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…Heifetz and John Kotter have applied to other organizations. Conghttps://www.churchleadership.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=2849&action=editregations do not like change and will try to avoid it. Congregations prefer easy answers to facing the anxiety of real…
…comments like these: “I have never been more physically or spiritually drained than I felt coming out of that meeting.” “I want off the staff-parish committee because I never want…
…up” or “It’s time to go deeper,” it communicates we have all the answers, and we think people aren’t OK where they’re starting. They already know they’re not as good…
…a finance committee meeting, what is my role in this meeting? I’m not on the finance committee, I’m not the chair. My role in this story is to be the…
…around why they give to the church, to tell their own story in a compelling way. The best stewardship testimonies can make the sermon that Sunday seem almost unnecessary. When…
…that using Twitter to expand their prayer ministries allows them to connect better with individual needs and community-wide concerns. They outline a four-step process for identifying community prayer concerns through…
…ask them to sit on a committee, or to wait in the wings for a chance to be part of the community. When people came down for prayer after the…
Amy Yarnall writes about the launch of a new satellite worship service by two churches on a two-point charge. Last spring, a new worshipping community was born in Cecil County,…
…beyond the limitations of one service in one building, connecting multiple congregations that share a common vision, budget, leadership, and board. These authors explore several models, including satellite campuses that…
I confess to a complicated relationship with wealth. When I was in college, I thought of money as the “root of all evil.” I even asked the older brother of…
…of every sermon. If you want to emulate him, you have bigger problems. Every once in a while you may come across a good joke to tell but use those…
…closure that grew to a position of prominence among theological schools. The book recalls how Wesley Seminary, under Lewis’s leadership, pulled through the crisis by building a community of dedicated…
…mission. Communication is one of a leader’s most important responsibilities and most powerful tools. Even though effective communication is known to be vital, it is frequently overlooked or poorly executed….
…in a comprehensive manner,” says Lewis Center Director F. Douglas Powe, Jr. “The Religious Workforce Project will provide us a better picture of the nature, makeup, and roles of this…
…future. Preach trust, faith, and the importance of caring for people and community. As you begin to learn about the community and its concerns, you can preach to their felt…
…churches come online and all churches keep innovating. Digital connections have proven meaningful for many. Sometimes the digital connections have been as or more meaningful than the in-person connections. I…
…new area of ministry. If the church is in disunity, it must come together first. When the church loves the traditions of men more than the commands of God, it…
…each service. You may not realize that the children’s check-in computers ran slowly last week or that the parking team needs new umbrellas. Talk with your volunteer leaders and ask…
Eric Geiger says a church leadership team’s effectiveness is hampered when members act as consultants, critics, or senators. Each of these postures distances members from owning problems and committing to…
…And yet, complaints about unproductive meetings are common. Someone needs to be clear about the purpose, shape the agenda beforehand, and keep the discussion from veering far off track. What…
…Inc., the Religious Workforce Project will study congregations to provide the most in-depth understanding of how congregations carry out their missions. The project will also compile the most comprehensive database…
…not make the invitation to join him in communion ambiguous or clouded with uncertainty. When he calls us, it is always with the clear purpose of joining him at the…
…and strategizing about this change for some time. A common mistake even professional communicators often make is to discount the amount and frequency of communication needed to convince others of…
Carey Nieuwhof explains that ineffective leaders tend to lay the blame on seven common excuses. Successful leaders are aware of these traps and lead people beyond them. Nobody sets out…
…insensitive behavior disappeared years ago. The church guests told us otherwise. In fact, the most common comment was, “You are sitting in my pew.” Unbelievable. Totally unbelievable. 10. Dirty facilities…
…permission. MyCom provides church leaders with share-worthy tips and videos on communications, social media and new technology. Subscribe at umcom.org/MycomSubscribe. Related Resources The Theology of Social Media by Thomas G….
…the Gospel on Beliefnet.com. You may follow him on Twitter at @GospelHear. Related Resources Increasing Active Engagement Video Tool Kit Leadership for Worship by Lovett H. Weems, Jr. Four Functions…
…leadership and the leadership of others? This article originally appeared as a post on mikebonem.com. Used by permission. Related Resources Starting the Year Poised for Growth by Wade Griffith 4…
…permission. Charley Reeb also blogs at charleyreeb.com, a website with articles and videos about preaching. He is the author of two books: That’ll Preach! 5 Simple Steps to Your Best…
…ground. The first church I ever served called and asked me to come back and preach one Sunday. It was as rural a church as you have ever seen. 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.
