GalleryA Smooth as Glass Restart
Not every church is going to make it. Some need to restart. Here's a model for getting started from Central Christian Church is Texas.
A Quiet Mainline Rant
There are lots of things that frustrate church consultants. For me, at least lately, the biggest bang-my-head-against-a-wall issue is denominational distractions.
Let me give you a real-world example. Last summer, my denomination (Disciples of Christ) took a historical vote on who’s welcome on which side of the Lord’s Table. We’re not the first mainline denomination […]
GalleryRethink Your Budget Priorities
I was reading an article by Amy Butler on the ABP News site recently on the season of church budgets. She was responding to a writer who was comparing church budgets with budgets of other nonprofit organizations. Basically, the writer was complaining that the church spent too much money on staff and buildings and […]
GalleryWhat’s in a Name?
I was with a group of church planters recently, and the conversation around the table focused on naming the church. Most of the planters had already named their ministries, but a few were still in limbo… which can be a very good place to be.
So, if you haven’t yet named your church, or you’re […]
GalleryBlended Services… or Not
The following is an excerpt from our upcoming book, 21st Century Strategies for Church Growth.
One of the consistent messages we hear during onsite consultations is that the church is committed to reach those beyond the church walls. One of the realities these churches have to face is that there are a limited number of non-active […]
GalleryWe Shot Ourselves in the Foot – Again
It’s a sad day for United Methodists (who aren’t very united or Methodist anymore). The Judicial Council has failed to uphold the decision of the General Conference to end the long-standing guaranteed appointment for United Methodist clergy. Only fools would make a decision to keep such a debilitating practice. No one should be guaranteed […]
GalleryHospitality Gone Awry
Sometimes you just can’t win.
After a year of talking about what it takes to be a welcoming church, this image suggests one step forward and two steps back.
To be honest, this congregation set their own table … I didn’t make any recommendations about their Sunday morning refreshment selection, and as you can see it […]
GalleryAnnouncements Are Commercials
After receiving one of my church audit reports the pastor called and asked why I said they shouldn’t begin with announcements. I said to him, “Do you watch TV?” He replied, “Sure.” I said, “Do any of the programs open with all 15 minutes of commercials?” “No,” was his reply. “But what’s that got […]
GalleryTransformational Fallout
Think you’re going to lead your church successfully through the next growth barrier? You might want to think again – seriously. The success rate for barrier-breaking is less than 20 percent, and if you happen to be in a mainline denomination, your odds just dropped to 10 percent. The real bad news is this (and […]