Title Details

BISHOP CLAUDE E. PAYNE, D.D., has been the Episcopal Bishop of Texas since 1995, after having served as long-term rector of two Texas congregations. He lives in Houston, Texas. HAMILTON BEAZLEY, Ph.D., is associate professor of administrative sciences at The George Washington University. His areas of expertise are servant-leadership, emotional intelligence, and spirituality in organizations. He lives in Arlington, Virginia.

Contents.

1. Spiritual Hunger in America.

2. The Great Commission.

3. The New Apostolic Age.

4. Denominational Crisis, Denominational Opportunity.

5. The New Apostolic Denomination.

6. Implementing the Vision.

7. Changing Organizational Structure and Culture.

8. Managing Change.

9. Making Disciples.

10. Developing Congregations.

11. Missionary Congregations.

12. Apostolate of the Laity.

13. Apostolate of the Clergy.

14. Judicatory Leaders in the Missionary Church.

15. Communications and Technology.

16. Outreach, Christian Education, and Youth Ministry.

Epilogue.

References.

The Authors.

The Diocese of Texas.

Index.

"Payne has become known as an expert in church missions and growthwith the publication of his book "Reclaiming the Great Commission."(Houston, TX Chronicle, 2/2/02)

"Readers looking for a how-to guide will not be disappointed."(Anglican Theological Review, 3/02)"A model for all Christian churches . . . an uncomplicated anddoable plan of evangelization that can revitalize listless andmoribund congregations." (The Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza,Bishop of Galveston-Houston, president of the National Conferenceof Catholic Bishops)

"Reclaiming the Great Commission offers a message of hope and aplan of action for those who are concerned about the future of theChurch. It chronicles the success of a biblically based vision ofmission and community that has the potential to bring about themuch-needed transformation of all churches at all levels. Aninspiring and important read for clergy and laity alike." (The MostReverend and Right Honorable George L. Carey, Archbishop ofCanterbury)

"This is a truly important book. Those who want to transformtheir mainline congregations and denominations from maintenance tomission will find a game plan concrete enough to implement.Passionately argued, solidly grounded, battle-tested in reallife-here's real cause for hope!" (Bob Buford, founding chairman,Leadership Network)

"Comprehensive and compelling. . . . I highly recommAnd this asa resource for those striving to build up the Body of Christ."(Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The EpiscopalChurch)

"Which is the higher priority-taking care of today's members orreaching the unchurched? If you choose the second, this bookexplains how your denominational regional judicatory can betransformed to make that happen." (Lyle E. Schaller, parishconsultant)

"The Episcopal Diocese of Texas has done a 180! AttAndance,membership, giving, and mission are all on the upswing. What isproposed in this book is not a new paint job but a major renovationthat is remarkably aligned with the first-century church. (The Rev.Dr. David G. McKechnie, Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church,Houston)

"An inspiring gift . . . The exciting expectations described inthis book have given me a new sense of hope." (Bishop John WesleyHardt, Bishop-in-Residence, Perkins School of Theology, SouthernMethodist University)

"A valuable contribution to fellowships of believers everywhere. . . the model should work for congregations in any denominationor independent situation." (Jess C. Fletcher, chancellor,Hardin-Simmons University)

"A fascinating, thoughtful, and much-needed how-to book on therevitalization of the Episcopal Church-in fact, it's about allChristian churches. George and I highly recommAnd this book."(Barbara Bush)

"This book provides a faithful, gospel-centered, visionary, andpractical direction showing how the Church of Jesus Christ can movefrom maintenance to mission and embrace the new century withapostolic commitment and joyful expectation." (The Right ReverendHerbert Thompson, Jr., Episcopal Bishop of Southern Ohio)

"A church with bishops or a congregational polity can learnvaluable insights for enabling the church to become an alivemission movement in a dynamic change from a maintenance mode usingthe experiences described in this book." (J. Woodrod Hearn, BishopThe United Methodist Church) "A model for all Christian churches . . . an uncomplicated and doable plan of evangelization that can revitalize listless and moribund congregations." (The Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza, Bishop of Galveston-Houston, president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops)

"Reclaiming the Great Commission offers a message of hope and a plan of action for those who are concerned about the future of the Church. It chronicles the success of a biblically based vision of mission and community that has the potential to bring about the much-needed transformation of all churches at all levels. An inspiring and important read for clergy and laity alike." (The Most Reverend and Right Honorable George L. Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury)

"This is a truly important book. Those who want to transform their mainline congregations and denominations from maintenance to mission will find a game plan concrete enough to implement. Passionately argued, solidly grounded, battle-tested in real life-here's real cause for hope!" (Bob Buford, founding chairman, Leadership Network)

"Comprehensive and compelling. . . . I highly recommAnd this as a resource for those striving to build up the Body of Christ." (Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church)

"Which is the higher priority-taking care of today's members or reaching the unchurched? If you choose the second, this book explains how your denominational regional judicatory can be transformed to make that happen." (Lyle E. Schaller, parish consultant)

"The Episcopal Diocese of Texas has done a 180! AttAndance, membership, giving, and mission are all on the upswing. What is proposed in this book is not a new paint job but a major renovation that is remarkably aligned with the first-century church. (The Rev. Dr. David G. McKechnie, Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston)

"An inspiring gift . . . The exciting expectations described in this book have given me a new sense of hope." (Bishop John Wesley Hardt, Bishop-in-Residence, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University)

"A valuable contribution to fellowships of believers everywhere . . . the model should work for congregations in any denomination or independent situation." (Jess C. Fletcher, chancellor, Hardin-Simmons University)

"A fascinating, thoughtful, and much-needed how-to book on the revitalization of the Episcopal Church-in fact, it's about all Christian churches. George and I highly recommAnd this book." (Barbara Bush)

"This book provides a faithful, gospel-centered, visionary, and practical direction showing how the Church of Jesus Christ can move from maintenance to mission and embrace the new century with apostolic commitment and joyful expectation." (The Right Reverend Herbert Thompson, Jr., Episcopal Bishop of Southern Ohio)

"A church with bishops or a congregational polity can learn valuable insights for enabling the church to become an alive mission movement in a dynamic change from a maintenance mode using the experiences described in this book." (J. Woodrod Hearn, Bishop The United Methodist Church)