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How can your congregation deepen its connection to the community this holiday season? Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff offers six ways to engage people of all ages, including…
…congregations have an opportunity to serve their community in meaningful ways. “You don’t need to visit Ed; he has dementia.” I have heard a variation of this sentence more times…
…from us. The loss of social interaction, loss of mobility, loss of work and revenue, loss of freedom of choice are all things that can overtake our minds, cloud our…
Paul Nixon and Christie Latona say congregations ready to launch successful new initiatives typically possess four strands of congregational DNA — spiritual intensity, missional alignment, dynamic relationships, and cultural openness….
…one can take away from me what I have freely chosen to give. Humility takes a lifetime to cultivate but only a moment to plow under — a thoughtless comment,…
…The political fallout ever since has been rapid and constant. In this season when our communities are already beleaguered by the crises of coronavirus, racial tension, and economic distress; and…
…Worship. In this two-hour online workshop, participants will take a deep dive into the research-based principles that shape meaningful digital worship and tackle the specific design challenges their congregations are…
…Leading Meaningful Digital Worship” webinar, he explores key guiding questions that should drive digital worship design and shares case studies from the Religious Workforce Project (a research project funded by…
…where young people find meaning, community, and purpose — arenas of activity like redemptive agriculture, the arts, activism, and placemaking, to name a few. These domains lack a common identity-shaping…
…one only so far (after all, answers are eventually needed), the statement does reframe the work of leadership. The pastor or the board chair shouldn’t be expected to come to…
Church leaders seeking to reach new people and help them grow need only look to the example of Jesus. Phil Maynard and Eddie Pipkin highlight how Jesus engaged people in…
…are doing good work to support the community. If someone with a particular skill or expertise is needed, don’t be afraid to seek recommendations and referrals. Practice self-care. Regular adherence…
…expectations or reprisals of people. They are compelled forward by truth, not motivated by the accolades of committees. Leaders do the right thing rather than the expected thing.” Doing the…
…genuine community, each person has a say in decisions affecting the well-being of the community. Following the practice of the earliest church in Acts, participative planning is essential. Those without…
…Ann Michel: Your book examines the Bible, generational theory, developmental theory, the major sociological research on ministry with children and youth — and it all seems to point to the…
…the faithful practice of generosity. For anyone who offers interpretation of sacred texts, the topic of money may feel like one that’s particularly close to the hearts of people’s lives….
…Mary’s weeping, Jesus wept openly, boldly in the presence of all those who followed him (John 11:35). Consider the freedom in realizing what it means for us collectively if Jesus…
…with the mission field, and even promote the personal spiritual growth of those who practice bivocational ministry. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | Spotify Watch on…
…to come rather than starting with a bunch of boring information. Instead of starting with the least compelling thing you have to offer, hook them right off the bat. It…
…focusing on topics of critical interest to church leaders Support The Lewis Center Your gift promotes the effective, faithful, and fruitful practice of Christian leadership for the Lewis Center’s next…
…advancement of God’s mission. Leading Ideas articles on biblical leadership are among the most searched and read material in our extensive archives. 5 Ways to Engage People the Way Jesus…
…who support them. Overwhelmed by these competing needs, many supervisors choose to wait things out until the employee keeping things stuck chooses to leave on their own — effectively postponing…
…was “completely wrong.” He also committed to attending the event the next four years. Another conference component that caused considerable criticism from participants was the addition of a “male allies…
…embody the promise of life change for community impact that transforms the world. To put it another way, the Bible commands us to make disciples but does not give us…
…and churches become successful, it often becomes harder and harder to maintain success. With maturity comes a level of organizational complexity that can be a barrier to growth. And as…
…and playing roles. But the mask of the completely competent, always in control, never-bothered leader hides the real, flesh-and-blood person who, no matter how spiritually mature he or she may…
Traditionally, the Ash Wednesday service in my church has been in the evening. People come for confession and repentance, carry the sign of the cross on their heads for 30…
Margaret Marcuson says that criticism and complaints are an issue in almost every area of ministry. She outlines ten strategies for handling complaints and criticism in ways that can sustain…
…This is the good news, and we are commissioned and compelled to tell it by any means necessary. The church is the great linguist, the great translator. It is our…
…Service.” A mission statement, an expression of common practices, or a logo can communicate priorities, reinforce identity, and provide focus. Mission statements give direction to staff and volunteers about what…
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.
