Do Our Assumptions Still Fit?
…past, but no longer fit? Consider the following: People in our communities are religious. The only religious preference that grew in every U.S. state since 2001 was “no religion.” There…
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…past, but no longer fit? Consider the following: People in our communities are religious. The only religious preference that grew in every U.S. state since 2001 was “no religion.” There…
…Spanish (Abingdon, 2008; Wipf and Stock, 2016). His latest and more extensive book is The Story of Latino Protestants in the United States (Eerdmans, 2018). Martinez gives a perspective on…
…them. He begins with an overview of entry-to-ministry challenges, devoting subsequent chapters to exploring issues such as understanding one’s role within the congregation, change and conflict, keeping appropriate boundaries, maintaining…
…if we lived nearby. “Not far,” he replied. “But we work together every Tuesday night over at Resurrection. Have you ever been there?” “Nah,” said the server, “I don’t usually…
…matter. Related Resources 6 Trends Revealed in 2018 Clergy Age Report by Lovett H. Weems, Jr. The Crisis of Younger Clergy by Lovett H. Weems, Jr. and Ann A. Michel…
Robert Wuthnow’s book After the Baby Boomers (Princeton University Press, 2007) is about younger adults — a group he defines as persons from 18-45 years of age. Wuthnow, who is…
…let new people in. Pappas’s suggestions: Engage in high-service, low-threat activities. Events that expose the community to the church without requiring commitment are ways to build initial connections. Opening the…
…friend.” The preacher boasts a wide smile, thinking, “This is so obvious, so easy. Why don’t they just do it?” And the listeners are subconsciously thinking, “Yeah, right.” The congregation…
…including in the restrooms. 7. First-time guests (especially with children) are always interested in safety, cleanliness, and professionalism. Hospitality includes check-in procedures in the children’s areas, eager teachers in place…
…we respond in faith; we serve out of love. We found the image of breath and spirit intertwined in the Hebrew “ruach,” the Greek “pneuma,” and the Latin “spiritus.” In…
…many young adults living in its not-quite-urban/not-quite-suburban neighborhood. What authors like Brian McLaren, Stanley Grenz, and Robert Webber had to say rang true. About that same time, I began worshipping…
…poor,” whom God “had appointed to receive it.” That is precisely what Mike and the people of Ginghamsburg did. In 2004, the slogan “Christmas is not your birthday; it’s Jesus’…
…David and Ed’s book, Breaking the Missional Code: Your Church Can Become a Missionary in Your Community (Broadman & Holman), © 2006 Ed Stetzer and David Putman, used by permission….
…questions like: “What was confusing?” “What feelings came up for you?” “When did you feel included/excluded?” “Did anything we did seem clubby or unintentionally exclusionary?” Be prepared for honest answers,…
…most spiritually significant were enjoying friends (32 percent), enjoying family (24 percent), enjoying pets (23 percent), enjoying and sharing food (21 percent), prayer (19 percent), enjoying nature (18 percent), enjoying…
…people connect their present situation with God’s faithfulness and promises. In the Hebrew Bible, the simple formulation “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” evoked stories of God’s blessing, call,…
…meaning, community, and moral formation in the sports team than in church. We had failed to communicate the life-or-death stakes of the gospel in a way that David could understand.…
…Otherwise young people will never connect faith and money, or money with worship. “Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.” (Proverbs 22:6) A children’s…
…In business, government, the military forces, and, most relevantly, religious communities, leaders have intentionally or unintentionally misled people who relied on them. The number of religious leaders who have been…
…should do it. In a few short weeks, though, I realized my vision — though great, I’m sure — did not exactly fit the mission field. As a 27-year-old, I…
…Use of Email in Church by William G. Davidson Developing Your Own “Undo Send” Button by Lovett H. Weems, Jr. Celebrate to Build Your Church’s God-Esteem by Molly Phinney Baskette…
Donald L. Laurie, in his book The Real Work of Leaders (Perseus, 2000), focuses on what he calls “The Seven Essential Acts of Leadership.” Leaders have a responsibility to communicate…
…at work, among them. Celebrate every win, no matter how small. For example: “Breaking news: we sent 50 jars of peanut butter to the food pantry this week, and there…
…says, new every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. (“An Order for Morning Praise and Prayer,”…
…commands: “Feed my lambs.” “Take care of my sheep.” “Feed my sheep.” Ministers know this passage, and yet most feel lucky to see even half their flock at church. Too…
…versa. Your calendar, planner, or other tools should be complete and not compartmentalized. Learn to say “no” when needed. Adding on more does not work for long. Sometimes we need…
…like, “No, this is just not the right time for me.”After that, I was never asked again.” For us, this is like the sign saying, “Do Not Enter.” Leaders, people…
…them. While they still feel the desire to “work for God,” it becomes an obligation rather than a privilege. They start to grumble, but not too loudly, about all the…
…U.S.” Drucker explained: “No one even comes close to it in respect to clarity of mission, ability to innovate, measurable results, dedication, and putting money to maximum use.” Mission The…
…vineyard, pay attention, and care.” “Of course you do,” she said softly. “That’s what it means to be a vinedresser.” The Vinedresser’s Notebook is available from Cokesbury and Amazon. Related…
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.