Geoff Surratt

When I received my copy of, Ten Stupid Things that Keep Churches from Growing: How Leaders Can Overcome Costly Mistakes by Geoff Surratt, I was not sure what to think. However, as a brand new church planter I soon found a book that will be a key resource over the years to come. This is not a book of theory, but a guide full of practical "how to" advice. It is advice that covers everything from the role of the senior pastor's family to how to handle discipline in the congregation or with staff.

Each chapter ends with the key insight of a pastor that has successfully lived out the experience of that particular chapter and then followed by the "IQ Test". The "IQ Test" questions allow the book to become a workbook to provide a platform for discussion and discovery between the pastor and leadership team.

Surratt keeps a balance throughout the book by often reminding the reader that ministry is more than completing steps 1,2,3 etc, but it is a call that must have the anointing and direction of God. His sense of humor is an added bonus.

This book can be a useful resource for all pastors no matter what stage they are in ministry. But for a new or future church planter, it should be required reading.

Jon Stallings, Senior Pastor, Redeemer's Way Foursquare Church… (mere)

Wanna read a book that gives an overview of what happens when churches begin operating by a man-made business model rather than an inspired Word of God? If you answered yes, then read Zondervan’s A Multi-Site Road Trip by Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon, & Warren Bird. This recollection of a cross-country trip to fifteen different multi-site churches across America, including Hawaii, is so full of the folly of man’s knowledge that there is, as expected, little room for Godly knowledge. Sure, there are Biblical passages planted throughout the book supporting ideas but not their Biblical meaning, but the most discussion of “is this right in the eyes of God?” is within the chapter discussing John Piper’s Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minnesota. Sadly though, Piper and his elder’s insistence that nothing be done outside of the scripture’s authority is almost discussed laughingly by the authors.

While this book is full of business models and discussion of technology, this book would serve no purpose to the Christian leader looking to raise and groom a flock in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. As I read the book all I could think was, “this is nothing more than denominationalism via webcast.” Then at the end of the book the author(s) do decide to admit this fact. As a majority of the congregation discussed in the book are “non-denominational,” this book would have been more properly entitled How to Make Your Own Denomination in the 21st Century For Dummies. If anything, the members of these congregations are allowed to look behind the screen just as Dorthy was in the Wizard of Oz and see how their wizard does what he does.

I would recommend this book to no one.… (mere)

This was an interesting book. I have made some of the 10 mistakes in the ministry - but not all 10! I don't agree 100% with everything that Geoff says to avoid or fix the mistakes, but I will say the 10 mistakes are clearly mistakes that every church should avoid. Geoff is an interesting writer - he keeps things light-hearted but with an impact. It is not a dry textbook! The two chapters that spoke the most to me were "Providing a Second-Rate Worship Experience" and "Settling for Low Quality in Children's Ministry." These are areas of growth potential for our small, rural church.… (mere)