It has been said that “10:30 on Sunday morning is the most segregated time of the week.” I don’t have a problem with that if 11:30 is the most integrated time.
Transformation is not an optional prescription for the church, but pivotal upon which God intends the other ministry aspects to be built and balanced.
Creating an uncommon church that has both unity and diversity is a rarity. However, developing learners may be the key that takes your church in that direction.
Let’s look at some agenda questions that can stimulate spiritual discussion and learning.
Churches often mistake going, baptizing, and teaching (the hows) for the goal of making active, ongoing learners. So, with this in mind, let’s look at the hows of making active, ongoing learners.
I often ask my client churches to honestly tell me what they perceive as their church’s primary goal. This is not a scientific poll because these churches need to grow and they realize this (or they wouldn’t be hiring a church growth consultant). But their answers may mirror yours.
What leadership styles do you have in your church?
Since large gatherings can create excitement and attention, they often overshadow the key discipleship venue of small groups. To combat this, leaders must ensure that the church’s emphasis upon small groups is highlighted noticeably in official statements.
These are missional patterns that almost any church would want to embrace. But many people first react negatively toward the missional term because it is new and they do not fully know its meaning.
When it comes to groups, the cure is spelled: S.M.A.L.L., and the first step is surveying the types of groups you already have.
For 20-plus years I have studied how to successfully employ intervention events. Here are my top seven tips for successfully doing so.
The pages of history show ways small groups have been used. Learn how and why small groups promote both discipleship and church growth.
To maintain a healthy balance between an inward and outward church focus is to tackle ministry needs.
Here is the way needs of spiritual seekers are best understood.
Why do so many lay leaders roll their eyes when a new pastor wants to re-edit the mission and vision statement?
Slowly over time most churches grow primarily inward in their focus, rather than focusing outward to meet the needs of those outside the church.
