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…community, which is the reverse of the way most people come into traditional churches, where someone might first come to worship and then gets involved in a social group. Why…
Jayne Davis suggests a few spiritual practices that can help anchor you to God and bring joy, meaning, and deep rest in the coming new year. They include gratitude, wonder,…
How can churches help a new generation of givers skeptical of institutional allegiances embrace the practice of pledging? Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff says it’s critical to frame…
…in bylaws. Legal counsel is recommended to ensure that this policy complies with state laws impacting investments, endowments, and charitable giving by nonprofit organizations. 3. Finance policy These policies provide…
…Related Resources Staying Connected in a Time of Social Distancing by Doug Powe Committing to a Hybrid Model of Ministry by Tom Berlin Communicating in a Crisis by Mike Bonem…
Amy Valdez Barker says that the church should be a training center in the development of trust. She names practices that leaders can employ when groups come together to create…
Lee Ann M. Pomrenke says the beloved metaphor of church as family can stand in the way of a congregation being truly open and inclusive. The church is a movement…
…follow up. Community Block Party This was simply an opportunity to bring the southeast community together. We collected names by having people register for give-aways. Gas Buy-Down We partnered with…
…the Point: Suggestions for Churches with a Single Pastor, a free tipsheet from the Lewis Center 5 Ways to Help Church Staff Succeed by Ann A. Michel Image by Freepik…
…friendly church. Why don’t visitors come back?” Many congregations struggle to understand why they get visitors who seem to enjoy their visit and say they are returning soon, but never…
…do it to people, and don’t do it to the speaker. We began to make people more comfortable in talking about generosity. Such talk is the beginning of the vulnerability…
…the example of companies selling audio players. Over many years, the purpose of their products — to provide a quality listening experience — doesn’t change. But successful companies know that…
…diversity of practice among different congregations when it comes to stewardship and generosity. We are constantly amazed by the diversity of practice among different congregations and different faith traditions when…
…work. Here are some recommendations as you do the weeding for your meetings: 1. Practice mutual accountability from the beginning. We are accountable first to Jesus Christ and God’s mission…
…seriously this idea that the church is an anchor institution in the community. Could you describe this approach and give an example of what it looks like in practice? Allen…
…of your church, and extending it to the people in your community. The Two-Degree Rule The Two-Degree Rule is the practice of identifying what we do well and then turning…
…the list of things that can make visitors uncomfortable or even turn them away. 1. Asking visitors to introduce themselves in worship It’s common practice in many churches to ask…
…communication. Use Facebook as a supplementary way of keeping up to date with people you care about, but never as a substitute for face-to-face ministry. Complying with denominational expectations. Increasingly,…
…adult newspaper, and investigated opportunities for specific young adult ministry. Hospitality in a congregation is the practice of openness, invitation, and welcome that reflects the hospitality of God. This practice…
…only once a year, in “The Annual Stewardship Sermon,” which generally comes at the end of a perfunctory commitment campaign. What if, instead, stewardship sermons were preached at various times…
…figure out how to measure “increased community awareness.” Saul points out that you can get some clues about your outcomes by evaluating one of your programs and asking why you…
…sermon is a central component of the worship service. Over half of a one-hour service is dedicated to the reading of Scripture, the proclamation of the sermon, and an opportunity…
…the community shares its common story and continues to participate in that story. In baptism, we enter a community that commits to form us as we grow in discipleship. In…
…Community,” Leading Ideas, January 25, 2015.) Now, churches in some parts of the country are holding outdoor events to minimize the risk of transmitting coronavirus. For example, in Texas, where…
…open its doors and welcome those who come rests on the outdated cultural assumption that people wake up on Sunday morning motivated to find their way to a church. Successful…
…that some great preachers are also gifted communicators, great talent is not essential to be a great preacher. All you have to do is learn and apply what great preachers…
…is a fresh kind of energy that comes with that hope. Small congregations can be extremely vital and effective faith communities. Sensitivity to their special characteristics will help a leader…
…community prayers are prayed made the visitor feel left out. What in your congregation might feel like a warm and cozy time to catch up on news, might feel to…
…about some points of tension at home. They could even open up about emotional challenges in their personal life. Your objective is to understand where they are coming from —…
…of stories should come as no surprise to Christian leaders. The narrative of creation, the fall, redemption, and restoration, points us to the ultimate story of God’s work in redemptive…
This article is reprinted by permission from Leading Ideas, a free e-newsletter from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary available at churchleadership.com.
