Subscribe free to "Leading Ideas" at churchleadership.com/leadingideas. Every Wednesday, "Leading Ideas" delivers information, resources, and strategies for forward-thinking church leaders.
…and growth. Brand and Niche According to most management literature, successful enterprises today ask “What’s our brand?” and “What’s our niche?” before addressing the standard 4-P’s of marketing — product,…
…an explosion of internet campuses in the coming years. Called by many names — internet campus, iCampus, cyber church, digital church, virtual church, church in the cloud — an online…
…assembly.” Likewise, the word “synagogue” is derived from the Greek word synagein, and means “to bring together.” In Hebrew, a synagogue is referred to as beit ha-knesset, which has the…
…a contemporary worship environment. This successful initiative helped the congregation expand its boundaries by moving from “either/or” to “both/and”thinking. Yet too often, multi-site congregations are criticized by other churches for…
…“authentic”? Here’s an easy way. Look at your past ten posts/tweets/etc. Read them. Are these ten items pushing events, making announcements, delivering marketing pitches? If more than two are, your…
…read scripture, usher, or serve as a communion steward. Create “care packages” for students before finals week. Cookies, small toys, pens, sticky notes, stuffed animals, and even a Slinky would…
…buildings are sacred to God: “The Most High God does not dwell in houses made by human hands” (Acts 7:48). If we push on the idol of sacred structures, we…
…society includes at least four distinct adult generations — the Silent Generation (born 1925–1945); Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964); Generation X (born 1965–1981); and the Millennial Generation (born 1982–2001). Never have…
…while never addressing what people really want to know: “What’s in it for me?” He shares some simple fixes for these common communication challenges. We’ve got great ministry ideas, and…
…Rescue Center into our two Sunday morning worship services. (Fortunately, the hospital lab is the site of a research project that requires a satellite.) We did this as a surprise…
…have developed habits of giving that rely on e-giving methods. Many of our congregations, however, haven’t yet responded to these changes. So, what do we know about church-related electronic giving?…
…worshipers. The following suggestions will help make your newsletter appealing to all readers. Use your newsletter to educate, build community, and create institutional loyalty. Focus on people, not just events….
…mother’s name!” We started talking while waiting for lunch to come, and then I handed her my business card and said, “It has been so great to meet you! I…
…communion and the offering, greeting time, and public singing. All of these help to ensure the safety of the vulnerable, our children, and more. Any church, regardless of size and…
…“Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes.” 3. How can we maintain appropriate social distancing? The need to maintain proper social distancing calls into…
…suffering around us never get the last word. God’s comfort, power, and resurrection actually do get the last word. 1. Pace yourself. This is a marathon. We don’t have to…
…leaders. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). This article originally appeared in Luther Seminary’s Stewardship Leaders Newsletter Issue #12, July 21, 2020. Used…
…for these recordings: good lighting, with phone close so audio is clear; indicate whether you want landscape orientation (like a movie) or portrait orientation (like a selfie). 7. Don’t rule…
…space — ministry leaders, small groups, committees, faith formation, Bible study, or social groups? 2. Create a plan. Find out if there are guidelines in place from your church leadership,…
…church can support them, their employees, and their business. 2. Walk the neighborhood — repeatedly. Pray as you walk. Pray for the neighbors, the community, the well-being of your neighbors,…
…start asking. We recommend the following strategies: 1. Call them. You’ll probably have to leave a message, so be prepared to talk to voicemail. Be specific: “Hi, [name], this is…
…to sharing their treasure and their time. I’m getting older. Some would say I’m already old. While I’m not retiring yet, I recognize that it’s true that what retirement looks…
…of failure, but the problem ran much deeper. Teenagers in their community felt that if they failed at anything (school, sports, extracurriculars, etc.), then they were fundamentally a failure. The…
…the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, where, with rioting and insurrection, lives were lost, people were beaten and terrorized, federal property was destroyed, elected officials’ lives were threatened, and…
…confirmation, conversion, and baptism. Here we use “professions of faith” when referring to all first-time faith commitments. Let’s take two examples. Each of two churches last year averaged 100 worshipers…
…Transformational Guide to Church Finances (Rowman and Littlefield, 2021) by Lovett H. Weems Jr. and Ann A. Michel. This book is available at Cokesbury, Rowman & Littlefield, and Amazon. Used…
…out of the evaluation process altogether. Stress and burnout When a pastor’s job expectations are not (1) clear, (2) shared with the congregation, (3) adjusted to reflect current realities, and…
…is, some folk miss the announcements every week. Others never read the newsletter. So, communicating only in these ways will miss people. Using various forms of communication is key to…
…service times, liturgy, responses, music (amount and message), bulletins, verbal announcements, human resources, flow, prayer, collections, sermon — should be evaluated for its relevance, purpose, authenticity, necessity, and contribution to…
…you. If we are just like everyone else, what’s the point? Truth is, God has made you unique. You have a combination of gifts, personality, sphere of influence, way of…
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.
