Contents

Introduction

Module 1
The Call to the Victorian Christian Life -- p.5

Lesson 1: The Call to the VCL -- p.5

Lesson 2: The Few, the Proud, the Victorious -- p.7

Lesson 3: Overcoming the Fear of Freedom -- p.9

Module 2
The Mature Self -- p.15

Lesson 1: The Sin of Playing Victim -- p.15

Lesson 2: The Sin of Playing Savior -- p.18

Lesson 3: The Dance of Immaturity -- p.22

Lesson 4: Walk into the Storm -- p. 24

Module 3
The Mature Church Member -- p.27

Lesson 1: The Privilege of Participation -- p.27

Lesson 2: Love and the Privilege of Participation -- p.34

Lesson 3: Abuse by Secrets -- p.36

Lesson 4: Abuse by Scapegoating -- p.41

Lesson 5: The Illusion of Participation -- p.44

Lesson 6: Separation Anxiety -- p.48

Lesson 7: Mobilizing by Initiative -- p.51

Module 4:
The Mature Church Leader -- p.57

The Story -- p.59

Lesson 1: Prayer as the Vehicle to Clarity 66

Lesson 2: Decisiveness Is Faith at Work -- p.69

Lesson 3: The Courage to Lead -- p.71

The Mature Leader -- p.86

Epilogue -- p.91

Appendix -- p.93

Notes -- p.97

Like all human bodies, the body of Christ that we call "church" needs to attend to its health or it may become ill. Renowned pastor, preacher, and teacher Frank Thomas believes that many congregations exhibit a number of dysfunctional habits in conducting business that lead to rifts, divides, and even congregational splits. Often they are caused by leadership styles that are ineffective and controling. Thomas examines how poor congregational leadership is often the result of personality conflicts among leaders and how many key leaders--both clergy and lay--participate in keeping unhealthy methods alive. Thomas's book will help lay and clergy leaders improve the health of their congreagation by taking a close look at the styles of church leadership, methods of information flow, and levels of participation that exist within the body. Thomas offers a holistic solution based on a model of spiritual maturity for creating and preserving a healthy comgregation.