The Missional Church’s Mission

The other day I wrote a blog on preaching memorable, life changing sermons that drew a slew of controversy. It wasn’t about the preaching that was at odds, but a passing statement I made on my way to teaching how to make a sermon life changing. That statement was this: One might have thought I’d […]

5 Ways You Make Your Guests Feel Comfortable

Why evangelism isn't working

Church visitors come and church visitors go. And most of the time, it’s just like that. In a typical North American church, less than 15 percent of all first-time visitors ever return. Over the years, I’ve spoken with hundreds of business owners and every one of them has agreed – if they only retained 15 […]

From Doers to Equippers – Part One

In the majority of established churches in the U. S., the paid staff does most of the daily ministry. All one has to do is read passages like Ephesians 4:11-12 and I Peter 2:9 to see that God never intended for churches to function that way. What Christianity needs today is a fresh view of […]

Use and Misuse of Signs

Waiting for the next something

Signs are a plus if you use them correctly, but they are a waste of money if you use them incorrectly. Let’s look at the difference. A church down the street from me purchased a beautiful digital sign a couple of years ago. I have to drive by that church almost every day. Of course, […]

Turn Christmas Eve Visitors Into Returning Guests

Christmas Eve is fast approaching. Historically, your worship service/s on that holy night will have the highest number of visitors who have limited or no church experience. Indeed, the Nones are more likely to attend your Christmas Eve service than any other service of the year. If your church is like the vast majority of North […]

From Doers to Equippers – Part Three

What happens during the transition? The pastor must carefully and slowly chip away at destroying the dependent culture and establishing a growth culture. For eight years, I chipped away at changing the culture to one of equipping. I spent those 8 years filtering out whom I had to see and get fired and whom I […]