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…on a Sunday morning. We’re going to read the Bible. We’re going to do this ….”, I’m going to respond, great, that’s excellent. That will give you times of worship…
…in different life situations as well (e.g. men, women, younger, older, widowed, divorced). Their needs are just as real as those of married couples, and these can be good outreach…
…as the pastor builds credibility and comes to understand more of God’s calling for the congregation’s next faithful step. The First Chapter is a multi-year period of pastoral ministry coming…
…provide rich opportunities for growth. Three types of transitions Nancy Schlossberg’s Transition Theory identifies three different types of transitions: anticipated (what we can prepare for), unanticipated (sudden or unexpected transitions),…
…mistakes made. The sermon can offer an important reminder that by God’s grace in Jesus Christ, “everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Anticipate…
…be delightful. Adapted from Company’s Coming Is Your Church Ready?: Creating Transforming Experiences for Today’s Unchurched (2024) by Brett DeHart. The book is available at Amazon. Related Resources The New…
…apart. I mediated the discussion. Everyone was free to voice concerns but without personal attacks. Throughout the meeting, I continued to ask the group, “How can our actions help us…
…(37 minutes). Typically, they spend only 17 minutes reading. Considering all the emails, regular mail, magazines, best-sellers, and work reports that cross a person’s field of vision each day, a…
…was to reply: It is my experience that important matters (especially personal and pastoral matters) are best communicated in person in confidential conversation. In this regard, email, texting, and social…
…prepare people for discipleship, especially ministry. Making “God-sense” of life and what people do. They name people’s gifts and work as God sees them, and set them free to flourish….
…the church. Endowment should not replace the congregation’s annual giving but should expand giving. Done right, this policy can actually help increase giving. Done wrong, and just the opposite will…
…ministries, smoking cessation classes, and many more. Now they put all they were doing under the banner of a church “seeking God’s wholeness of body and spirit for everyone.” They…
…does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, . . . ”(John 15:13-15 NRSV) Isn’t it amazing to consider that Christ thinks of his…
…community and asking, “What does God want us to notice?” Assess needs. Doing “just anything” does not always amount to “doing good.” To give credibility to their mission efforts, congregations…
…has changed. There are fewer nuclear families and more extended-families, blended families, single-parent families, among others. Communities are changing as well, including their expansion given the global nature of today’s…
…did direct mail and radio advertising, but also had a personal presence, including going door-to-door. We met with editorial boards to introduce “Saint Mark Southeast” so they could come to…
…Leaders: Tools to Change Church Culture (Lucid Books, 2023) by Andy Lunt and Ted Brown. Used by permission. The book is available at Cokesbury and Amazon. Related Resources The Stone…
…View Lovett Weems’ 15-minute presentation “Reset and Refocus” presented at the United Methodist Financial Leadership Forum in March. Lovett H. Weems, Jr. – UMC Realities from Lewis Center on Vimeo….
…community where pet owners congregate, consider having your animal blessing at such a venue (local park, dog park, doggy day care, etc.). If possible, have worship outside in a fenced…
…all kinds of questions come to mind. “Should I bring my own Bible or use the one on the lectern?” “Should I read from a particular translation?” “Where do I…
…a zero-sum game. When power is shared well, everyone’s influence capacity grows. Conversely, when a leader tries to empower others by abdicating her own authority, everyone’s influence suffers. 4. Taking…
…or needed. It’s important to begin with an open mind, setting aside any agenda or preset ideas about what is needed. 2. Listen and learn. Before launching a partnership, invest…
…do it alone (and we shouldn’t have to). Faith formation is too important to be left to one person. Clearly, it’s not possible for us to be everywhere at once,…
…Comm andments for Pastors Leaving a Congregation, Eerdmans, 2006, ©Lawrence W. Farris. Used by permission. Farris is also author of Ten Commandments for Pastors New to a Congregation, Eerdmans, 2003,…
…on dedicated webpages. Feel free to review and use any of these resources that may be of help. View District Superintendent resource webpage. View Board of Ordained Ministry resource webpage….
…fresh insights to your leadership. The most recent podcasts include: Episode 28: “Faith and Public Life” featuring Mike McCurry Episode 27: “Breaking Free of Racist Systems and Structures in Your…
…as: speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:15); handling disputes forthrightly (Matt. 18:15ff); and operating openly (I John 1:5ff). 3. They have high emotional intelligence (EQ). Daniel Goleman reminds us…
…plan [Listening, Loving and Serving, Community Develops, Discipleship, Church Emerges, Do it again]. New churches need multiple funding sources from the beginning. One of our most successful new church planters…
…it.” Or, “Did you check with Mary? She’s in charge of groups.” It’s as if there is a secret, unwritten playbook being used against them. It can be so intimidating…
…almost 4,400 worshipers weekly, onsite or online. He shares tips on reaching people — even those who don’t look or act like “church people.” At Impact Church, we’re a group…
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.
