ENDORSEMENTS

As a lay person, I am very excited about the possibilities for mutual understanding, cooperation, and collaboration between congregations and their pastors that The Self-Differentiated Church will help create. Dr. Rehak is perceptive and innovative in his recognition of corporate congregational personalities and his proposed use of a well-known psychological tool to aid churches in their spiritual mission. I am optimistic that this book will help prevent the pain, conflict, and inertia that can occur when clergy and congregation do not understand each other's gifts and limitations.

Charlene Luchterhand, MSSW

Congregations are not organizations; they are organisms. They are living, breathing bodies with personalities having values, communication styles, and their own expressions of spirituality. Dr. Rehak’s work will be enormously helpful to pastors and leaders as they seek to deepen their understanding of congregation’s personality with its unique language; being challenged to lead while focused on the congregation’s spirituality. I highly recommend "The Self-Differentiated Church" and pray that its message will continue to transform congregations.

Rev. Rick Hoyme, Bishop
Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA

The book is engaging as well as useful. Michael is an excellent writer and story teller. His illustrations are interesting as they describe situations I have experienced and they ring true. He is an outstanding explicator of theory. His description of functional identity is a most useful concept, presented it in a way that is understandable and believable. He makes a very good case that this identity exists and must be paid attention to. The book is distinctive and provocative—adding to what is known about how organizations function.

Speed Leas
Consultant in Congregational Conflict

Michael's clarity and insights in discerning Congregational Identity provide valuable tools for leadership and interpersonal relationships in congregations.

Rev. Yvonne Marshall
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church

Michael's way of relating to people from a Christian perspective is outstanding. He is insightful, compassionate, wise, and affable in his approach to situations that are challenging and problem-solver par excellent. Michael's insights into congregational personalities allows us a deeper insight into the dynamics of our congregation;

Rev. Lowell Halvorson
First Lutheran