I finished reading It: How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep It last night.  It was an excellent book.  I like Craig Groeschel’s writing style and, more importantly, his honesty.

In the book, Groeschel defines having “it” as experiencing God moving.  For instance, some churches seem to have “it” while others don’t.  He goes to great lengths to say that having “it” isn’t about having a certain theology, facility, methodology, program or philosophy of ministry.  In fact, he busts through a few myths about why God seems to be moving in some churches and not in others.

As I said, I appreciate the honesty of the book, as well as the humor!  (I laughed out loud a few times.) Groeschel hits the nail on the head about how easy it is to drift off of passion for God into other things and lose focus…and “it.”

After defining what “it” is and what “it” isn’t, he talks about some common characteristics of churches that seem to have it working for them.  Specifically, he says that churches with “it” tend to have:

• A clear vision
• A divine focus
• A staff with unmistakable camaraderie
• An innovative attitude set on doing whatever it takes
• A willingness to fail and take risks (to eventually succeed)
• Outwardly focused hearts
• Kingdom-mindedness

I wholeheartedly agree with everything he listed.  I simply can’t imagine God NOT blessing any church that had all these dynamic elements in place!

As good as the book is, I would recommend it solely based on the last two chapters if forced to.  These chapters deal with how to regain “it” and how to guard “it” in your life.  They seem like some sort of compelling sermon being shared by Groeschel.  He also shares his own story of coming back to loving God and putting Him first, even over church.  It all really moved me.

Pastors, check this little book out.  I’m sure you’ll get a lot of out IT.