2017
Was yesterday a tough Sunday, pastor?
Again?
You did everything you know to do.
You prepared, prayed and studied all week long.
A couple days ahead of time, you got in touch with volunteers to remind them this was their Sunday to teach, sing, usher, and so on.
You arrived early, ...
Interning at a church is one of the best ways to prepare for pastoral ministry. Or to determine that pastoral ministry is not your calling (a distinction that is essential to know - and the sooner, the better.)
It’s also a wonderful opportunity for a church to expand its ...
People use a lot of excuses for not putting their best foot forward in pastoral ministry.
- “I love preaching, but I hate studying”
- “Teamwork isn't my strong suit – I’m an introvert”
- “I get impatient when things don't change fast enough”
People who don’t go to church, don’t want to go to church. They’re not rolling out of bed late on Sunday morning wishing they had somewhere more churchy to be.
In fact, a growing number of people who do go to church don’t want to go, either. If we don’t ...
Brand loyalty is dead.
Good riddance.
The so-called good-old-days when a person committed to a church, then stuck with it no matter what, have come to an end. But many churches don’t know it yet.
The same goes for denominations. Today, even fully committed believers are unlikely ...
I’m not a podcaster. But I’m becoming an avid listener.
If you’re a podcaster looking for an audience, I’m the kind of person you’re looking for. Someone who wants great content and will come back for more once I find it.
So what makes a great podcast ...
Leaders are learners. It’s an axiom as old as leadership itself.
I used to say leaders are readers. But that’s never been entirely true. Because you don’t need to be an avid reader to be a constant learner.
Some learn by collaboration and conversation. Some by ...
What does your church do well? And how long does it take a first-time guest to experience it?
Your response to those questions is a huge factor in how well your church attracts and keeps new people.
According to church leadership experts, most people will subconsciously decide ...
Do all healthy things grow?
Yes.
If a church is healthy, will it grow?
Also, yes.
Will that growth always result in larger congregational attendance?
Not so fast.
When Church Growth Theory Meets Church Life Reality
I know it seems logical.
If a church is healthy they’ll be reaching ...
I have no idea what the right way to do church is.
And I'm growing increasingly skeptical of anyone who says they know.
Sure, I write about it. But most of the time it's little more than "here's something that helps me and my church. Maybe it can help you and ...
Church internships are great. For the church and for the intern.
If they’re done right (yes, that’s a big “if”), they can confirm or define a call to ministry, provide real-life experience, enhance classroom learning, and bless a local church.
If you’re ...
I like big- and megachurches. I wish there were more of them.
I like small churches even more. I wish there were a lot more of them.
As I continue to write and speak about the value of small churches, I’m noticing a disturbing mini-trend that I want to opt out of. It’s ...
Your struggling church can turn around this year.
This month.
This weekend.
Because turnarounds can happen in an instant.
If you’re in a church that needs a turnaround, that’s the good news.
Now here’s some hard news. Good, but hard.
Turnarounds can happen fast. ...
Impact.
It’s what every pastor wants from our Sunday sermons (or talks, messages, homilies – take your pick).
We want to have impact. We want the message to stick. We want the words we speak to help people follow Jesus more closely.
Sermons aren’t just about Sunday. ...
Jesus was a small church pastor.
Every time I say that, people rush to remind me that massive crowds followed Jesus. Which, of course, is true.
It’s also true that Jesus is the founder, the savior, the builder and sustainer of the Church – all believers at all times ...