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Do you want amazing worship on a small church budget? Teresa Stewart, a blogger and creator of the website Paper Bag Cathedrals, shares ways small congregations can enliven their worship….
…are the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Church of the Nazarene, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, and Wesleyan Church. While changes…
…In other words, don’t use this service, often filled with excited children, to deconstruct the legends of St. Nick. That is their parents’ job, not yours. 3. Don’t lapse into…
…to ask, ‘Is it going to be a one-off or a long-term investment?’” Wood said. “It’s something our church has decided has a huge payoff.” 4. Take time to think…
…the congregation. Late Majority. Another 34%. They demonstrate a high degree of skepticism. Are often seen as “the guardians of tradition.” They offer their support eventually — if and when…
…(technology), and we have done without things we thought were indispensable (hospital visits). We have realized how much of what we did was meaningless repetition (endless meetings), and we’ve come…
…be placed in the sanctuary and used as worship is filmed and photographed. 7. Have a virtual (live or prerecorded) Christmas pageant using Zoom and/or Facebook Live. 8. Host a…
…whether its decision-making structures are effective, efficient, and fruitful. But it is equally true that moving to a one-board model isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution or a quick fix for the…
…“What? That’s bananas!” For the ridiculous (“The donkey was talking? Really?”), you should turn to the person next to you and say, “Come on!” or “There’s more to this story…
…committees is only a first step. So, … what can we do to change this? Well, first, it’s not as simple as just getting rid of all committees. That step…
…This requires more in-depth training than just for their tasks, including a biblical understanding of Ephesians 4:11–13, especially verse 12: “to equip his [God’s] people for works of service, so…
…Christian country. As in the U.S., there is a cultural Christianity, but that has waned quite a bit here. That’s the trend line of U.K. Christendom. Now one of the…
…play in nurturing generosity, research suggests that when seeking financial support for the church is left solely to the pastor, it can come across as self-interested or create awkwardness. This…
…designed for pastors. You will be introduced to: Conflict Styles Components of Conflict Active Listening Conflict Analysis Dialogue Facilitation Friday, October 25, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. In person at…
…gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. To my surprise the banner became a selfie hotspot. All during Lent that year, my phone didn’t stop dinging because every time someone…
…of Younger Clergy in the UMC: Young Clergy and Candidates Speak Out is Wednesday, October 21 at noon Eastern time. Register free now at https://wesleyseminary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y8vMr5gSQAGfPq348kGUOg. Panelists …
…that everyone will be welcomed (32%), making friends and nurturing friendships (29%), support during difficult times (28%), and learning more about God (27%). Less motivating are opportunities for Bible study,…
…God’s mission, not in the individual pastor’s particular vision. Transitions are hard. Change is hard. Transitions are often especially hard in the church. Not long ago, I left a beloved…
Lovett H. Weems, Jr., says that giving at year-end represents an increasing portion of total giving in many churches. Recognizing the many different circumstances that may motivate people’s desire to…
…Church by Lovett H. Weems, Jr. What is “Adjacent Possible”? Can It Benefit Your Church? by Lovett H. Weems, Jr. Look for Options, Not Solutions by Lovett H. Weems, Jr….
…and the new exist side-by-side. One church I worked with, St. Mark’s Episcopal in Teaneck, New Jersey, found that cooperation with the Catholic hospital next door worked like a charm….
…a time. There were other cars that didn’t stop, but showed support by calling out “Thanks!” or “Great job!” or “What’s the name of your church?” to our volunteers on…
…Step to Excellence by Lovett H. Weems, Jr. Doing Things Well by Lovett H. Weems, Jr. Bearing Fruit: Ministry With Real Results by Lovett H. Weems, Jr., and Tom Berlin…
…to Listen Do not just listen to advice. Listen to hopes and dreams, fears and joys. You may think “Oh, I know what they need.” You don’t, but they do,…
…doors, and no sharp objects or safety hazards. Toys and books for children ages 0-5, such as blocks, trains, riding toys, dress-up clothes, dolls, highchairs, walkers, and bouncy seats Simple…
…discontent in their groups. Sean Martin, professor at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, writes, “[Some leaders tend to] demonstrate self-confidence and comfort with risk-taking — and sadly,…
…shift. Because we’re in the midst of that shift now, we’re on the way towards “writing the book,” so to speak. We see among our graduates a real focus on…
…In the spiritual formation portion of the meeting, someone asked if she was okay. “No. I am not okay. I am distraught,” Debbie said. “I believe with all my heart…
…aren’t someone who has dropped in with a pat formula to improve them. You’re not punching a time-clock. You are really interested in them. What’s a broad representation of leaders?…
…This article is adapted from Sue Nilson Kibbey’s book Flood Gates: Holy Momentum for a Fearless Church (Abingdon Press, 2016). Used by permission. The book is available at Cokesbury and…
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.
