An Either/Or World
For the week of July 10, 2006 An Either/Or World By: Bill Easum Numerous books have been written lately on the emerging church. Many of these books are excellent in their content and analysis of the culture. Three of these books stand out from the rest – The Shaping of Things to Come, Revolution, and […]
What Can You Do to Have a Summer Hump instead of a Summer Slump?
What Can You Do to Have a Summer Hump Instead of a Summer Slump? By: Bill Easum I remember my first visit to Prince of Peace Lutheran right after Mike Foss arrived. I was impressed by something they did in the summer to have a summer hump instead of slump. They added an outdoor worship […]
Break Out of Program Silos
Break Out of Program “Silos” By: Tom Bandy Most church staff leaders find themselves trapped in management roles for programs. Growing churches break their staff out of management by deploying them at the “intersections” of the disciple-making process. In other words, their job is not to manage programs but develop leaders. They prioritize one-to-one time […]
Leaders Lead … in the Spiritual Life
For the week of June 19, 2006 Leaders Lead … in the Spiritual Life By: Tom Bandy Many pastors lament the low spiritual discipline of adult members of the church. It is very common for less than 5% of the adults in any established church to be in any accountable spiritual growth; and although many […]
The Strategic Issue for Every Board
The Strategic Issue for Every Board By: Tom Bandy Change is inevitable, even if we stay the same. Therefore, no matter what we do, somebody will be dissatisfied. Somebody will leave church. We cannot keep everybody happy, and complete harmony is forever beyond our grasp. Therefore, the painful question every Board members face is: “Are […]
The Deepest Challenge
The Deepest Challenge By: Tom Bandy Behind and underneath all the other resistance or anxiety about change and growth, leaders have discovered the root cause of decline and plateau in the church. The real question is: “With my (our) first breath and last penny, will it be “me” or “mission”? This is true both for […]