This book is to assist pastors entering a congregation and seeking to understand the congregation they are to lead. It will assist the pastor to engage the congregation in a self-study of where it is, who it is, what it does and how it does it. This writing will also allow pastors to re-engage their congregation in a periodic self-assessment of its culture and its affect on visioning and mission planning.
Douglas L. Maven was born and raised in a small community of faithful Christians in Mays Landing, NJ. He accepted his call to ministry in 1978, as a student studying Industrial Management at Cheyney University, in PA. He received his B.S. and entered Seminary at Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC and graduated with honors with a M.Div. After pastoring in North Carolina and Connecticut, he was assigned to First A.M.E. Zion Church, Paterson, NJ, where he has served fo the past 34 years. During his tenure there he received his D.Min. from Hartford Seminary, specializing in Congregational Studies. Dr. Maven has continued his study and expertise in that area and to assists pastors and congregational leaders on this subject matter.