The Up the Middle Church: Playing the Game of Ministry One Yard at a Time...

I really like the premise of this book. I've often described the church I lead, Seacoast Church, as the slowest growing mega church in America. We opened with 340 people the first Sunday and didn't reach that number again in average attendance for five years. I remember hearing about church plants that immediately rocketed into the stratosphere and immediately becoming discouraged at our lack of progress. "What was wrong with us?" I questioned my call, our strategy, and on many occasions wanted to give up and do something else. I wish Matt Keller would have written this book back then. I like this guy. He's one of us...not flashy or all that hip. Just determined and committed to doing the little things right. He encourages us that just because we don't connect with the long bomb right away, God still has a plan for us. I'm reminded of Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." That is Matt's story, it is my story, and it could be yours also. Keep running it up-the-middle and who knows, God just might use your church to do things in your city that will surprise everyone...maybe even you. Greg Surratt Seacoast Church, Charleston, SC