Career or Call (from 21st Century Strategies for Church Growth)

In the introduction of 21st Century Strategies for Church Growth, my primary purpose is helping a pastor decide whether or not they can handle the heat in the kitchen of church growth. The following excerpt challenges each reader to question themselves about why they’re in ministry in the first place. It comes across as a […]

21st Century Strategies for Church Growth

Over the next several months I’ll be working on what we consider the foundations for church growth. It’s based on the nine strategies we’ve identified as the core for faithful, effective, and sustainable church growth in the 21st century. As I write, I’ll be posting segments here … and I’ll endeavor to post something from […]

New Year, New You

do you honor the people God loves?

And by “new you” I mean “new congregation.” With over 85 percent of all churches in North America either in decline or on a plateau (and those on a plateau are generally those on the precipice and about to go over the cliff of a decline), a makeover of your congregation is probably in order. […]

Just Say No!

One of the toughest things to do is say no. In the How to Say “No” episode of Church-Talk Drs. Bill and Kris share not only how to say no, but how to help those you lead to say no. It’s no secret that one of the most difficult things to learn to say is […]

Effective Multi-Generational Worship Demands New Thinking

The Importance of Measuring Results

Planning on reaching the younger generation with today’s common worship tools? In the words of Seth Meyers, really? Beginning in 1950, each new generation has been raised within a learning paradigm that is significantly different from the one before it. Those born prior to 1950 may be called the “Radio Generation.” Their learning paradigm is […]

Hospitality Gone Awry

First-Time Guests

Sometimes you just can’t win. After a year of talking about what it takes to be a welcoming church, this image suggests one step forward and two steps back. To be honest, this congregation set their own table … I didn’t make any recommendations about their Sunday morning refreshment selection, and as you can see […]