APRIL 26, 2005
Transforming Your Church from the Inside Out

Robert Lewis, Teaching Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, AR, and Wayne Cordeiro, Senior Pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, HI, know a thing or two about the importance of a church's culture. In fact, they've now written the book on the subject - Culture Shift: Transforming Your Church from the Inside Out (Jossey-Bass 2005). Leadership Network recently asked Robert and Wayne to talk with us about how a church's culture impacts its future.

LN: Both of you have written extensively on a variety of topics. What was the "tipping point" that moved you to write on culture?
Robert Lewis & Wayne Cordeiro
AUTHORS: We initially got together to write a book on a completely different subject. As we started discussing our plans, we began to realize that many pastors we both were talking with seemed to be worn out by more and more programs. They were tired of trying to find a "quick fix" solution for their churches when their real issues were much deeper. We became increasingly convinced that only a fundamental shift in a church's beliefs and values, and the way leadership expresses and calls the church to those values, would give the new life the pastors are looking for. We both believe that so strongly and passionately, that it became the driving force of the book.

LN: You've subtitled the book "Transforming Your Church from the Inside Out." How does that work?

AUTHORS: We believe that the core issue of a church's life is the set of beliefs and values its leadership really holds, as opposed to what it may say it holds. Those values can best be summarized in the word
"culture." It's the DNA that drives a church. We wanted to help pastors and serious laypeople recognize their church's culture - who sets it and how it develops.

LN: Why is recognizing church culture so important?

AUTHORS: Fundamental change in any church can only be addressed at a cultural level. Too many pastors try to change or upgrade their churches with a program, when what they truly need is a "culture shift." Programs are the easy stuff of church, but they can often result in a plug-and-play attitude toward ministry. Changing the culture can result in an atmosphere of health where a church can grow with individuality and grace.

LN: Who should read your book?

AUTHORS: Culture Shift is for any person who yearns to see their church come alive. It is for those who are tired of franchised religion and pre-purchased programs. It is for pastors who know they have one life to give and want to finish well, leaving a legacy for future generations that is easy to follow, true to the Scriptures and life-giving to the ministry.

LN: What was the biggest surprise the two of you discovered while writing this book?

AUTHORS: The biggest surprise to us was that our two very different churches above ground could be so similar below ground. But then again, any kind of church with authentic spiritual life, no matter how different in style, has the same invigorating cultural elements behind it: strong, unified leadership that passionately embraces common beliefs and values and then grows the church in a way that is consistent with those beliefs and values. Any program or innovation is added only if it can pass the "values test."

LN: What is the ultimate "take away" you want readers to experience from your book?

AUTHORS: We want readers to gain a new revelation of what a church's ministry can be when its leadership truly lives out core beliefs and values as living examples of the church's culture.

Dr. Robert Lewis is Teaching Pastor of Fellowship Bible Church, a non-denominational church in Little Rock, Arkansas, with worship attendance of over 5,500. The church has received national acclaim for its role as a model of effective community transformation, powerfully influencing the world around it in strategic, life-giving ways. He has authored a number of books, including The Church of Irresistible Influence.

Dr. Wayne Cordeiro is Founder and Senior Pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship O'ahu in Honolulu, Hawaii. A Foursquare church with worship attendance of over 10,000, it is one of the fastest growing churches in the nation. Wayne has authored numerous books, including Doing Church as a Team and Rising Above: Living a Life of Excellence No Matter What It Throws You.

To learn more about Culture Shift, click here.