Ordained Associate Pastors
Mainline churches should avoid like the plague bringing ordained Associate Pastors on their staff. Instead they should raise up effective, non-ordained staff. There are several reasons for this: 1. They already have the DNA of the congregation. 2. Their effectiveness has been observed long enough to know they can do what they are being hired […]
The Changing Times: Track 3 Questions
For the past decade I have said that we are nearing the time when it will no longer be true that the vast majority of people are converted before the age of 18. I think by the year 2050, that the majority of people will be converted after the age of 18. If this is […]
What is a Disciple?
We need a new understanding of what it means to be a disciple. I have goofed in the past trying to define a disciple by describing the attributes. But a much better way exists. A disciple is two things ‚ a student and an apprentice of Jesus. The student studies Jesus to be knowledgeable about […]
Greying in America
This month’s leadership tip is somewhat different. I received the following email this month. I thought my response to it might be worth sending to you as the tip of the month. I just finished reading your article entitled “Reflecting on the Greying of America.” At the end of your article you say that you […]
Churches Doing Small Groups
Churches doing small groups as the lifeblood of the church need to consider the following key issues. To overlook any one of these is to lay the foundation for failure. 1. Leadership training must occupy a priority place in your ministry. Studies show now that leadership training is the most essential part of small group […]
Leaders Take Responsibility
Leaders always take responsibility for the situation in which they find themselves. They never blame someone or something else for the situation. This means that leaders always tackle whatever the situation is like and change it. If one does not do that, one is not yet a leader. Leaders never say, “if the system would […]