The 7 Churches Not In The Book of Revelation

Review by  T. C. Pinckney                                                                     Vol. XV, No. 2, February 2002 

The 7 Churches Not in the Book of Revelation, by Gene Mims with John Perry, (Broadman & Holman, Nashville, 2001) 99 pp.

This book is written for pastors, especially for pastors called to a new church, and especially especially for pastors (1) going to their first church or (2) who have had a series of brief ministries at several churches. Laymen may also find the book informative, particularly if your church seldom keeps a pastor more than two years and you wonder why.

Mims and Perry (M&P) first address the naive expectations many (all?) pastors carry to their next church under the heading “Seven Pastoral Sins”: not accepting people for who they are, believing that preaching will change them, assuming everyone wants to change, believing the few represent the many, expecting worship to accelerate the change, believing an expert will change them, and imitating another pastor. This discussion lays the groundwork for the meat of the book.

M&P then go on to discuss seven styles of church: the University Church where emphasis is on teaching, learning, and doctrine; the Arena Church, worship-centered, where performance and entertainment are key; the Corporate Church which is large, complex, intricate, and a model of efficiency; the Machine Church – program-oriented, focussed on building, missions, and task management; the Family Chapel Church based on family ties, where personal relationships come first; the Legacy Church ... rich in tradition, often focussed on a great event or personality of the past; and the Community Center Church, committed to community service and local issues. Discussion of these churches, their differences, strengths, and weaknesses comprises the bulk of the book.

The turnover rate among Southern Baptist Pastors is tragic, tragic for both church and pastor. A careful reading of this book and thoughtful application of its lessons to a present or (preferably) prospective match between pastor and church should do a lot to avoid heartache for everyone involved.

The 7 Churches Not in the Book of Revelation is an easy read. It is brief and entertainingly written but contains a great deal of helpful wisdom. I highly recommend it to all pastors and pulpit committee members.