There is a rightful concern in many churches today about the relative age composition of active church members. In fact, one of the most frequent consultation requests we receive is “help my church get younger.”
Let’s look at that one key factor that most often determines success in church consultations. You might be surprised.
On the one hand, I am hopeful for local congregations. I continue to see God working in countless churches. On the other hand, I see numerous warnings, more than I can remember in my lifetime. I call those warnings “fault lines.”
Aging pastors are just a symptom of the changing times. The fact that enrollments of seminaries are down is but another sign that God is changing the landscape of the local church yet again.
As I work with these pastors, I hear similar themes. What is taking place? Why are doubts creeping into their minds and hearts? Though I am certainly not all-knowing, I do see five key reasons for the doubts. Let’s look at each of them.
The questions pastors have typically revolve around three issues: How do I prepare my church for my retirement? What are some major financial issues regarding retirement? And, What do I do after I retire? Here are 10 tips that touch on those questions.
I have been amazed in each of these 30-day periods how the doors to evangelism have opened widely. It’s basic. God is answering my prayers.
We can identify some of the causes of the pastoral whiplash syndrome. But we need to do a much better job of helping pastors deal with this harsh reality. Here are five of most common reasons for the new reality of pastoral whiplash syndrome.
On the one hand, I am surprised at the decline of evangelism in most churches. But that is not the biggest surprise. The issue that perplexes and surprises me the most is that very few church leaders and members are even acknowledging the death of evangelism in their congregations and denominations.
I recently asked pastors how church members hurt them the most. It was amazing to hear these five responses repeatedly.
The question was straightforward: What are some of the most difficult things you have done in ministry?These 20 difficult challenges are listed by the frequency of the responses.
While we don’t have sufficient data to declare a definitive trend, we see reasons to urge church leaders to exercise caution before planning major budget increases in the months ahead. Here are five of those reasons.
“What is the future of work at church?” As church leaders ask that question, the answer becomes clearer and more relevant. We are watching closely the future of work beyond churches. Based on what we see at this point, we can offer 10 realities for church leaders and members.
Pastors are not alone in having stressful jobs. I don’t want to imply that their work is more difficult than other jobs. But pastors are unique in the cumulative number of microstresses in their lives. And, left alone without care, these microstresses can lead to a total collapse.
Before you cancel your church membership, would you look at the following seven considerations?
As we look back over this regathering phase, we admit that several developments caught us by surprise. Some are good. Some are not.
We're being intentional about providing resources for smaller churches. That is our stake in the ground.
Here are 10 of the most common developments we’ve discerned. They will likely become trends in 2023.
Churches with fewer than 250 in average worship attendance account for 92 percent of all churches in the United States.
One of the bigger struggles I’ve had with my prayer is perfunctory prayer.
