Book Review of Churches That Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community with Good News and Good Works by Sider, Olson, and Unruh, Baker Books, 2002

Churches That Make a Difference:Reaching Your Community with Good News and Good Works was written by Ronald Sider, Philip Olson, and Heidi Rolland Unruh. Sider and Unruh have co-authored two other books, in addition to producing several works on their own. In their first collaboration with Phillip Olson, the three explore the importance of holistic ministry for the church in the 21st century by using several Philadelphia churches as case studies.

The thesis for this book is that churches should be involved in holistic ministry that emphasizes both evangelism and social action. Jesus’ example of ministering in word and deed is highlighted as a model for the church. Holistic ministry “is not just to help people but to invite them into a process of transformation through conversion and regeneration by the Spirit (54).”

Evangelism can range from traditional avenues such as sanctuary evangelism to innovative means such as ministries on the internet. Social ministries are also diverse in nature and range from dealing with needs on an individual basis to fighting the root causes of problems at the structural level. The book also gives suggestions for how to build relationships between members of the congregations and recipients of service programs

Establishing a holistic ministry involves determining the community you want to reach, what obstacles would hinder the ministry, establishing a leadership team that has complementary gifts, and considering a partnership to reach more people and share resources.

Although the authors do devote a small section to addressing fears, helping people handle change, and managing conflicts, more time could have been spent on these areas. If the majority of our churches are not currently participating in holistic ministry, than one pivotal area of focus must be overcoming resistance to change. Too many churches and organizations continue their ministries with little to no change based on a mentality that this is way things have always been done so why change now. Sadly, I could see many people reading the case studies in this book and thinking “Well, that’s fine for them but we could never do that in my church.” Even with an example of a suburban church doing holistic ministry, many will still classify holistic ministry as something that’s pertinent for the inner-city church, but not beyond that.

While in college, I visited Lawndale Community Church in Chicago and participated in some of their ministries. Their outreach programs include a hip hop worship ministry, a medical clinic, a housing program, and a halfway house. They are focused on reaching their immediate community, so they want people attending and serving in their church who live in Lawndale. I was impressed by the magnitude of what they’re accomplishing in their neighborhood and by their creative approach to serving their community, but it wasn’t until reading this book that I got a fuller picture of what holistic ministry could look like outside the urban context. As I attempt to explore ministry within my own neighborhood, I can see the power of meeting both physical and spiritual needs as outlined in the book. For me, the idea of sharing the gospel with strangers can still be intimidating at times but coupled with acts of service it becomes much more doable. I would be able to back up what I’m telling them about who God is by serving and loving them as He commands.