Innovative Ministry

Innovative Ministry
Please Don’t Make “How Many Watched Online?” Our New Ministry Metric
While necessary right now and important in the future, we can't close our eyes to the downsides of online church.

It’s a whole new ballgame.

In a matter of just a few weeks, churches all around the world have a new standard for measuring ministry success.

And I’m trying not to be cynical about it.

So here’s my best shot at a non-cynical (but certainly skeptical) take on this. ...

Continue Reading ...
Innovative Ministry
I Just Subscribed To More Than 100 Church YouTube Channels – Here’s Why You Should, Too
Here's a simple way to help online churches reach even more people through YouTube.

We’re all doing church online now.

If your church is new to this, and you’re putting your church on YouTube, your YouTube URL looks something like this:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3iMLx7Dyfi3T097D7VEnA

What you want is something like this:

https://www.youtube.com/GodsGraceChurch

Continue Reading ...
Innovative Ministry
So Your Small Church Live-Stream Stinks – Here’s Why That’s Okay
If you want to make a real difference, don’t get bogged down in the details of video streaming.

Just about every church is live-streaming their services now.

Necessity being the mother of invention (and adaptation), we’re all doing what we have to do.

Churches with pre-existing live-stream technology are learning how to conduct their service from an empty room, while ...

Continue Reading ...
Innovative Ministry
Church Canceled? 6 Ways To Respond – And 5 Ways Not To
The church is always at our best, not when things are going well, but when we respond in a Christ-like manner to a difficult circumstance.

Did you just find out that your home church won’t be holding public services this weekend?

If so, you’re not alone.

Your church leaders aren’t panicking. At this point, especially if your church is large, this is a responsible decision.

The current global health ...

Continue Reading ...
Innovative Ministry
100 Days To A Healthier Church Launches Today!
Here’s an excerpt from my latest book, a practical, principled plan for your church to get one step healthier.
100 Days To A Healthier Church Launches Today!

Today is the day!

You can now buy a copy of my newest book, 100 Days To A Healthier Church!

Here’s an excerpt.

Chapter 2: What Can Be Done in 100 Days?

Turning a church from unhealthy to healthy is a daunting task.

It starts by working smarter, not harder.

Here’s an example.

Continue Reading ...
Innovative Ministry
You’re Allowed To Care About One Thing Without Campaigning For Everything
Saying “no” to some good things so you can say "yes" to other good things is an essential step in being effective.

So you’ve found something you care about.

You’re involved. You feel like you’re making a difference.

Then you post about it on social media. Not to brag, just because that’s what you do with causes you care about.

Most of the responses are positive and uplifting, ...

Continue Reading ...
Innovative Ministry
“Get More People In The Room” Is Dead. Here’s What’s Replacing It
Size is no longer considered a sign of health by the average church member or spiritual seeker.

There are very few pastors who would say that bigger churches are inherently better than smaller churches. But most pastors believe it would be better if their church got bigger.

Not only do most pastors want their churches to get bigger, they believe it’s worth an extraordinary ...

Continue Reading ...
Innovative Ministry
Why “Learn With Me” Is So Much Better Than “Learn From Me”
Don’t just teach us what you know, teach us what you’re learning.

We’re all trying to understand the most essential elements of our existence.

Life, love, faith, family, church... and toilet paper rolls (under or over?)

No one has it all figured out.

This is why teachers need to start from an attitude of humility. Especially if we’re ...

Continue Reading ...
Innovative Ministry
How To Discover Your Ministry When Your Calling Isn’t What You Expected
If you can’t do the kind of ministry that’s expected of you, try the unexpected.

One of the first steps to figuring out what you do well is to find out what you don’t do well and cross it off your list.

That’s how I ended up being the “go-to small church guy”.

No matter how hard I tried, how much I learned, how often I prayed, or how ...

Continue Reading ...
Innovative Ministry
5 Tips To Reduce Misunderstandings In An Information-Soaked Culture
No one is a perfect communicator. Even if our facts are correct, the way we say them matters.

Never underestimate the possibility that someone will misunderstand what you’re saying.

That’s always been one of my guiding principles whenever I speak or write. And it’s becoming more important every day for anyone who wants to communicate accurately, clearly ...

Continue Reading ...

Read More from Karl

Follow Christianity Today

Free Newsletters