Direct Hit: Aiming Real Leaders at the Mission Field (Convergence eBook)

This book provides an in-depth examination of a strategy for turning around a dysfunctional, dying church. It doesn't sugar coat the issue. Turning dysfunctional churches around is hard, painful work. The author invites the reader to count the cost and then plunge into the work.

Few in the North American church scene have as much experience with local church turnaround as Paul Borden. What makes Direct Hit so useful is that Borden addresses why turnaround is so often talked about, but so rarely achieved. He gives very clear rules about: the timing of turnaround, the role of pastors and leaders, using outside help, and the necessity of mission. Many congregations do not look to the deep issues behind why their church is the way it is. Not so with Direct Hit. Borden is up-front and passionate about his subject. A previous reviewer has put in this space a review of some other book about "Organic Church", not by Borden. There are a few typographical and syntactical errors here, but a lot fewer than his previous book Hit The Bullseye. The Appendices are worth the purchase price alone. Five stars.

Paul Borden codifies some of his experiences in founding churches. His writing style is dry and hard to plow through since it is written to pastors and church leaders (who have a tendency to use their own form of jargon and "church speak.") While his ideas are certainly promising in bringing new life to dead and dying churches, you have to bypass the heavy and sodden verbiage to find the main ideas useful for church revival. The ideas and methodology in the book are certainly worth consideration by church pastors and leaders, but plowing through the words will be challenging. A slight aside--many church people consider missions to reach to those outside the church (and this book does have that ultimate focus), but the main focus is the revitalization of moribund Protestant churches. (Orthodox and Catholic churches may find it of less value.)

Very clear and readable. Author knowledgeable about the subject (failing churches) and able to share the information. I should have bought a paperback copy instead of getting it on my electronic reader so I could write notes on it.

Borden passes along his experience in growing churches. He gives an outline for steps he thinks are necessary for churches to become growing churches instead of dying churches.

Clear and concise, a how to book for churches wanting to change the direction of their decline. Even if you don't follow all of it, there are great ideas you can use.

It's exactly what I was looking for and expected. Glad I purchased this book. Great book for our staff and will help with our goals.

Well written, practical, and I especially found useful information on urgency. It cuts through to the point that in order to make a direct hit we need to follow the Great Commission.

Direct, practical, forthright, runs on the board or Borden! Courageous and needed. I agree with much more than I disagree with. The Christian church in the western world needs the attitudes and actions espoused in Direct Hit to keep on target. Easy to read and the actions can be customised.

interesting author

Using this book to build my leadership team!