Retaining First-Time Guests

Getting people in your church’s door for the first time isn’t easy these days, but getting them to return a second and third time is even more difficult. However, you can do a few things that greatly raise the return rate.

The following is a seven step response to first time guests.

Step One:

Immediately following a […]

The Secret to a Memorable, Life-Changing Sermon

Startling Statistic: By Wednesday afternoon, your congregation remembers 10 percent or less of what you preached. That’s according to an Air Force study some years ago (and I can assure you, our attention spans and memories have not improved since then).

Sad Story: I was having breakfast with a church leader on Monday some years ago. I was […]

Easter Sunday Follow-Up Full Court Press

In most churches, Easter is their High Attendance Sunday – and, in spite of the March Madness games that will be played that weekend, there will still be plenty of Christian Alumnus showing up for services. 

A church full of visitors should be a premonition for every church’s future growth, but sadly, most churches will […]

Deepen Your Congregation’s Spirituality Quotient

Back in the mid-1980s, while I was an undergraduate at Florida Baptist College, my professor, Dr. LeRoy Benefield, shared insights that have stayed with me to this day. He recounted a statement from Billy Graham, who estimated that only about 10% of active church members were faithful, practicing disciples of Jesus Christ. This revelation […]

Why Today’s Churches Fail at Leadership Selection

Imagine stepping into a time machine and landing in the middle of one of the early church’s most pressing conflicts—a food pantry crisis that’s causing a rift within the congregation. This isn’t just any disagreement; it’s a pivotal moment that challenges the very fabric of church leadership and decision-making. This week, I want us […]

Easter Church Growth: Solving 3 Key Dilemmas

Easter Sunday rolls around with a kind of predictability that’s both comforting and challenging for pastors across the board. Let’s check out the scene: the church is brimming more than usual, the air is thick with the scent of fresh flowers – mostly lilies, and the folks sitting on the pews create a colorful […]

Inbox or Mailbox? Choosing Between Online & Offline Channels

To be a successful pastor or church leader, you have to be able to understand the needs of your community and personally connect with your congregation. You do this by communicating frequently and listening to what community members have to say—both at church and after they step outside of it.

But when you want to […]

AI: A Pastor’s Toolkit for Less Stress and More Bless

Imagine this: It’s early Monday morning, and you’re already feeling the weight of the week ahead. Your calendar is a jigsaw puzzle of meetings, administrative tasks, and pastoral duties. Somewhere between the budget review and the staff meeting, the heart of your calling—to connect, to bap all right screw it I’m doing here I’m just […]

Rise & Fall of the Nones: Culture Shift (Again)

In a recent revelation by Lifeway Research, the narrative surrounding the religiously unaffiliated, or “nones,” in America is undergoing a significant shift. For decades, the steady climb of individuals identifying with no religious affiliation has painted a concerning picture for faith communities across the nation. However, the latest findings suggest this trend may be […]