You Work Too Much
By: Jeff Patton When was the last time someone said that to you? Most of the stupid jokes I hear directed at pastors refer to the short work week (20 minutes on Sunday) and how easy it is to stand up each week and put people to sleep. Reality is far different and most (99%) of […]
Two More Weeks!
By Jeff Patton I heard it again today. Dramatic turnaround in congregations occurs about two weeks after you have decided to throw in the towel. Two weeks. Two weeks. I remember years ago when that was true for me. I was stymied by the controllers who were hindering every new project, each new idea being […]
Newbie Communication
When I go to most churches, even my own, I try to see everything as if I’m a newbie. Most of the time that’s not hard as I travel across the nation. Recently I was in a mid-sized church where the pastor delivered an eloquent sermon on the need for making connections in the church. […]
When You Need a Church Consultant
By: Jeff Patton I often wonder why would any pastor or congregation ever think about inviting a church consultant to their congregation. In my travels I am often asked by people on the airplane what a do for a living. Most are usually amazed that this vocation exists. Some are simply dumbfounded, “you mean churches even […]
Matthew Parties: A Small Group Growth Tip
The Matthew Party is one of the small group’s best multiplication tools. Matthew Parties are named for the party Matthew threw for his tax-collector friends on the evening he met Jesus. Matthew held this party so his friends could meet the Lord in a safe, hospitable setting (Mark 2:14–17). The Matthew Party at a small […]
Breaking the barriers
Every church has natural barriers through which it must pass as it grows. The numbers go something like this (all refer to worship attendance) 200, 500, 900, 3,000 and up. These barriers are not hard and fast numbers, only approximate numbers. In other words you may have to grow to 500 to be totally free […]