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Good Truth, But No Secrets

by Pete Ryder

October 16, 2012

@thepeteryder

As a Pastor and church leader, I am always looking for leadership and ministry ideas that will help reach more people with the life-changing message of Jesus. As I picked up ‘The Blessed Church,’ I was hopeful, yet wary of the subtitle: “The Simple Secret to Growing the Church You Love.” Knowing there really are no simple secrets to church growth, I read with caution…

Through the pages of his book, Pastor Morris shares from his heart about his experience planting and growing Gateway Church in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. God has indeed blessed the work there, and Pastor Morris seems to be a wonderful leader and man of God. In reading this book you will learn the story of Gateway, the challenges, successes, and even structure of what has worked for them in reaching many for Christ. You’ll also get the sense that some, if not much of the growth of Gateway has been at the expense of other churches in the area. I realize that’s not all bad and I resonate with Pastor Morris that they don’t steal sheep they just grow great grass, but that’s not one of the secrets I wanted to hang my ministry hat on.

That being said, there are a few good nuggets of truth in these pages, timeless principles that, although not necessarily secrets, are foundational to church growth. Things like spiritual vitality in worship, great preaching, and prayer are all essential to growing people and a church. Perhaps they’re ‘simple secrets’ because these days we pastors try to do so many other things instead of the basics.

If I had not received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in order to review it, I probably would not have trudged through to the end. Some good truth, but no secrets.