And why should they turn on their headlights when visiting your church?
As I reflect on over five deacdes of vocational ministry, including 12 years in two church staff positions and 38 years as a Christian university professor, here’s a distillation of what I’ve learned the hard way. I wish I had known and applied these suggestions from the start.
How do you decide when to stop and when to keep pressing ahead?
In this 1-minute video strategy, I talk about showing your church how innovation reaches new people.
Marry yourself to these four practices and you will build momentum in your ministry.
How do we help pastors who are forcefully terminated find hope and healing?
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.”
Upholding a distinct standard of behavior between the church and the world stands as a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel.
In this one-minute strategy, Bob Whitesel explains the importance of keeping your communication simple.
Here are five ways to assess your current rhythm with suggestions for establishing next steps toward a new rhythm that’s effective for your local church:
Let’s look at that one key factor that most often determines success in church consultations. You might be surprised.
I think it comes down to this one thing: can you be a pressure-washing expert and a pastor, too? Is there a ministry in pressure washing people's stuff?
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.”
A key leadership aspect that can greatly impact a ministry is finding a niche. A discovered thought area where you can flourish and become an expert.
As a pastor, the past mistakes can truly haunt us, and feels like they can destroy our very being. Yet, be encouraged, you are purchased and redeemed by Christ who came and died for you.
God designed humanity for communion with others. He created us in his very image. The blueprint of God is woven into the very core of our being. Our souls long and desire for meaningful relationships.
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.
If you want to grow and become a healthier church, focus on falling on your knees and crying out to Him! Leonard Ravenhill put it well: “For this sin-hungry age we need a prayer-hungry church.”
There’s a tendency for many of us when we enter a new leadership role to roll out ablaze with new ideas and ways of doing things better.
