Becoming the Church People Choose confronts one of the defining challenges of our time: at the very moment people are more isolated, anxious, and disconnected than ever, the church—called to be a place of hope and belonging—often feels adrift itself.

In this timely and compelling book, Kay Kotan and Kelly Collins invite church leaders to reimagine the church not as a static institution, but as a living, relational port of call—a safe harbor where people find connection, formation, and purpose before being sent back into the world renewed and equipped.

Using a powerful nautical framework, the authors present Christ as the unchanging Lighthouse, the church as the harbor, and people as ships navigating life’s storms. Within this vision, three essential “ships” shape a thriving congregation: relationships, discipleship, and leadership. When these three move together in intentional orbits, the church becomes a place people do not attend out of obligation—but choose because it meets their deepest longings for belonging, growth, and meaning.

Grounded in current research, real-world ministry experience, and Wesleyan theology, Becoming the Church People Choose addresses the realities of post-COVID, post-Christian culture with clarity and hope. Kotan and Collins explore the relational crisis affecting mental health, young adults, mothers, and those who feel disconnected from organized religion, while offering practical pathways for churches to respond with compassion, relevance, and missionally focused love.

This is not a book about quick fixes or trendy programs. Instead, it calls leaders to refocus on what truly matters: creating authentic relationships, forming disciples whose faith shapes their daily lives, and cultivating leaders who multiply health and mission. Readers are guided to examine their church’s current “charted course,” identify misalignments, and courageously adjust toward a more adaptive, people-centered future.

Written for pastors, church staff, lay leaders, denominational leaders, and ministry teams, Becoming the Church People Choose provides both vision and direction. It challenges churches to move beyond maintenance and nostalgia and toward becoming vibrant communities that serve as beacons of hope in an anxious world.

Ultimately, this book is a hopeful invitation—to rediscover the church’s calling as a place where people are welcomed, formed, and sent; where Christ’s light guides every journey; and where the church once again becomes the harbor people are searching for, even if they don’t yet know how to name it. What Readers are saying:

In Becoming the Church People Choose, Kay Kotan and Kelly Collins give us practical prescriptions for helping the church come out of its largely self-inflicted storm and back into port to refurbish for the journey of connecting with what Jesus had in mind for the church’s mission. Here’s a clue to their insight: it’s not about saving the ship. Their work moves us from a church-centric to a kingdom-centric agenda!

Reggie McNeal, Author of Kingdom Come

I’m so grateful for Kay and Kelly and their prophetic voice and wisdom, offered to the church in this day and age!

Rachel Gilmore, Co-author of Followers Under 40

I was one of those kids Kay and Kelly write about in Prophets to the Generations. They want to give the church the tools to befriend, connect, and relate to the 12-year-old me. They have my admiration and respect.

Jim Henderson, Author of Evangelism Without Additives

Becoming the Church People Choose is a powerful resource for ministry leaders seeking to inspire themselves and others to follow God’s course. This resource is perfect for ministry leadership teams to read together as they discern God’s path for their church.

Ken Willard, Author of Beacon of Hope

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