{"product_id":"challenging-the-church-monster-9781556356285","title":"Challenging the Church Monster","description":"The church monster--according to Bixby--is the personification of \"\"a wide variety of problems which have arisen in local churches as a result of the heightened levels of conflict and anxiety with which they are dealing.\"\" His goal is to help pastors--as well as laity--to challenge the church monster by dealing with conflict and working through issues that are causing stagnation, early dismissal of pastors, and other discord that detracts from the mission and vision of the church. Bixby invites churches as well as shows them how to be open to the genuine and exciting possibilities that emerge from two core principles: downsizing and centralizing church government and developing a radical commitment to congregational decision making. This means fewer meetings, more ministry and less conflict, more community. He also offers fresh new ways for churches to function so that mission and ministry can once again become priorities, and people can begin to feel their time and energy are being used for something other than adding fuel to the fire of conflict within the congregation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDoug Bixby is Lead Pastor at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Attleboro, MA. He is the author of two books including \u003ci\u003eChallenging the Church Monster: From Conflict to Community\u003c\/i\u003e (Wipf and Stock). His other book is \u003ci\u003eThe Honest to God Church: A Pathway to God's Grace\u003c\/i\u003e (2007). He is available for speaking about church leadership, conflict, and vitality. He is also a church consultant and works with churches on church governance and structure.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Wipf \u0026 Stock Publishers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50873598214418,"sku":"9781556356285","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_d3728f07-6edd-4026-8a4b-6b4f23aa697b.jpg?v=1737942900","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/challenging-the-church-monster-9781556356285","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}