Deep & wide

By Andy Stanley

Book Description

Pastor Andy Stanley opens this revealing exploration of modern church leadership with an unexpected confession: one of America's largest congregations emerged from the aftermath of a highly publicized divorce and congregational split. Rather than hiding from this difficult beginning, Stanley uses it as a launching point to examine how authentic spiritual communities can flourish even after profound disruption.

This comprehensive guide takes readers inside North Point Community Church's innovative approach to creating worship experiences that genuinely connect with both committed believers and spiritual skeptics. Stanley presents his philosophy of designing "weekend experiences so compelling and helpful that even the most skeptical individuals in our community would walk away with every intention of returning the following week, with a friend."

The book introduces Stanley's distinctive strategy for addressing what he calls "dual audiences" - speaking simultaneously to mature believers and cynical unbelievers without compromising the depth of spiritual content. He argues that effective communication lies not in simplifying the message, but in refining the approach.

Readers will discover North Point's spiritual formation framework, known as the Five Faith Catalysts, along with three essential elements for creating environments that naturally draw people toward spiritual exploration. Stanley includes practical guidance for leaders seeking to transform existing congregations, emphasizing the importance of focusing on who you are reaching rather than who you are keeping.

This resource offers both inspiration and concrete strategies for anyone interested in building inclusive spiritual communities that welcome seekers at every stage of their journey.