About Tombstones to
Cornerstones
Many churches face hard times for many reasons, and while
struggling to make the right decision for each unique congregation, many church
leaders are finding the future is far less certain than ever before. The search
for congregational identity, what to do with the church properties that when
first developed were worth a fraction of what they are now, and how to serve a
rapidly changing social and economic demographic have many congregations
wondering if they should even exist at all.
To help bring the hope of God back to the people, Rick Krug
and Jessica Knapp bring insights and admonitions designed to help churches and
their leaders navigate the unknown future. Tombstones To Cornerstones: Hope and
Help For Churches In Stress and Decline is an excellent eye-opening resource to
raise awareness to the challenges churches can face and the helpful guidance
churches can gain from the author’s thoughtful research, personal experiences,
and truly viable options for God-honoring decisions forward.
Recommendation
God’s church is eternal. She doesn’t die. Congregations,
however, do. This book is not another three-step turnaround manual for a
declining church. It is a personal, provocative, and practical journey for the
authors who love their heritage and want something more. The language of
“finishing and flourishing” is a needed kingdom corrective to the “our church
is dying” helplessness posture. Before you etch in stone the date your church
dies, read this book, do the work, make tombstone and cornerstone choices.
There is hope.
Grady D. King, D.
Min
President, HOPE Network
Rick Krug has been a Minister, Business founder, and College Instructor and for 20 years, has consulted and coached churches and church leaders seeking direction and vision. Rick holds a Masters from Pepperdine University and is the founder of the Tombstones to Cornerstones ministry dedicated to helping churches in distress.
Jessica Knapp, PhD is currently a church planter in Tucson, AZ. Her specialty is working with at-risk youth and college students. She holds a PhD in Mathematics Education from Arizona State University, and a certificate of Spiritual Leadership from Harding School of Theology. She has mentored students as a college professor, campus minister, and youth minister during her 18+ years of ministry. In 2017, she was part of a church which planted a Tombstone and became a Cornerstone.