There is a new author in town who says it is time to stop your church’s revolving door.
Besides being the senior pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Hinesville, Dr. Richard Wright also is an author. His first book, “Stop the Church’s Revolving Door: Building Relationships with Church Members,” was released in December.
“The book was four years in the making. It was written from my doctoral dissertation, which focused on how we re-establish relationships,” Wright said. “As a pastor and lay leader in several churches, I noticed two-thirds of the membership was not attending church on a regular basis. Since my doctorate is in evangelism and missions, I realized we needed to re-evangelize our congregations when two-thirds of the membership does not attend.”
Wright said according to Barna research, 78 percent of people go to church because someone asked them to come.
“Along, the way, however, two-thirds of the people sever their relationship, and my doctoral dissertation focused on how to reestablish that relationship,” Wright said. “I implemented this ministry tool in two churches. One was a large metropolitan church, and the other was a county seat church. Attendance increased by 10 percent in one, while the other had an 8 percent in attendance.
“The chair of my dissertation reading committee asked me to find a way to get this word out — not just to the United Methodist, but to everyone. The book is written for any Christian church,” Wright said.
“When someone walks out the back door in most churches, there is not ministry to try and stem the tide of inactivity. We try to stop people from becoming inactive. We let them know that the church needs them and that they need the church.”
Since the release of his book, Wright has had several book signings, and plans to have a signing after each service in February and will sign books in Columbus in March.
Copies of the book can be purchased at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, WestBowPress.com and dr.richardmwright.com. You can purchase the book in hardcover, paperback or ebook. You can also reach Wright at the First United Methodist Church at (912) 368-2200.
He is available to conduct seminars on the book to help churches.
“The book’s approach will not only help churches, but civic and fraternal groups, since it deals with relationships and that is one of the reasons why people join groups,” Wright said.
Wright is completing his second book which is about the salvation process — the ultimate relationship with God.
“My third book will be about my life’s story,” he said.