These unsung heroes followed in the steps of Christ and in so doing, kept the flame of the Gospel burning. May God send us more leaders like them.
All tagged church growth
Mending Generational Divides: The Practice of Listening for Unity
We all have the capacity to make relational choices that can help mend age segregation in our churches. Specifically, I want to offer one practice for followers of Jesus that can help all of us swim upstream towards greater unity in the generational body of Christ: the practice of listening for unity.
Pray, Invite, Ask… What?
We expect all of our members to be doing these three things: pray, invite, ask. The only problem with this is that we found it to be a catchy phrase, but we needed more depth and understanding. Pray what? Invite to what? Ask what?
What I Learned from Four Books on Aging
An overlapping quartet of books made it through my reading list over the past year. The lessons in these books are applicable for individuals but also for churches, as both people and organizations go through life cycles that require adaptation to changing circumstances.
Growing Smaller
For those who still struggle with isolation and battle a never-ending sense of loneliness, I encourage you to find community, more specifically a small community. Find a community where simply showing up, checking a box, and leaving isn’t an option because your community won’t allow it since they love you too much. This is a defining characteristic of the Kingdom of God and of the church.
Reflections from the Past that Suggest a Future
When churches preach Jesus Christ, call people to discipleship, welcome all to community and shared life, practice hospitality and care for others, then churches continually find opportunities to live into a simple Christian witness.
Faithfulness Over Outcome
I will leave you with this encouragement: God is pleased with your faithfulness, not a human-perceived outcome.
Sustainability versus Fruitfulness: Which Matters More?
When it comes to churches, does sustainability or fruitfulness matter more? Is it more important for a church to have a long life? Or is it more desirable that a church be productive?
I Survived the Church Renewal Movements. Re-Missioning Is What We Need Now.
It could mean that small teams of pioneering Christians would leave their church buildings and go where non-church-goers gather. They would build relationships, meet real needs, and slowly share about Jesus.
The Church of Scotland Is Changing Fast. Can the Churches of Christ Follow Suit?
Rather than focusing their attention on improving worship, the sermon, or their meeting hall, the Church of Scotland hopes to train members to start new forms of Christian communities in their backyards, on hiking trails, or in their garages.
What Really Matters?
Churches that live in the presence of the gospel are paying attention to spiritual vitality, passing and forming the Christian faith in people, and practicing hospitality to the world.
Why Effective Outreach Feels Impossible: A Parable
Simply put, we need new ways of thinking about church and outreach. We need a new imagination for what it means to be God’s people.
Twenty Years of Congregational Change: The 2020 Faith Communities Today Overview
Summarized responses from 15,278 congregations and 80 denominations or religious groups resulted in the largest national survey of congregations ever conducted in the U.S.
Discerning a Path for Renewal
Rather than rush from one thing to another, healthy churches live with meaning and intentionality, doing what they do with excellence.
How to REALLY Grow Your Church
True growth comes not from questions of defense, but questions about how to reach a dark world with the light of Jesus.
What Is Most Important?
These reasons for growth transcend simply being at the right place at the right time.
Forget the Church Growth Model; Here’s How Evangelism Can Work
The Church Growth movement rests upon building churches of people who are alike. It leans into a principle of homogeneity.
Church Growth Is Less Predictable Than You Think
Reports of our demise are greatly exaggerated, to say the least. By contrast though, predicting success in any church venture is impossible. There simply is no surefire recipe for growth.