The New Adapters

Know thy audience. It’s one of the most basic rules of communication, and it’s how a new generation of pastors is guiding the mainline churches that are beginning to flourish with a sense of opportunity and hope. The New Adapters by Jacob Armstrong demonstrates how classic principles are being translated in a variety of new contexts and shares how time-tested principles can be used to transform your ideas and practices into effective action in your own context—no matter your congregation’s size or your church’s denomination.

Each chapter begins with an introduction from Adam Hamilton and Mike Slaughter, two mega-church pastors who know something about hope and vision. Combined with Armstrong’s sense for newness and innovation, this is the book for church leaders who are struggling to know what paths to follow in order to participate in the creation of new, mainline churches for the twenty-first century.

“If you have wondered what adaptive leadership looks like in practice, here it is. Jacob Armstrong offers a road map for reaching the mission field, writing with honesty, clarity, humility, and a heart attuned to the gospel. He invites us into a conversation with Adam Hamilton and Mike Slaughter that is both substantial and practical. Gather a team around you and let this book guide you to become New Adapters!” —Bishop Bill McAlilly, Nashville Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church

“The New Adapters is a fantastic read — a clarion call for what is needed in congregations today. It will immediately start to shift the way you think about ministry.” —F. Douglas Powe Jr., Professor and Associate Director of the Center for the Missional Church, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC

“A wonderful, hopeful, and practical volume for pastors, laity, and judicatory leaders who want to facilitate and participate in adaptive change. Armstrong draws wisdom from practitioners while refusing to offer a cookie cutter for the church.” —Elaine A. Heath, McCreless Professor of Evangelism, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX

“This practical book should be in every church leader’s library. Armstrong invites us to reclaim our love for the church, practice Holy Spirit dependence, and become New Adapters in living the mission of Jesus Christ. Jacob is calling us toward a new kind of church, one that gives me hope for the future!” —Bishop Mark J. Webb, Upper New York Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church