"Building the Body" (Gary L. McIntosh and Phil Stevenson)

TITLE: Building the Body: 12 Characteristics of a Fit Church
AUTHOR: Gary L. McIntosh and Phil Stevenson
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2018, (204 pages).

The Bible mentions several metaphors on the spiritual life. In the gospels, we have Jesus reminding us about the parable of the four types of soils. Without the right growth conditions, we cannot see fruit. In Jeremiah 2:15, we learn about perseverance that, "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?" Timothy was exhorted to fight the good fight (1 Tim 6:12) while Paul himself confessed to completing the race and keeping the faith. These highlight one common principle: Fitness. Just like the human body needs to be fit in order to be fruitful in our works, the Church as a body of Christ needs to be fit. How does the Church go about it? How do we measure a fit Church? The fitter the Church, the further she could go. A healthy human body would have a healthy cardiovascular endurance; robust muscular strength; sturdy muscular endurance; able flexibility; and balanced body composition. All these components are to be present. A healthy heart pumps fresh oxygen to nourish the whole body. Robust muscles help overcome resistance. Firm endurance provides strength to push on ahead. Flexibility enables one to embrace new challenges when they appear. A balanced body composition brings all these together in appropriate ways. In this book about spiritual fitness, readers get to hear 12 characteristics, compositions that would make a fit Church. Written by two experienced church leaders, Gary McIntosh and Phil Stevenson, we learn of fitness described through the characteristics of:

1. Outreach (Cardiovascular Endurance)
2. Effective Evangelism (Cardiovascular Endurance)
3. Community Engagement (Cardiovascular Endurance)
4. Personal Ministry (Muscular Strength)
5. God-Honoring Stewardship (Muscular Strength)
6. Leadership Development (Muscular Strength)
7. Christ-Exalting Worship (Muscular Endurance)
8. Disciple-Making Strategy (Muscular Endurance)
9. Pastoral Leadership (Muscular Endurance)
10. Loving Community (Flexibility)
11. Vision-Directed Systems (Flexibility)
12. Divine Enablement (Flexibility)

Undergirding these characteristics are five core beliefs from fitness to motivation; practicing discipleship and living missionally; and becoming multiplying churches. The authors examine each of the 12 characteristics in detail, allocating a chapter each to talk about how to identify the flaws, understand the need, grasp the opportunity, and design a plan of action. There is a summary of the key points at the end of the chapter for quick revision and reference. They go ahead to share how five different types of churches could use the model: 1) Beginner churches; 2) Novice churches; 3) Intermediate churches; 4) Advanced churches; 5) Elite churches. 

McIntosh and Stevenson conclude with a chapter on how to track each progress. 

Three Thoughts
First, churches are called to be fit with wholesome works, not fat with self-programming activities. I am glad that McIntosh and Stevenson have urged the Church to be fit inside that they may serve both inside and outside. Programs are essential components in all churches, some more, others less. Unfortunately, some churches have totally allowed programs as a measurement of their spiritual health. That is wrong. Just because a Church has a lot of programs does not necessarily mean that they are healthy. On the contrary, it may overwhelm the limited church budget and human resources. Like a careful jeweler examining a diamond,  the authors throw light on the fitness regimen from several angles. They see from the angle of Church Phase or types of churches. Using the five different church sizes and maturity from beginner to elite, they try to make this book applicable for all, if not most churches. At the same time, there could be different combinations of phases in different departments at every church. From the angle of plan of action, it helps readers and leaders to formulate appropriate steps toward the fitness goal. From the angle of the five key components of fitness, they enable us to see the bigger picture, that a healthy body involves the whole body, not just parts of it. From the angle of visible results, we have the 12 characteristics of a fit church. From the angle of ministry, we also see the purpose of achieving and maintaining a healthy Church, that we be more effective and fruitful. All these makes this book a balanced one.

Second, the names of the five churches may be uncomfortable to some readers. Like the "elite churches" could be easily misunderstood as it may bring in thoughts of elitism and aloofness. It is an unfortunate use of the word "elite." I would prefer to call it "optimal" or "mature" church. "Advanced" churches could also be called "Healthy" or "Above Average" in fitness. I understand why the authors have called it as they did due to the runner's model. An elite runner will be able to run the distance strongly, compared to beginner runners. Seen in this context, it would make sense. Still, due to cultural differences in a pluralistic environment, it will be more helpful to perhaps choose a different word to avoid negative connotations.

My third comment is a critique. Another thing that might be confusing is the differentiation of health and fitness. The phrase "All fit churches are healthy, but not all healthy churches are fit" can be thought-provoking, yet baffling. For some, health and fitness could easily mean the same thing. What the authors are trying to say is that fitness is the goal; health is slightly beneath this attribute. Maybe, if I were to interpret in terms of exercise and testing, it will make some sense. Take faith for instance. A faith that is not tested can make one doubt its authenticity. A Church may look and feel good when the conditions are favourable. Put in a few trials and conflicts and we will then see how good this same Church may look or feel. Thus, a healthy body that is not put to an exercise test may not be authentic. True health is one that withstands the tests of time and pressure. This time and pressure is fitness.

All in all, I think there are many good take-aways from this book. It works effectively as a reference as I doubt if any one church would be able to simultaneously work on all of them together. Planning to incorporate all of them is one thing. Implementation of it is another. This calls for wisdom and discernment that is so essential for the spirituality of Church people.

Gary McIntosh is an internationally known speaker who has written over 25 books and contributed hundreds of articles to various publications. He is consultant to churches on leadership, pastoral ministry, missional church initiatives, strategic changes, church growth, etc. He is also president of the Church Growth Network and Professor of Christian ministry at Talbot School of Theology. Phil Stevenson serves as district superintendent of the Pacific Southwest District of the Wesleyan Church. He is a visiting professor at six universities and seminaries.

Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Books and Graf-Martin Communications without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.