Small Church Thinking
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 […]
Is that a Visitor? Are You Sure?
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 […]
Good Beginnings
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 […]
Three Common Contagious Church Viruses: Part 3
“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 […]
Know the Competition
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 they’re […]
The Future Of Your Church
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 […]