See, Know Serve- The People Within Your Reach

Book Review: See, Know & Serve the People within Your Reach
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Book Review: See, Know & Serve the People within Your Reach
Summary
Tom Bandy explains how congregations and communities around the world are changing and how Christian leaders cannot continue using standardized practices to spread the Gospel to these communities. He starts by explaining what the mission is, calling it an attitude and a habit rather than a subject and a program. He demonstrates how churches and church leaders can use demographic data, especially from lifestyle segmentation and psychographics, for strategic planning in delivering the mission and the Gospel. Bandy also describes the methods that churches can use to collect psychographic data. These methods include focus groups and intentional observations. Bandy states that lifestyle segments are the most important demographic research for the church. He further explains how churches can use focus groups, cross-sector research, listening teams, network interviews, and prayer walks to reach lifestyle segments and develop strategies for appropriate ministry.
Bandy further discusses the four leadership qualities that make a church leader right for a particular target congregation. These qualities include mission attitude, skills, high integrity, and teamwork. Each of these characteristics allows church leaders to "gain credibility…" and "…match the expectations of the surrounding communities.” He also discusses the various kinds of leaders that tend to different lifestyle segments and explains the four types of hospitality. Further, he describes worship choices for today’s lifestyle categories. Other areas of focus in the book include education, outreach, small-group, communication, technology, stewardship, and financial management options for churches in the post-Christendom era. In the final leg of the book, the author shares two real-life examples of how churches and church leaders can apply demographic research in their ministry to meet the spiritual needs of diverse lifestyle segments.[. BIBLIOGRAPHY \l 1033 Thomas Bandy, See, Know & Serve the People Within Your Reach. (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2013), 141.]
Evaluation of Ideas
The ideas shared in this book speak to the importance of evolving, as Christian leaders, to ensure that we continue spreading the Gospel in a constantly changing world. I felt strongly about the overall theme in the book; that times are changing, people are changing, and as such, Christian leaders must also adapt to these changes while maintaining the integrity and relevance of the Gospel. I liked that Bandy acknowledges the importance of adapting to change without disregarding the timelessness of the Gospel.
I especially loved the idea of relying on demographic research to make plans and establish how the Gospel can reach the masses. We leave at a time when there is so much information at our disposal, and this information is useful in guiding decision-making. Like the Bandy, I am surprised that the church has been slow in utilizing this information to enhance its mission. As Bandy notes, "The church exists to impact the community, or communities, ...