Brian’s Books

What is a Really Great Church? A really great church is one that Christians love to be a part of and God is pleased to bless. Written for individual use, as well as for small groups, Brian Thorstad has filled this book with study and reflection helps like:

• Invaluable verses – Scripture passages that you can “take to the bank”
• Think about it – questions for personal reflection
• Inspiring assignments – for those who want to dig deeper
• Startling statements – provocative statements from the author to stimulate discussion
• Quotable quotes and sizzling stories – illustrating truths in memorable ways

If you are a follower of Jesus and you would like to be a part of a really great church, this very readable book is a resource that will help you.

Purchase it right here – $20, postage paid anywhere in the US.

Or find it at Next Step Resources by clicking on this link: nsresources.com

Or find it at Amazon.com by clicking on this link: amazon.com

If you are a member of or have even been a member of a troubled church, or just want to be a force for unity and effectiveness in your congregation, “Heaven Help Our Church!” is just what the doctor ordered. The author gives the reader a large dose of hope, based on the promises of the Bible and his own experiences at leading churches through revitalization. He then provides the reader with a step-by-step guide to surviving and even thriving in what can often be a painful and perplexing situation. The author has “been there and done that” and is still smiling and helping troubled churches to get healthy and happy.

This book is no longer available from Brian, but you can probably still get a copy:

Find it at Next Step Resources by clicking on this link: nsresources.com

Find it at Amazon.com in paperback or as a Kindle download by clicking on this link: amazon.com

Download the “Heaven Help Our Church!” Study Guide for free by clicking here.

Who “Redevelopment: Transitional Pastoring That Transforms Churches” is for:

It’s for pastors who are thinking about transitional ministry.

Many pastors are curious about what it would be like to do transitional ministry. Some of you have acquired a great deal of knowledge, skill, and wisdom through many years of serving as a solo pastor (the only pastor of a small church), a senior or lead pastor, an associate pastor, or a youth pastor. If you’re looking for something easier, this book is not for you. If you’re looking for an adventure then this book and the ministry it describes is worth your consideration. This book won’t give you all the training you need but it will tell you what you need to study and what skills you may need to develop.

It’s also for transitional (or interim) pastors.

Some of you are already doing a great job in the ministry of helping churches survive and thrive during their transitions between long-term pastors. You may call yourself an interim pastor, an intentional interim pastor, a restoration pastor, or a transitional pastor. (I will have more to say about the confusing terminology of this profession later in the book.) As a professional who strives for excellence, you’re always interested in improving your skills and increasing your effectiveness. If you’re serving as a traditional transitional pastor – providing good teaching and loving shepherding care but not very involved in changing the churches that you serve – this book will help you take your ministry to the next level: that of the redevelopment transitional pastor.

It’s also for lay leaders.

Some of you are interested in finding out what a transitional pastor might be able to bring to your congregation. You might want to go right to chapter one and learn about the value of these unique ministers of the gospel. Transitional pastors are increasingly being recommended by denominational leaders who know how much good they can do in churches. “Redevelopment: Transitional Pastoring That Transforms Churches” (and especially chapter one) will help you understand why.

Purchase it right here – $20, postage paid anywhere in the US.

Or find it at Next Step Resources by clicking on this link: nsresources.com

Or find it at Amazon.com by clicking on this link: amazon.com

There are many books about church health and church revitalization, but no one has given us a Revitalization Playbook until now. Church Consultant Brian Thorstad sought to create a comprehensive, start-to-finish manual for church revitalization. When he realized that such a “cut and dried” process was not going to work (because all churches are unique) he realized that he needed to compile a Playbook instead, just as a football team collects a variety of plays that can be chosen from, as the situation calls for them.

This treasure trove of church-changing methods – all of which God has blessed in the real world of local churches – provides the reader with twenty proven plays to choose from. Links to downloads of every chapter (coming soon!) give churches the option of easily getting every church leader on the same page. This book is simple and profoundly practical. You will use it and God will use it to change your church.

Purchase it right here – $25, postage paid anywhere in the United States, or purchase the entire book as a downloadable PDF ($25). When you purchase as a downloadable PDF, you receive the right to pass on as many copies as necessary to others in your church or make paper copies as needed.

OR purchase individual chapters as downloadable PDFs for $10 each. This includes the rights to print/share within your church as needed.

And, as gifts to our readers …

… download Scripted Play #1, GET READY FOR ADVENTURE, FREE, by clicking here.

… download Appendices 2 and 3, FREE, by clicking here.

If you are a member of or have ever been a member of a troubled church, or just want to be a force for unity and effectiveness in your congregation, “Thriving in a Troubled Church” is just what the doctor ordered. The author gives the reader a large dose of hope, based on the promises of the Bible and his own experiences of leading churches through revitalization. He then provides the reader with a step-by-step guide to surviving and even thriving in what can often be a painful and perplexing situation. The author has “been there and done that” and is still smiling and helping troubled churches to get healthy and happy.

Thriving… speaks primarily to lay people – normal Christians – who are struggling to do right in troubled churches. It is the revised, improved, re-released version of a book that God has used to help many: “Heaven Help Our Church!” This new version is perfect for small groups with ten chapters and many great discussion questions.

Purchase it right here – $20, postage paid anywhere in the US.

Or find it at Next Step Resources by clicking on this link: nsresources.com

Or find it at Amazon.com by clicking on this link: amazon.com