Building the Body - by Gary L McIntosh & Phil Stevenson (Paperback)

About the Book

Experienced church consultants take church leaders through five stages of "church fitness" by describing characteristics that every church should strive for to make the most impact in lives and in the world.

Book Synopsis

Just as a physically healthy person--at an ideal weight and with good blood pressure and cholesterol numbers--might not actually be fit enough to run a 5k, so churches can appear healthy--with no obvious issues, maintaining a healthy size--and yet not exhibit fitness. A fit church is one that is not satisfied with merely coasting along with no problems. A fit church is actively making disciples, maturing in faith, developing strong leaders, reaching out to the community, and more.

Building the Body offers pastors and church leaders twelve characteristics of fit churches and shows them how they can move their church through five levels of fitness, from beginner all the way to elite--just as an athlete, through training and practice, can become the top in his or her class. Includes comparison charts at the end of each chapter so readers can clearly see where their church currently falls and concluding "Complete the Progress Chart" so that they can see what their goals should be for the future.

From the Back Cover

Is your church performing at its highest level?

Just as a physically healthy person might not actually be fit enough to run a 5K, so churches can appear healthy--with no obvious issues, maintaining a healthy size--but not exhibit fitness. A fit church is one that is not satisfied with merely coasting along with no problems. A fit church is actively making disciples, maturing in faith, developing strong leaders, reaching out to the community, and more. Building the Body unveils the twelve characteristics of fit churches and shows pastors and church leaders how to move their church through five levels of fitness, from beginner all the way to elite.


"Building the Body powerfully draws on the biblical imagery of the church while taking the concept of church health to a whole new level. Becoming fit is presented in a way that motivates rather than produces guilt, and the combination of principles and practices apply to churches at all levels of development."--Wayne Schmidt, general superintendent, the Wesleyan Church

"Practical steps to the next level--that's what this book offers. Wherever your church lies along a continuum of twelve factors (e.g., outreach, stewardship, worship, disciple making), McIntosh and Stevenson give concrete strategies for advancing to the next level . . . and then the next level . . . and then the next level."--Donald R. Sunukjian, chair, department of Christian ministry and leadership, Talbot School of Theology

"A practical, informative, doable resource for leaders and churches who want not only to get better but also to get as strong or fit as possible for the good of the kingdom of Jesus Christ."--Jim Dunn, vice president of church relations, Wesleyan Investment Foundation



Gary L. McIntosh is president of the Church Growth Network and professor of Christian ministry and leadership at Talbot School of Theology. He is an internationally known speaker and the author of many books, including Biblical Church Growth, Beyond the First Visit, What Every Pastor Should Know, and Growing God's Church. He lives in California.

Phil Stevenson serves as the district superintendent of the Pacific-Southwest District of the Wesleyan Church. A visiting professor at six universities and seminaries, he has an extensive background in coaching denominational leaders, pastors, and church planters on evangelism and church growth. He is the author of several books and lives in California.

About the Author

Gary L. McIntosh (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is president of the Church Growth Network and professor of Christian ministry and leadership at Talbot School of Theology. He is an internationally known speaker and church consultant who has written 25 books, including Biblical Church Growth, Beyond the First Visit, What Every Pastor Should Know, and Growing God's Church. He lives in California.

Phil Stevenson (DMin, Talbot School of Theology) serves as the district superintendent of The Pacific-Southwest District of the Wesleyan Church. A visiting professor at six universities and seminaries, he has an extensive background in coaching denominational leaders, pastors, and church planters on evangelism and church growth. He is the author of six books and lives in California.