The Big Four: Secrets to a Thriving Church Family

About the author:

Joseph Kidder spent decades as a pastor before becoming a professor of Christian Ministry at Andrews University Theological Seminary, Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States of America. There he teaches in the areas of spiritual growth, church growth, evangelism, leadership, and discipleship. He travels extensively conducting church growth seminars.

About the Book:

The Big Four: Secrets to a Thriving Church Family is a 159-page easy-to-read resource published in Hagerstown, Maryland by Review and Herald Publishing Association in 2011. This book is a product of a four year survey of several churches in North America.

The findings of the research suggest that church growth is strongly related to four crucial factors: effective and empowering leadership, passionate and authentic spirituality, committed and active laity, and God-exalting worship.

Kidder begins in section one (pp. 17 – 26) by noting that the church is in the world to – glorify God’s name, edify the body of Christ, and extend his kingdom. These purposes, according to him, hinge on the biblical foundation of church growth, health, and evangelism. Kidder clearly shows that gratitude to Christ, obedience to the great commission, love for others, the conviction that Christ is with us, are pivotal motivating factors for evangelism.

In section two (pp. 27 – 65), Kidder argues lucidly that much of the success of the church depends on leadership. Leadership creates a conducive environment for spiritual growth. Leadership empowers and encourages others to serve God and others passionately, thereby stimulating growth.  Spiritual leadership is best patterned after the style of Jesus.

Authentic spirituality and a virulent prayer life are discussed as an integral secret of church health in section three (pp. 67 – 101). Church vitality and growth is intrinsically tied to connection with God. People are attracted to authentic and life changing faith expressions.  Kidder emphasizes the indispensable place of prayer by arguing that a growing church is not a prayerless church or a church with prayer, but a church of prayer.

Section four (pp. 103 – 136) deals with the fundamental role of a committed and active laity in fostering church health and growth. Kidder notes that a total member involvement in evangelism is a recipe for exponential growth. Oikos ministry, people-oriented ministry instead of a program oriented one, and a process-focused evangelism instead an event-focused one, will spur members to actively enlist in witnessing.

Kidder agrees in section five (137 – 147) that church renewal is always connected with worship renewal. Worship that promotes church health allows worshippers to feel God’s presence; is grace, love and hope filled; transforms them; inspires them for service; and is excellent.

The book concludes in section six (149 – 159)  by asserting that unceasing prayer, cultivating spirituality, faith-based optimism, vision of a growing church, relationships with existing leaders, empowering others to lead, improvement in things and worship service, simplifying the church process, and utilizing critical thinking are ten easy but thorough steps that will help revive any church, or help sustain a thriving one.

The Big Four: Secrets to a Thriving Church Family is recommended to pastors, church leaders, laity, elders, Sabbath school teachers, church board members, student pastors, evangelists, and anyone who wishes to see spiritually robust and thriving congregations doing the work of mission to prepare spiritually healthy people for the coming kingdom.

Reviewed by John Okpechi