The Race to Reach Out: Connecting Newcomers to Christ in a New Century - Anderson, Douglas T., and Michael J. Coyner. Abingdon, 2004. 111p. $14.00, Paperback. ISBN-10: 0-687-06668-9. 254’.5 Church growth. Church work with new members.

Anderson and Coyner, both United Methodist clergy, use the metaphor of a relay race to illustrate the teamwork required for churches to win new disciples for Christ. In this slim, easy-reading volume, they outline the components of the race: attracting newcomers; welcoming them when they visit for the first time; recognizing and identifying them; responding promptly to their visit; listening to them and assimilating them into the life of the church; and (the victory lap) welcoming them, already active in ministry, into church membership.

The authors are careful to note that the goal of the race is not to increase membership numbers. The goal, they write, is “connecting the newcomer with the church family and with the living Christ.”

Along with the analogy of the relay, with its warm-up stretching, strong start, successive runners, handing off of the baton, and leaning into the finish line, Anderson and Coyner follow through the book a “Newcomers Team” as its members welcome, listen to, and guide newcomers. This narrative, combined with the authors’ many practical and well-reasoned suggestions (E.g., everyone should wear name tags, not just newcomers, who might feel awkward being the only ones), proves an effective way of communicating good information on how to welcome newcomers to church. Highly recommended.

Monica Tenney
C&SL Media Review Editor
Maple Grove United Methodist Church
Columbus, Ohio