Church leaders are frustrated! Larger churches are bogged down by the weight of their own organizations, and smaller churches struggle with an inability to get things moving. Medium-sized churches tend to get tangled up in their programming. Pastors and church leaders across the country are in the same plight. As a result, their churches stagnate.

Veteran leadership expert Gary L. McIntosh provides help to leaders of churches, regardless of size, who struggle to create workable plans to move their congregations forward. This book identifies the best practices on how to assess the unique identity of a church and design a plan for its future. This book is a primer for church leaders who desire to lead their churches in practical planning that does not become so complicated nothing gets done.

Loaded with case studies, resources, and chapter-by-chapter action plans, this practical resource contains everything a pastor needs to understand the planning process; identify the churches mission, values, and goals; and put it all together in a plan that works in the local setting.

Endorsements

In his easy to read conversational style, Gary provides church leaders a practical tool to strengthen their church for long-term effectiveness. If you are looking for a resource that will help you capture your dream for your church, create a path to fulfill that dream, and courageously pursue the dream, Here Today, There Tomorrow is what you are looking for.

Rev. Phil Stevenson
Director of Church Multiplication and Leadership Development
Pacific Southwest District of the Wesleyan Church

Gary L. McIntosh gives us a practical and biblical nine-step blueprint for developing a long range plan for our churches.

Rev. Bil Easum
Founder and Senior Consultant
21st Century Strategies

It has been said that those who do not plan for the future, plan to fail. Gary L. McIntosh has written a book to help local churches plan for the future so they can build and construct an outreach to the lost in their community to become a healthy church to fulfill the will of God. Each chapter is organized around major aspects of the planning process. Therefore the reader can go to a chapter according to the need they have in their church. However, it would be better for the reader to work through the book chapter-by-chapter to get an overview of the planning process in the local church. Anyone dealing with the future of the local church must read this book and plan accordingly.

Dr. Elmer Towns
Co-Founder and Dean of Religion
Liberty University

If you are a pastor or a lay leader in a small to mid-sized church that has hit a plateau or is declining, then Gary’s book will help direct your church to a new future. It is very practical and easy to understand.

Dr. Doug Talley
Executive State Pastor
Indiana Ministries of the Church of God

Your first plan for effective ministry will include this practical, must-read focus on intentionally moving a church forward. Gary L. McIntosh has provided a great guide!

Dr. Kent Hunter
Leader
Church Doctor Ministries

Here Today, There Tomorrow provides pastors and church leaders with perspective, practical, positive assistance to provide faith-based plans that will help keep churches relevant not only today, but also tomorrow.

Dr. Tom Steffen
Professor of Intercultural Studies
Biola University

This is one of the finest books I have read on the subject of developing a master plan for a local church. This book is the equivilent of a seminary course in planning. Each chapter contains outstanding ideas and practical ways to develop and implement strategies to make your church meet the challenge not only of today but also of our constantly changing culture. This is a book that I believe will be widely used through churches that desire to grow and expand to the glory of God.

Rev. Stephen Babby
District Superintendent
Pacific Southwest District of the Wesleyan Church

In this very readable book, Gary L. McIntosh has addressed some essential topics (mission, vision, values, and goals) for those who wish to exercise good leadership in the local church during an era of rapid change. His topics have been addressed before usually in multiple volumes, but this book provides an up-to-date review of these important issues in a succinct and relevant way. I found his explanations and applications to be totally consistent with local church life and needs as I know them. I would recommend this book for new pastors who might discuss the topics with an experienced mentor, and for seasoned pastors who might benefit by being reminded and reenergized on these important concepts of local church leadership.

Dr. Kenneth Bickel
Director and Professor of Pastoral Studies
Grace Theological Seminary

Dr. McIntosh has done it again. He has provided pastors, leaders, and the Church at large with a wonderful template on how to stay relevant in the presentation of the Gospel. This book will be of great value in helping plan, coordinate, and focus their ministry for maximum effectiveness. Bravo, Gary! You have done it again.

Dr. Chuck Lawless
Dean, Billy Graham School, Southern Seminary
President, The Lawless Group

He has written a good primer on missional leadership uniting effective evangelism with congregational vitality.

Dr. Lyle Pointer
Pastor, Congegational Consultant
Former Professor of Evangelism, Nazarene Theological Seminary

Everything Gary writes is “Real Church Ministry Friendly.” This latest book, Here Today, There Tomorrow: Unleashing Your Church’s Potential is rooted in Scripture, rigorously tested by research and realized in local church ministry. Words of description include: wise, clear, helpful, practical, biblical common sense, conversational, and motivating. This book is a remarkable synthesis of biblical theology of planning and best practices for local church planning that will result in genuine increased kingdom effectiveness. A major bonus is how these chapters will serve as a tool to translate the life vocational skills and gifts of lay leadership into actual ministry reality. Any church at any size, stage, or shape will profit for the sake of the Gospel by working the steps and process of this superior planning pathway.

Dr. Dennis Baker
Senior Ministry Consultant
The Goehner Group