Anyone who spies me in the morning has a pretty good idea that coffee is one of my best friends. A good cuppa is my near-constant companion from breakfast until an hour before lunch.
Except when I’m a visitor at church … or at least at most churches.
You see, although I’m not a […]
Many churches have taken a stand against any kind of the celebrating Halloween because the darkness the day and night may promote. “Because Halloween can be traced to distinctly pagan sources, it is reasonable that many believers would find some aspects of its celebration disturbing”. According to Focus on the Family’s founder, Dr. James […]
Small Church Thinking: A mindset that guarantees a church will remain small, no matter what efforts are made to the contrary.
There are many different mindsets that keep a church small, but I heard one just the other day … out loud in front of God and everybody else:
Why do we have to have two […]
I suspect we’ve all done it. I’d spotted a new face in the crowd on Sunday morning and I made a beeline to them when the service was done. I introduced myself and asked the fatal question:
Are you visiting this morning?
The visitor’s eyes furrowed and her face flushed slightly, “I’ve been a member of […]
There’s an old church planting saying that’s stuck with me for decades:
The End is in the Beginning
In other words, if you want the end result to be spectacular, then the beginning has to be designed to support that visionary end.
Unfortunately, many churches and many church leaders are operating under the illusion that if […]
“The Church Doctor will see you now.”
“Tell me,” the doctor said, “What seems to be ailing you?”
The church shared her symptoms. Lethargy. Uncontrollable membership loss. And an unmistakeable rumbly in her tumbly.
“It’s most likely one of three common contagious church viruses.”
Self-Interitis
Self-Interitis affects virtually all declining churches.
Symptoms: Inability to make changes that […]
In my community, there are a couple of new church starts kicking off. One’s in my denomination and another is in a denomination not too dissimilar to mine.
I’ve met both pastors. They’re younger than I am. They have more energy than I have (barely!). And they both have denominational funding behind them.
But […]
Is the future of your sitting in your pews?
Maybe
… but probably not.
The future of your church isn’t the legacy generation. Your seniors, whether Boomers or Builders, have largely brought your church to where it is – for better or worse. But they won’t be around in a few years, most haven’t invited anyone to […]
Almost every church leader I’ve met tells me they want to grow their churches.
Be careful what you ask for.
A growing church brings problems. LOTS of problems. To be honest, a growing church is a pain in the neck, back, backside, and pretty much everywhere else.
Why?
Because a growing church demands change. Real change. Painful change.
Imagine […]
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
and then