Growing Momentum

How does a church get momentum for transformation? There are four steps to gaining momentum for church transformation.

First, in addition to preaching from the “vision lectionary” (see our EBA resources), encourage lay leaders from your team to share their stories of personal transformation in worship. The more individuals talk about how God is reshaping […]

Enlarge My Territory

I have a plaque on a wall in my office that I look at often for inspiration. On it there are two verses that can be easily missed from one of the least-read books of the Bible, 1 Chronicles.

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez,saying, “I gave birth […]

A Culture of Fear

By Bill Easum with Doug Murren

The war with Iraq is “over” and the one in Afghanistan is winding down. But one thing is certain: The terrorists have already won because America is becoming a culture of fear. People are afraid to fly, even though they are more likely to be killed in an automobile […]

The Missing Piece to Spiritual Maturity

The fall is the traditional time for many churches to do their annual stewardship drive, if they still do them. So during this time of the year churches are searching for an effective stewardship program. But we know from experience that most stewardship programs lose their effect after two or three years, so the […]

Book Review: God Dreams

There’s a saying, no one seems to know who said it first, that “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.”  I try to stay out of those rooms whenever possible. So it wasn’t surprising to me when I found myself in the same room as Will Mancini and […]

How Crowdfunding Can Help Churches | A Definitive Guide

A Guest Post from Tejas Rane

A brief introduction

Churches know the importance of funding and how it can help fulfill the church’s visions and missions. Yet, it is also the toughest thing a church can ask for. Finding and raising the money necessary for missions is the crux of any church’s fundraising campaign. Traditional means […]

Stewardship is a Way of Life

We received a note today on our advanced leadership forum that asked what place to begin talking with churches about stewardship.  My response was this: stewardship of money comes from the heart.  That’s where you begin. 

Then a list of things I have believed for a long time surfaced in my pea brain.  I thought I would […]

Blended 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 […]

Email: Friend or Foe

One of my most common ongoing battles with congregational leaders I work with is the effective use of emails/Facebook messages, etc. The age of less-is-more, microwaves, and 140-character communication hasn’t just arrived; it’s made itself at home in the church. And though it might be rather convenient, I’m seeing an alarming rise in misunderstandings […]