Organizations Books

Carl is an inspired writer *and* a good writer. If you want to read something that shows you the way AND inspires you to go there, this is it. Get the book!

Don't shy away from this book because you feel "partnership" has been overused. This is a refreshing look at the state of our relationships. "True Partnership" provides a powerful and practical roadmap for transforming personal and business relationships. The "In the Drift" vs "In True Partnership" tables are a concise yet revealing look at common situations and the benefits of dealing with those situations from the partnership perspective. Read this book and follow the principles. Challenging relationships will improve, good relationships will be great.

Great relationships, whether in our business or our personal lives, take courage, compassion, wisdom, honesty and skill.

Carl's book provides the skills - and encourages the other qualities!

Using TRUE PARTNERSHIP principles as a basis, I have negotiated through several challenging conflicts, and have referenced Carl's book in seminars I've presented on Conflict Management, Negotiation and Leadership.

TRUE PARTNERSHIP should be in every library! This book truly has been an investment in my future.

Those of us in the change and transition business are vocal, loud and some would say, obnoxious advocates for recognizing the human side and impact of change. Too often our words fall on deaf ears...with "True Partnerships" we finally have a text that deals with NEW principles for relating to others during, before and after change. We finally have a text that deals with the potential destructiveness of autonomy, power, scarcity mentality and victimhood. Instead this book awakens a call to action for relationships that produce extraordinary results by shifting our philosophy to one of connection, communication, expansion and creator/observer. It is powerful, beyond words and is guaranteed to cause you to examine your own approach of "drift" versus "true partnership." It can shake you up and transform your relationships at work, at home and everywhere inbetween. Read it and begin relating differently today.

Carl Zaiss makes the bold statement in his new book that "there are things we can do to build a stronger relationship no matter what the other person does." In this fantastic book, the author contrasts "The Drift," his term for traditional ways of thinking and relating to other people, with "True Partnership," in which efforts are focused on enhancing the relationship itself. If things aren't going your way at work or at home because of "those other people in your life, who won't do what they should do" then take heart - this is a very encouraging book that shows you how to stop trying to change other people (and yourself) and instead focus on changing the relationships themselves. Techniques include connecting with others by realizing the interdependence of us all on each other; communicating with intent to constantly improve the quality of communications; expanding from an "either/or" mentality to a "both/and" orientation; and observing not from one's initial "gut feeling" point of view but trying out different points of view to see if a new one helps resolve an old conflict. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for those looking for a new communications, team building, or conflict management tool.

When God Builds a Church: 10 Principles for Growing a Dynamic Church is Biblically solid and has the potential to revolutionize the way we do church...if we will apply them. Russell is easy and entertaining to read and will connect with anyone who is in the trenches trying to allow God to lead them in ministry and church leadership.

Our church purchased 40 copies of this book for an adult study group. We wanted to take a close look at the principles for growth as outlined by Mr. Russell and compare them to our local growth potential. We have been pleased with the discussions and results of that study. We have been encouraged by some of the things we have been doing and challanged to do better in some areas. We recommend using this book as a base to take a look at your local church and see how God might use you to reach others more effectively for His kingdom.

This book reminds us that a church can grow with out compromising spiritual values. This book is not a management book. It provides 10 principles that have worked for South East Christian Church, and can be adapted and used by any one. In fact we are encouraged not to try to use a cookie cutter approach. If I were to recommend two books for church growth, they would be The Purpose Driven Church, and When God Builds a Church.

This book, "When God Builds a Church," contains biblical principles and real-life examples for building a strong, evangelistic church. Although I am opposed to the mega-church model and much of the church growth movement for doctrinal reasons, I recommend this book because the general principles it advocates are sound and can be adapted for use in congregations anywhere, without necessarily embracing the big church idea. As a missionary in Brazil, South America I found this work to be encouraging, and hope to implement many of its ideas in a new church work here.

In this interesting and highly readable book, the author identifies and discusses "ten principles for growing a dynamic church." They are:

1. Truth: Proclaim God's Word as Truth and Apply it to People's Lives
2. Worship: Worship God Every Week in Spirit and in Truth
3. Leadership: Develop Christ-Centered Leaders Who Lead by Example
4. Excellence: Do Your Best in Every Area of Service
5. Faith: Be Willing to Step Out with a Bold Faith and Take Risks
6. Harmony: Maintain a Spirit of Harmony
7. Participation: Expect the Congregation to Participate in Every Area of Ministry
8. Fellowship: Continually Practice Agape Love for One Another
9. Stewardship: Give Generously of God's Resources as a Church and as Individuals
10. Evangelism: Commit Enthusiastically to Evangelism as Your Primary Mission

The author devotes a separate chapter to each of these principles in which he describes its scriptural basis and discusses its implementation in real life settings. This discussion includes a wealth of very practical information and advice on how to apply the principles effectively, and how to avoid or overcome stumbling blocks and problems.

Although one may disagree with the precise way in which the principles have been applied in the author's own "mega-church," the principles themselves appear fundamentally sound and can profitably be adapted in other congregational settings.