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The temptation to focus only on their own internal problems and issues is powerful for congregations. Without realizing it, even churches that have along tradition of outreach and social involvement become centered on issues of institutional survival and preservation. Worst of all are congregations that adopt a 'fortress mentality,' addressing the larger community rarely, and only in the 'language of Zion' when they do. In this book, Paul Nixon paints a picture of what community-based ministry is all about. Drawing on his experiences within a congregation that has seen twenty-five years of increased worship attendance, he lays out practical steps that churches can take to plant themselves firmly within the lives of the communities they serve. Written with an infectious sense of hope, this book will become a critical tool for church leaders seeking to transform their congregations into outward-looking.
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