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 […]
Tell ‘Em What To Do
What’s the most important thing about your sermon? Is it the scripture you start with? The introduction that gets the congregation on board? The stories they’ll remember for the rest of their lives? The exposition of the deeper truths of the biblical passage? The application of those truths to real life? The invitation? Let’s agree […]
“Big Church” is for … Whom?
I’m not talking about mega churches or even large churches. I mean, who is your Adult Worship Service designed for? If your choir is singing in robes, it’s probably for Senior Adults who have lots of church experience. If your band sounds like Peter, Paul, and Mary with guitars and a keyboard, it’s probably for […]
Leap of Faith
One of my favorite movies is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. In it Harrison Ford’s character is faced with difficult trials in order to regain the Holy Grail, the cup Jesus used at his last supper. One of the tests he has to endure is to make a seemingly impossible leap across a multi […]
Next Steps?
Carol joined the church a month ago. She’d been attending worship for several weeks and liked what she heard and what she experienced. She’d even made a new friend or two. Joining the church seemed like a good thing to do. But that was last month. Carol still liked worship, but she was a bit […]
Make This Father’s Day Service Special
Let’s face it, Father’s Day is the Rodney Dangerfield of holidays. It’s the, “I get-no-respect” little brother to Mother’s Day. Interestingly, the American version of Father’s Day was first proposed in 1909 by a grateful daughter, Sonora Smart Dodd. Her father, a Civil War veteran, singlehandedly raised six children after his wife died in childbirth. […]