Book Description
In this provocative book, author, consultant, and church leadership developer Reggie McNeal debunks these and other old assumptions and provides an overall strategy to help church leaders move forward in an entirely different and much more effective way. In The Present Future, McNeal identifies the six most important realities that church leaders must address including: recapturing the spirit of Christianity and replacing "church growth" with a wider vision of kingdom growth; developing disciples instead of church members; fostering the rise of a new apostolic leadership; focusing on spiritual formation rather than church programs; and shifting from prediction and planning to preparation for the challenges of an uncertain world. McNeal contends that by changing the questions church leaders ask themselves about their congregations and their plans, they can frame the core issues and approach the future with new eyes, new purpose, and new ideas.
Also available: The Present Future DVD Collection (978-0-7879-8673-5), Reggie McNeal's DVD presentation of the ideas and insights featured in his best-selling book.
Customer Reviews:
The New Church.......2007-09-11
Excellent book which speaks to the problems the modern church faces. Gives specific information and direction to deal with current issues. I have found this work tremendously useful in advocating change for the church I serve as pastor.
One that must be read........2007-07-25
This book explores the emergent church culture. The book's focus is on missional living within a ever changing culture. The books deals with the changing paradigm of modernism to postmodernism. Some church leaders would consider this book radical, but this book is helpful in providing a proper perspective on reaching out in faith. It is a plea to change churchianity into Christianity. Because of the influence of mega-church culture, we have been seduced into selling Christianity like a product on the open market, the book presents a way to authentically change the community for Christ.
Church Transformation.......2007-05-24
While many will be turned off by the author's strong language and seeming 'over stating' of the case; most of what McNeal says and recommends rings true. The church in North America is dying and dying rather fast as seem by the exodus of members and churches from the major denominations. If you are a leader - and especially a pastor - in a church you need to study this book (preferable with the rest of your team) and seriously consider what and how you are going to respond to the new world order. Unlike the Boomer Generation who have `grown up' and for the most part taken their responsible position in leadership in the ministries of the church, this current last generation (Millenniest or Matrix) are not likely to do that. They are looking for something better and God may indeed pass by the North American Church to accomplish His purpose in reaching the entire world with the Love of Jesus for the Glory of God.
The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church.......2007-05-15
Excellent book! SO HELPFUL!
Thought Provoking.......2007-05-13
This book will challenge you as it unfolds the truth of many churches in North America. At times you will want to stop reading and toss it to the side. Other times you find yourself in total agreement. Reggie demonstrates great courage as he asks questions most Christians don't want to ask about their church. The DVD series is even better as it presents the same tough questions through the caring style of Reggie McNeal.
Book Description
A concise and user-friendly guide to the essentials for conducting a meeting by the official Robert's Rules of Order authorship committee.
In a club, a condo association, or a board of overseers, how is business carried over from one meeting to the next? How is a meeting best kept on track? Who keeps the order and who decides what the agenda will be in the first place?
The answers to these concerns of assembly can be found in the rulebook of orderly meetings: Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised 10th Edition. But weighing in at over 700 pages, at least 80 percent of its content will be needed less than 20 percent of the time. Those not well versed in parliamentary procedure can find themselves lost while trying to get guidance on the everyday basics.
The solution? Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised Concise. Written by the officially sanctioned Robert's Rules of Order authorship team, this short and user-friendly "cheat-sheet" of a guide briefs readers on the rules most often needed at meetings--from debates and amendments to votes and nominations. With sample dialogues, helpful references to the "big" book throughout, and handy tips for elected or appointed officials, Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief is the essential abbreviated meeting rulebook.
Customer Reviews:
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief.......2007-10-03
The Rules You Need In A Meeting (made simple and easy) is a must for anyone conducting or participating in a meeting covered by the Robert's Rules of Order.
Excellent, of course!.......2007-09-26
Just can't beat Robert's Rules of Order. Purchased to bring to Board Meetings for our regular monthly Home Owner Association. Would make a perfect gift to new Board members, or for the entire group as a handy reference.
A handy reference.......2007-06-11
A concise, well organized list of the important Rules Of Order in a size that easily fits into a brief case or purse. It even tells you which chapters are most important to read based on the amount of time you have to invest.
Just what my family needed.......2007-06-10
I've felt for years that dinner conversations among my wife, my son, and me have lacked any kind of formality. It seems that synopses of the day's events, proposals for upcoming family activities, and decision making about such matters as "in what order should we wash the dishes...silverware first, or glassware first?" were being made in a way that could, at best, be described as wildly haphazard.
And so it was that my wife proposed (and my son seconded) that we impose a bit of rigor into the proceedings of the evening meal. This seemed, at first, to be the ideal solution to the chaotic approach to eating to which we had become sadly accustomed. But a new problem immediately arose: Who will decide on a set of guidelines by which we can all abide? We wanted rules, but we had no set of "metarules" to guide us in how to develop, vote on, and approve the dinner rules.
Needless to say, whenever our family is stuck in this kind of self-referential loop of "what rules do we use to guide us in creating a set of rules?", we consulted Amazon. I soon stumbled upon both Roberts Rules of Order, and this "Brief" version of the original. I laughed immediately at the idea of using an unabridged version of Robert's Rules to govern our family dinner conversations. To impose that level of formality on something as informal as dinner seemed a bit crazy, if you ask me. But the "brief" version of Robert's Rules is just what the family needs.
Family conversations in the evening have improved (as best we can measure) threefold. My seven-year-old son has learned to listen attentively to proposals, and to consider all discussed points before voting on issues such as what time to go to bed on school nights, and whether to eat a piece of fruit or a piece of candy for a bedtime snack. My wife has learned that the minutes she prepares for the evening meal need not be (indeed, should not be) filled with details about what was said. Instead, she focuses on "what happened" at each meal. This has cut nearly in half the amount of time it takes her to write up the minutes, giving her a little extra time to focus on preparing the martini she hands me when I get home from the office. That little extra time has made the martini both a little dryer, and a little dirtier (she now has time to add a little olive juice...try it!).
In short, if you are looking to better organize your family's dinner meetings, and your martinis are becoming rather lackluster, Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief might be just the solution.
Clear and concise.......2007-05-21
Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, does precisely what it says it will do: it sets out clearly and concisely the distillation of decades of parliamentary procedure. Unfortunately (unless the organization is writing laws that will affect people's lives and livelihoods), if one needs this book in order to resolves disputes, the organization is probably in deeper trouble than can be fixed by a mere book. Still we soldier on. This is one more tool to assist in developing effective leadership, but isn't much help when it comes to coping with troublemakers.
Book Description
With over 150,000 copies sold, this comprehensive look at the role and function of elders brings all the advantages of shared leadership into focus. Beginning with the four broad categories of eldership (leading, feeding, caring, and protecting), Biblical Eldership explores the essential work of elders, their qualifications (including why qualifications are necessary), their relationships with each other, and each of the biblical passages related to eldership. Written for those seeking a clear understanding of the mandate for biblical eldership, this full-length, expository book defines it accurately, practically, and according to Scripture.
"Mr. Strauch has made a fine contribution to the subject of eldership. I am confident that it will be helpful to many." — John MacArthur, Jr., Pastor-Teacher, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA
"At last, a thorough biblical study on the basis of church government and especially the function and ministry of elders! New churches will find it a valuable guideline to effective functioning and older churches will find it a trustworthy corrective." — Ray Stedman, former pastor and elder, Peninsula Bible Church, Palo Alto, CA
"An excellent text for the study of eldership by young and older men interested in the work of an elder. Strauch is a man of gift and experience, and I am grateful for his work." — S. Lewis Johnson, Professor Emeritus of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
Customer Reviews:
Eldership Training.......2007-05-24
This book along with the Workbook and Mentor's Guide are a great help to preparing leadership for the Church. Strauch does a fine job communicating the qualifications, and duties of an Elder. I believe it to be one of the best resources for Eldership training.
An opinion........2006-08-16
Most of the teaching in this book was helpful in pulling out the scriptures which related to a particular subject heading. However, the author's interpretation of the scriptures and understanding of the culture during the times the scriptures were written was, in many places, poor.
The chapter about leadership being male was interesting. He really had to go round the houses to justify what he believed.
This book is one man's interpretation and opinion, and should be read as such.
Sound Biblical exploration of Eldership.......2006-08-10
Strauch builds a strong case for the importance of eldership--not just any eldership but eldership as described in the New Testament. Biblical elders, Strauch argues, are not board members or advisors to the pastor, but are themselves called to pastor, lead, protect, and care for the church. They are not subordinate to the pastor, but part of a collaborative team of equals each with needed gifts. Elders must be qualified men, but the qualification isn't seminary: the biblical qualification lies in being mature men of character who are motivated to serve. Strauch presents his points clearly and with strong Biblical support, also adding historical and cultural data to back up his interpretation. Strauch's presentation is a bit redundant, in part because he makes the points above in the first section, supporting them with Scripture, and he later goes sequentially through each of the same Scriptures in more detail to show how and why he has interpreted each verse in the New Testament that mentions eldership. The redundancy is not all bad, especially since this model of eldership--while Biblical--does not appear to be practiced in most churches: the repetition and detailed analysis may indeed be useful to those for whom these concepts are new. While Strauch adequately ties his reflections into life--there are clear practical implications--for the reader who isn't already in a church that practices these principles, a bit more practical, real-life example--how we've seen these principle work in practice, how to get there from here type reflection might be useful. Nonetheless, Strauch's Biblical Eldership is a must-read for anyone seriously interested in exploring what the New Testament says about how the church should be lead.
Biblical Eldership.......2006-07-31
This is the best book concerning the understanding (biblically) and the role of elders in the church I have ever seen. The author exigetically, as well as topically, takes the reader through a very comprehensive tour of what the Bible has to say about eldership in the local church. I cannot imagine how anyone could do a more thorough or biblical study on the subject of eldership.
Must read for all (future) churchleaders.......2005-12-30
This is a must read for every serious christian. Strauch show from biblical examples what an elder is supposed te be and do: not a CEO, but a shepherd, garding, feeding and caring for His flock.
Book Description
Churches have tried all kinds of ways to attract new and younger members - revised vision statements, hipper worship, contemporary music, livelier sermons, bigger and better auditoriums. But there are still so many people who aren't being reached, who don't want to come to church. And the truth is that attendance at church on Sundays does not necessarily transform lives; God's presence in our hearts is what changes us. Leaders and laypeople everywhere are realizing that they need new and more powerful ways to help them spread God's Word. According to international church starter and pastor Neil Cole, if we want to connect with young people and those who are not coming to church, we must go where people congregate. Cole shows readers how to plant the seeds of the Kingdom of God in the places where life happens and where culture is formed - restaurants, bars, coffeehouses, parks, locker rooms,and neighborhoods. Organic Church offers a hands-on guide for demystifying this new model of church and shows the practical aspects of implementing it.
Customer Reviews:
Four star review.......2007-08-27
Haven't read the book yet but leafing through it it looks good and attention holding...
Really real - and really effective .......2007-07-23
I saw organic church on a bookshelf a couple of years ago. I avoided it because of the title (remember don't judge a book by it's cover?). It seemed a little trendy - maybe even too pop culture. I was looking for some good discipleship material when I came across another book that I had read by Neil Cole (author). When I discovered that this was the same author of Organic Church, I thought that I would give it a quick read.
Organic Church was maybe the best book that I have ever read! It connected the book of Acts with the 21st century. It was inspiring and innovative. And it has put me in a postition to reconsider what it means to be a disciple and to make disciples. It is a very honest and very realistic look at church as we know it. It exposes the weakness in the church, and doesn't hide it's own weaknesses. It is not theoretic, analytic, or synthetic - it's just real - natural. It ends up that being organic means being effective.
What makes a church?.......2007-05-18
I enjoyed Cole's thinking outside the pizza box, his passion for evangelism, and his rather sound explanations of new testament era churches. He does a good job in explaining the biblical idea about the priesthood of believers. I liked the critical thinking about engaging the culture.
But, What makes a church?
It didn't go into much detail about the individual churches themselves, how they are structured, or what makes them definably different than a traditional small group. It read as if any small group of people that organized themselves would have been called a church. Perhaps he lays out further development somewhere and I've not yet come across it.
I'm not sure what separates these little churches from small groups disconnected from a church. He doesn't interact with the rich theological history of the marks of a church, which in my confessional tradition (Presbyterian) are
1. The pure preaching of the Word of God as sound doctrine,
2. Administration of the sacraments,
3. The exercise of discipline
The point here is not to debate tradition, the validity of how many marks define the church visible or invisible, but rather how to blend the material in the book into the richness of good sound theological tradition.
Pastor Chris
Touching the Heart of the matter.......2007-05-12
This book is awesome. I am a connoisseur of faith in Jesus having started churches and or served in a variety of capacities for more years than I can remember. I've always puzzled over our present western practice of church and the visible practice of church in its origination. What we read in the New Testament is more like a release of a plague of God spreading eveywhere, delivered in power from believer to unbeliever in live demonstrations of the Ascended Jesus.
Finally - a 'go to'model of Jesus that is free to once again spread the life of Christ in a plague like viral fashion, unencumbered by grasps of men for control and power and to make a name for themselves - "Look at me, I'm king of the hill." Church as a business is one of the most foolish concepts we've ever adopted.
Read this book. It will ruin you if you let it. And then you can get on with serving Christ and not something else. It's possible if the western church doesn't go this way by choice, it may still end up going this way, but by some other means. Either way, the model may well be the most correct I've seen, and the most viral in bringing "the Cure" to our fellow diseased travelers here on planet earth.
A Model for The Great Commission.......2007-03-21
Over 10 years ago I attended a "Superconference" in Reno, NV where a young pastor named Neil Cole shared a revolutionary concept called Life Transformation Groups (LTG's). I was so impressed with his simple concept that I began to use them in my own church and my own life and have been in one nearly continuously for all of the intervening years. I have watched it transform my life and that of every person I discipled that remained committed to it for any length of time.
Some 5 years ago I had a professor in seminary named Dr. Thom Wolfe. Just as Neil Cole describes in his book, Thom shared the Universal Disciple/ Church on a napkin in Starbucks (his favorite place).
At the time I met him Neil was pastoring a growing church in Southern California and his commitment to scripture and the priesthood of all believers showed in every way. At the time I met him Thom Wolfe was Chair of the Kim School of Intercultural Studies at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. Today both men are successfully planting churches and making disciples in large numbers. Neil is in the USA and Thom is Central Asia.
Some have written reviews critical of the methods described in the book or written as if Cole is attacking the way church is done in general. This is a point, but it is not his primary point. The proof is in the doing. The methods described in this book are solidly biblical, coming primarily from Paul's model of church as found in Colossians 3-4 and in other places. Unfortunately, Cole does not share Wolfe's actual drawing (I will email it to anyone who asks). I have often wondered how Paul could go into Thessalonica for two weeks and leave a thriving church behind. That question is answered in these pages.
Though I dearly love Neil, I have to drop this review to four stars because I think that his message about how to do church in a way that reproduces rapidly and easily gets lost in his sometime polemic against the established church. This is clear in so many reviews that have missed the main point of the book. Yet, every Christian can still benefit by reading this book with an open mind. I strongly encourage you to do so.
Book Description
Foundations are a peculiarly American institution. They have been the dynamo of social change since their invention at the beginning of the last century. Yet they are cloaked in secrecy- their decision-making and operations are inscrutable to the point of obscurity-leaving them substantially unaccountable to anyone.
Joel Fleishman has been in and around foundations for almost half a century...running them, sitting on their boards, and seeking grants from them. And in this groundbreaking book he explains the history of foundations, tells the stories of the most successful foundation initiatives-and of those that have failed-and explains why it matters.
The baby boomer generation is going to participate in the largest transfer of wealth in history when it passes on its assets to its successor generation. The third sector is about to become more powerful than ever. This book shows how foundations can provide a vital spur to the engine of the American, and the world's, economy-if they are properly established and run.
Customer Reviews:
Examining a Big but Little Known Area.......2007-03-09
Foundations are a subset of Non-Profit organizations that have become surprisingly big busines in the United States. Somewhere around 1/7th of the business in the country is conducted by these organizations. Somewhere around 1/9th of the workforce is employed by one. They have become an integral part of the American economy.
In this book Mr. Fleishman looks at Foundations (a number of which he has been associated as employee, trustee or some other capacity). He examines what makes a foundation successful, and how some have failed. He offers insight and advice on how to make a foundation more successful, and at the same time how foundations should have an obligation to become more accountable since they received special tax considerations from the Government. He suggests that this accountability should be done by the foundations voluntarily. However, Mr. Fleishman is an attorney and believes that if voluntary response is not forthcoming then new legal requirements should be placed upon them to require more openness.
Deserves serious reading from people who want to make a difference........2007-02-06
Joel Fleishman's book lays an excellent bedrock of history underneath its discussion of philanthropy as a great element of American tradition. We live in days of some staggering examples - from Warren Buffet's living bequest of billions, to the fine work of Bill and Melinda Gates - and many others. But rather than see this as some product of the new millennium - Fleishman shows how the new avatars of corporate generosity are following a fine tradition. More than this, the author shows that certain gifting strategies have been leveraged for huge social benefit. For those who are thinking - at whatever scale - of giving to support a cause, this book sets out the strategies that have produced most benefit. This is an excellent, thoughtful piece of work on a topic that currently has wide currency. Well worth reading.
Book Description
Reclaiming the Great Commission describes a biblically based model that can restore the missionary power of first-century Christianity to twenty-first century denominations and their congregations. Based on shared vision and mission, the model can guide the members of any congregation or denomination into deeper and broader evangelism, an enhanced experience of community, and a renewed hope of personal and spiritual transformation.
Customer Reviews:
THE place to start the discussion about mainline renewal.......2005-10-24
In the last fifteen years or so there have been a zillion books written about mainline renewal. Most of them were written by consultants like Lyle Schaller or academics like Will Willimon. Most of them show a lack of real world concreteness. Payne and Beazley provide an cure for that problem
They take the changes made in the ministry of the most hidebound, change resistant group in the Protestant world-the Episcopal Church-and show what they did in Texas. They deal with real world problems and real world solutions. They call the organizational structure of the church to again become responsive to the needs of local churches and communities and work to accomplish the ministry of the church instead of perpetuate the structure at any cost. The one particular tool they developed that caught my eye was Team 1000 a plan to raise $1 million yearly for church development. Also important was the reminder that some churches we start will never be self supporting, but we as a church have an obligation to support them because the ministry is the right thing to do. Further it shows how important it is to have a leader who is willing to expend his/her leadership capital to accomplish what needs to be done
I highly recomend this book for anyone who has an interest in structural reorganization of denominations, or for those who have given up on the possibility of reform within their own judicatory bodies.
Church as mission outpost.......2005-08-19
This is a literate description of how the Anglican Church in Texas turned several hundred Churches into successful mission outposts. Well-written and helpful for the would-be mission Church.
Must Read.......2003-06-03
In a time of "Church Growth" gurus, books, and workshops - it is very refreshing to have a book that doesn't focus on bells and whistles and technological ways to manipulate, but calls the church back to the mission given by Christ - to go into the world with the transformative Christian faith. If only those of us in mainline denominations would be willing to lift our eyes off of agendas, useless meetings and other distactions and consider "Reclaiming the Great Commission." Mission, not maintenance, is the call of this book, bringing the focus of the church on God, people, and relationships. Shared vision founded in Biblical faith is the key for the local congregation and the larger church. I recommend this to pastors, priests, lay leaders, bishops, and all who are interested in sharing the Gospel.
Building the church of Christ or building a denomination?.......2003-05-04
The author says the present generation church can be like the first generation church, but how can that be? The first church had 'the same' gospel, there was only 'one denomination' at that time and they were simply called Christians. There was no need for denominations in the early church because disciples all believed 'exactly the same things'. To say the present church can be like the first is to not understand the first.
The teachings in this book merely show how to run a successful corporation for that is was this present generation of many churches has become.
Every Church Vision Should Model This Book.......2001-10-22
Our church is using this book as a model for its vision for the year 2001. Our Daughters of the King prayer group is using this book as its study for the coming year.
Book Description
The Economy Edition is perfect for people who value a well constructed, reasonably priced prayer book. It is also suitable for mass distribution in schools and for use as a pew prayer book. Black hardcover binding, gold cross, Presentation Page, square corners.
Customer Reviews:
Great Prayers For Ecumenical Services.......2007-06-02
I have found this book to be of great value in my Ecumenical relations with other faiths.
I have also found for myself a deep spiritual renewal in reading this book.
I recommend this Book of Common Prayer to all that value the wisdom within other faiths.
Very Good!.......2007-05-14
Well, I can't rate the BCP anything but positive. My only concern was I failed to read the size of the book and it was smaller then I would have liked, the pages are thin, but at the same time feel very "strong." It has the Daily Office and the complete Psalter. If only I had read the dimensions, I am sure I would have opted for a larger addition. If you don't have problems with smaller print, then by all means purchase this copy, you can't be the price. Also the binding it very good, the book while small, lays flat, whch is a really nice in a hardcover book of this size.
Review of BCP.......2007-03-25
I was pleased with this book, as well as for the speed of delivery. Thanks.
the other good book.......2007-03-24
This book was so good, I used it in my wedding!
Book of Uncommon prayer.......2007-03-23
A wonderful size to tuck in a backpack or purse, I love the language of the liturgy and the realm of spiritual union they create between the reader and God. Nicely bound, delicate paper.
Book Description
If you belong to any type of organization—from school board to garden club to bowling league to trade association—chances are this book can save you many boring meeting minutes. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised is the current authoritative guide for properly conducting everything from sessions of the U.S. Senate or House of Representative to meetings of neighborhood associations. This friendly guide translates Robert’s Rules into principles you can understand and apply the next time Billy Bully tries to dominate the discussion or Debbie Dictator issues another edict. If you’ve ever been frustrated at the way condominium association business was (or wasn’t) conducted or fidgeted while PTA members debated whether to have goldfish or pencils as prizes for the elementary school carnival, this is the book for you. Written by a Professional Registered Parliamentarian, it covers:
- The basics of bylaws that establish the real framework of your organization, and nine things that should be covered
- The requirements for a legal meeting
- How to use an agenda to plan your meeting and keep things on track
- Following the standard order of business
- How to put ideas into motion and the eight steps to handling a motion
- Voting procedure and different methods of voting
- The functions and characteristics of seven subsidiary motions, five privileged motions, fifteen incidental motions, and four motions which bring a question again before the assembly
- Nomination procedures, holding elections, and making appointments
With Robert’s Rules For Dummies, you’ll not only discover how to hold more effective meetings, you’ll get advice for dealing with malcontents or monopolizers who can disrupt, derail, or prolong meetings. And if you’re in a leadership position, you’ll get great information on:
- Running meetings efficiently and fairly
- Effectively using standing and special committees
- Ensuring proper paperwork, including minutes, treasurer’s reports, committee reports, and more
- Handling discipline or removing officers or members
Complete with a glossary of parliamentary terms and sample agendas, reports, and minutes, this guide has everything you need but a gavel. Whether you belong to an elite country club or a civic organization, an investment club or a volunteer fire department, when you use the principles in this book, meetings won’t be dominated by the loudest or pushiest member or go on and on and on and on and on….
Customer Reviews:
First Rate!.......2007-10-04
I own the book and have even had a question answered by the author. The book is first rate. I highly recommend "Dummies." Its made me less of one!
Roberts Rules of Order for Dummies.......2007-08-26
Very helpful by its simplicity. Great as a quick reference in order to then go to Roberts Rules of Order for a more indepth answer.
Robert's for Dummies works!.......2007-08-25
This was actually for my wife, who is currently parliamentarian for a local non-profit organization, which she has some prior experience at. Nonetheless, as soon as the book arrived, she curled up and read it "cover to cover" and made a bunch of notes from it to share with others. Next thing I knew, she was putting her official Robert's Rules away in storage, so like many of the "Dummies" books, this seems to be the practical knowledge most of us actually need.
Robert's Rules for Dummies.......2007-03-08
Great way to get a fast handle on chairing meetings. The meeting I chaired after reading this book went so much smoother than the previous meetings. Would recommend this book for any new board member. Also provides a quick reference for seldom used procedural issues that arrise.
This book is a must have for presiding officers!.......2007-02-14
This book can easily be read cover to cover in one sitting, then can be used as a reference book for questions pertaining to parlimentary procedure. I especially appreciate the author's understanding of the psychology of presiding, not just the Rules.
Book Description
"This book should be in the library of everyone who serves--or aspires to serve--on the governing board of any organization, large or small, nonprofit or corporate. Better than any other available resource, it tells what the roles of board members are and what they must and shouldn't do. An indispensable guidebook to leadership excellence."
--George Weber, secretary general, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva
"John Carver's Boards That Make a Difference was required reading for board members of the Calgary Philharmonic Society. It provided a clear and concise road map with which we carried out significant governance restructuring of the society."
James M. Stanford, president & CEO,, Petro-Canada, and past chairman of the Calgary Philharmonic Society, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
John Carver's groundbreaking Policy Governance model has influenced the way public and nonprofit boards operate around the world. Now, as widespread experience with the model continues to grow, Carver enriches his definitive exposition with updated policy samples, a new chapter on the process of policy development, and additional resources for various types of boards. He debunks the entrenched beliefs about board roles and functions that hamper dedicated board members. With creative insight and commonsense practicality, Carver presents a bold new approach to board job design, board-staff relationships, the chief executive role, performance monitoring, and virtually every aspect of the board-management relationship. In their stead, he offers a board model designed to produce policies that make a difference, missions that are clearly articulated, standards that are ethical and prudent, meetings, officers, and committees that work; and leadership that supports the fulfillment of long-term goals.
Customer Reviews:
Very Helpful.......2003-04-01
The world is full of experts at what is wrong with the things that we do. Dr. Carver has a rock-solid, well thought out suggestion concerning how to do it right. One reviewer complained that Dr. Carver's suggestions are not realistic. Right is not often realistic, but right is always right. It's far better to start with an ideal and compromise from that point than to capitulate from the outset. Boards that Make a Difference is well worth reading.
Idealistic.......1999-06-27
The carver style of governance is a tad idealistic and perhaps overly optimistic. I have read everything Dr Carver has written concerning this field and enjoy this material at an academic level. But when it comes to operationalizing this model in boardrooms I've seen it fail time and time again. Not to say that the model is flawed because in fact the model is normative and conceptually complete. However it doesn't capture that element of reality from which, in my experience, the model requires - practicality and real-world application. Dr Carver's notion that Boards can do without Finance and Audit Committees is very naive. Most consultants from the chartered accountant genre are saying the complete opposite. In fact most government policy initiatives are moving toward more control of financial affairs of organizations for boards from charts of accounts to fiscal policy. So I don't think the elimination of Finance and Audit Committees is realistic nor is it a terribly bright suggestion. I guess my only crticism is that the carver model is far to idealistic and philosophical for a practical application in the form Dr Carver suggests. Sorry but a hybrid model of traditional Board governance and the carver model may work given the commitment required from directors to follow-though on everything suggested in that system of governance,
A must-have for not-for-profits!.......1999-03-29
This book was the core piece of a radical change in our board room. It led us down the path we knew we wanted to go but didn't know how to get there. His model for board room organization could revolutionize boards of companies in transition, like those of the rural electric program in America. It's a road map for where you already know in your heart that you want to go.
Essential for public boards seeking to lead strategically.......1999-01-27
After 5 years on a local Board of Education I finally found a book that describes everything I know is wrong with board management practices in schools and nonprofit organizations. But that is the easy part. Carver offers sound alternatives to current practices that put the responsibility and the capability for strategic leadership right where it belongs--on the board.
I winced as I read Carver's description of reactive boards trapped in the "approval syndrome" in which boards rely on staff to bring issues and recommendations to them for approval. This pervasive practice not only takes board members out of the driver's seat, but it confuses the lines of accountability between the board and the CEO for the organization.
Carver offers a framework for changing all that by forcing the board to rethink all of its policy with an eye toward board-determined policies that operate at the highest level possible. In Carver's approach only four types of policies need to be set by the board: 1) "Ends" policies (board expectations), 2) Executive Limitations (the "don'ts" for the organization), 3) Board process policies and 4) Board-CEO relationship policies. *Everything* you need to be involved in can be fit into one of these four categories.
Want to learn how to stop working at the staff level and how to help your organization find a true sense of direction? Carver's book offers practical and straightforward ways of getting there.
Accessible, Codified Common Sense.......1999-01-24
Mr. Carver presents a very readable way of looking at how governing boards should work. His theories are logical and his arguments pursuasive. He offers board members an intellectual framework to consider how their organizations are running. The book is prescriptive, but not preachy. I was very surprised to find it sensible after hearing so much hype from "converts" to his method.
Amazon.com
Since Robert's Rules of Order first was published in 1896, it's been the means to orderly, smooth, and fairly conducted meetings. This ninth edition of the famous manual of parliamentary procedure includes everything from the first edition, but all of the information is clarified, cross-referenced, and carefully indexed. "Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty," said General Henry M. Robert, and his gift of order is as indispensable now as it was a century ago.
Book Description
The only authorized parliamentary procedure guide, completely revised and updated by the authorized Robert's Rules Authorship Committee.
Originally published as a slim document in 1896, General Henry M. Robert's classic guide to smooth, orderly, and fairly conducted meetings has sold close to five million copies in nine editions. The only book containing the completely developed Robert's Rules of Order subject matter, this latest edition will continue the book's reputation as the gold standard of meeting procedure for parliamentarians and novice club presidents and members alike. Thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the past decade's technological advances and usage, this tenth edition contains new information on how to conduct meetings over the Internet, on phone and video conference calls, and with members in absentia. The best book from which to learn all about running and taking an effective part in meetings, General Robert's gift of order is as indispensable now as it was a century ago.
Customer Reviews:
I needed it, and I bought it........2007-09-16
I had to have this, due to meetings that I was attending. I was glad that I could get it from Amazon, instead of drive to a book store two hours away. I live " in the country".
Very comprehensive.......2007-09-13
I do very light parliamentary work mostly in committee meetings (say as Secretary/Treasurer), but wanted the most authoritative reference I could have for those occasional times when I really want to know fully how to handle a situation, like 'can anyone just call a question and stop discussion'? No, it takes 2/3 vote to shut off debate. Or, should the names of the people who make a motion and second be in the minutes or does the board vote as a whole and so any detail like that would take away from the vote as a whole? The book says the motioner's name should be in unless it's a minor matter and not the seconder's name. I've got Roberts Rules in Plain English which is pretty good too, but I suppose this is a case where I just wondered what more detail I was missing and, after decades of hearing about it, I just decided to go ahead and get it. And I'm glad I did.
(By the way, I like meetings to be quick, efficient and effective, as Im sure most people do. I find compared to just having a group sitting around chatting, that using a 'light' form of parliamentary procedure really brings each matter to a close more quickly and helps move my meetings along.)
Review.......2007-08-23
Robert's is a must have if you are administrating meetings of an association. It provides the knowledge to run a sensible meeting with little conflict.
It is THE authority, after all.......2007-07-16
What can you really say about RR? This is _the_ authority on parliamentary procedure, and the new revision is great. It has really brought RR up to the present, handling things like tele/videoconferences, e-mail, etc. It also does a nice job of clarifying some points, always by going back to the basic principles behind the rules. This is definitely an improvement over the 9th edition -- worth spending the money to upgreade.
Robert's Rules have helped me .......2007-07-09
I bought Robert's Rules of Order because I live in a Homeowner's Association that is not run properly and we are in the process of holding elections to make some changes. I used to work as an Executive Secretary for New York State and I found that I have forgotten a lot of the protocol for holding meetings. A neighbor suggested that I purchase this book and I'm very glad that I did. It has brought back to mind much of what I remember as an Executive Secretary, and then some. It's been very helpful.
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