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…preferred “modern” over “traditional” (40%) worship. (This doesn’t mean that you need to buy a smoke machine — though many churches with them successfully reach this generation.) Instead, this choice…
…a confidential, online, 360° leadership assessment instrument for pastors, staff, and other church leaders Free Clergy Evaluation Resources from the Lewis Center Leaders Know Themselves by Lovett H. Weems, Jr….
…follow up with visitors consistently throughout the year — for example, something that is sent to every first-time visitor, something different for second-time visitors, and so forth. The key is…
…in communication, marketing, fundraising, and other needed specialties. The traditional role of church secretary is being reshaped, or in some cases replaced, due to advances in software and electronic communication….
…— courage, conviction, collaboration, and creativity. There is nothing magical about any one of these four “C’s.” But the collective energy in harnessing the four together propelled Tubman’s and Douglass’…
…have so little sympathy for the poor, is, because they so seldom visit them,” Wesley wrote. “Hence it is, that, according to the common observation, one part of the world…
…Pew Research Center, November 5, 2019.) Fifty-five percent say churches and religious organizations do more good than harm; fifty-three percent say religious organizations strengthen morality in society; 50 percent say…
…you can do to influence it yourself. What especially can you do if your congregation is, as some leaders have described their present situation, “in financial free-fall”? Remember your values,…
…generations. Crisis confirms that the church is essentially community or, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer posited over 90 years ago, “Christ existing as community”. In times of disruption, crisis, and isolation, persons…
…victims. In addition to church-related resources, be aware of community resources, especially sexual assault or rape crisis counselors. 5. Provide education on the complaint process. Insist on education about the…
…starts, you should be thinking of other opportunities to extend invitations to VBS families, whether it’s Sunday School kickoff, a back-to-school event, an end-of-summer block party, or parenting classes. Then,…
…talking to each other; they were greeting each other by name and checking on each other. “Hi fam.” “Buenos días!” “Sending virtual hugs to you.” “How’s that sweet little boy…
…people give their ongoing tithes and offerings out of their income or regular monthly cash flow. But for many people (not all, of course) income is not the only “pocket”…
How many members does your church have? Do you tend to think first of what those members need (hospital visits, sermons, childcare, parking, Bible studies, etc.) or the impact that…
…“blessing of the bikes” in the church parking lot. “It was a pretty cool sight,” says Kerlin, “to see 80-year-old church ladies across the table from tattooed motorcycle enthusiasts clad…
…Good teams have a “captain” who maintains the focus on the vision, attends to the climate of the team, facilitates the group’s processes, and keeps communication flowing. Related Resources: Building…
…fundraiser, we strategically create a scheduled communication plan that typically includes each of the following: compelling newsletter articles, an invitation to give letter, blog posts, a video, photo displays in…
…returns, the churches normally have a way of responding to their increased interest. For many years, the ideal sequence was for someone to visit, return, become more involved, and join…
…Resources Relationships Are Everything by Lovett H. Weems, Jr. Leadership is Always About Others by Lovett H. Weems, Jr. 50 Ways to Increase Active Engagement, a free Lewis Center resource…
…program, you’ll better shape the recruitment language. Recruitment The way you recruit should also match the commitment required. If, for example, you are planning a one-hour packaging event for a…
…race, accent, stature, education, appearance, dress, and other factors — will shape various impressions that “cognitive misers” use to get a take on a new person. Yes, this includes stereotypes,…
“For where your treasure is, there your heart shall be also.” (Matthew 6:21) Jesus talked a great deal about money. And in our monetized society, effective pastoral ministry has a…
…symbolic. Communion requires an investment in one another that moves beyond surface acknowledgement. For example, we may be experiencing hurt and pain in a congregation; but in taking communion together,…
…participate in these conversations? (9:43) Chapter 3: How can congregations partner with law officials in the community? (13:39) Chapter 4: What can your congregation do to make a difference? (13:33)…
C. Anthony Hunt explains how Martin Luther King, Jr.’s prophetic witness was grounded in four principles — call, conviction, courage, and commitment. Even fifty years after King’s assassination, these principles…
…who can objectively say, “I don’t think that’s really about you.” It helps to grow a thick skin and stay deeply reflective and prayerful. Cross-cultural ministry is deeply contextual. So,…
…visit again. This can be extremely frustrating, especially for a congregation seeking to grow. The question is, “Why don’t they come back?” Sometimes, when visiting a congregation, it feels like…
…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…
…a free video on clergy taxes in its Clergy Personal Finance Resources collection of video and print resources. You can find the tax video in the “Compensation and Taxes” unit….
…is announced each week (welcome, attendance, etc.) and no more than two or three announcements specific to what’s coming up in the life of your church. 3. Think creatively about…
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.
