-
MySpace, Facebook for churches
You know Central Christian Church in Las Vegas. Remember Senior Pastor Jud Wilhite's 2007 book "Stripped" that rocked some folks in the church world with its real-life stories of grace for the …- Rebecca Barnes -
Book Review: The Carrot Principle
When you look at the landscaping around your church building, do you see the handiwork of a heart devoted to God and obeying his call to excellence? Or do you look at the weed-infested gravel, dead …- Tom Harper -
My Space, Facebook for churches
You know Central Christian Church in Las Vegas. Remember Senior Pastor Jud Wilhite's 2007 book "Stripped" that rocked some folks in the church world with its real-life stories of grace for the …- Rebecca Barnes -
Standing on the shoulders of consulting giants
I took a rare opportunity to learn from many of the giants in church growth, health and leadership, by attending the 2008 conference of the American Society for Church Growth (ASCG) this month …1 comment- Tom Harper -
Churches can show the way to giving thanks
In a couple weeks, offices across America will have few people in them as the annual Thanksgiving exodus takes place. Where I live, that coincides with hunting season. Years ago, some area school …- Ken Walker -
Welcome to our re-designed Leadership Community site!
Well, what do you think? We've completely redesigned ChurchCentral.com with you in mind. Take a tour through the site and you'll find the same solid news and information about healthy churches, but …- Rebecca Barnes -
Films about God: Using scripts for scriptural purposes
If you haven't seen the pro-faith, pro-marriage "Fireproof" yet, chances are you've heard about it. The third movie produced by Albany, Ga.'s Sherwood Baptist Church placed fourth in national box …- Ken Walker -
Reflections on 'Pulpit Freedom Sunday'
Despite various attempts to clarify the lines regarding acceptable political involvement by the Church, which Church Central wrote about recently, the waters appear to remain muddy. A recent story …- Ken Walker -
Is "The Shack" an opportunity or a heresy?
I recently wrote a story for a trade magazine about "The Shack," the runaway best-seller that was published by a company formed for the purpose of bringing the book to market. To say it succeeded is …- Ken Walker -
Obama and McCain at Saddleback prompt questions about church leadership roles
It's worth mentioning again. The discussion of faith between presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain will begin tomorrow at Saddleback Church. According to the Boston Globe, Rick Warren …- Rebecca Barnes -
Saddleback's political forum forges new trail along church and state line
On Saturday, Aug. 16, the Church takes center stage in this fall's presidential election when Saddleback Church hosts a forum, with Pastor Rick Warren interviewing presumptive presidential nominees …- Ken Walker -
Church attendance can strengthen society
Church attendance can improve one's marriage, strengthen bonds between fathers and children, lower divorce and out-of-wedlock birth rates, and enhance social stability. Those are some of the …- Ken Walker -
Defining church membership not an easy task
How many members does your church have? Over the years, I have discovered a disconnect between names on the rolls and bodies present. Like the 5,800-member church where an associate pastor confided …- Ken Walker -
Are churches keeping up with texting times?
I finally upgraded our family's cell phone plan to include unlimited texting. With one young teen and a college student on the plan, texting became a necessity. I don't think either of these young …- Rebecca Barnes -
Downsizing for evangelism
Does the Church need to downsize its evangelistic efforts? Todd Hunter thinks so. He has organized a new, non-profit organization aimed at helping pastors and lay leaders reach a generation that …- Ken Walker -
Are trendy churches a thing of the past?
A recently convened panel of church experts reached various conclusions on what churches of the future will look like. Rev. magazine's January/February issue fast-forwarded 10 years to attempt to …- Rebecca Barnes -
Be wary of judging situations by soundbites
After watching both would-be presidential candidates reject pastors' endorsements because of alleged intemperate statements, I can imagine any pastor preparing a Sunday sermon fighting butterflies …- Ken Walker -
Largest protestant denomination may be cut in half by 2030
The Southern Baptist Convention holds its annual meeting June 10-11 in Indianapolis, which may only rank high on the priority list of SBC members. Still, as the nation's largest Protestant …- Ken Walker -
What one thing would you ask God to do?
Discussions between four megachurch pastors about the most important thing the church should pray for has sparked a global collaboration that means at least 600,000 people will hear sermons on this …- Ken Walker -
Giving goes on despite gasoline-fueled inflation
When it comes to giving, evidence shows that despite soaring prices for gasoline, food and other supplies the Church still has many people who understand generosity. The Southern Baptist Convention …- Ken Walker
| Bob Russell tells the church to take a stand against culture | |
 | "Young leaders, the world and your peers will pressure you to soften your message. We need you to be loving, but we need you to be bolder." (From NACC 2012) |
| The power of consensus decision-making | |
| Aubrey Malphurs explains how group decisions can cause breakthroughs in a declining church. (From church consultant training taught by Aubrey Malphurs - www.churchconsultation.org) |
| A fired-up new vision for the church | |
| "It will not be stylish worship services. It will not be innovative programs." Jerry Taylor brings it home in this fiery climax to his message! (courtesy of NACC 2012) |
| The dynamics of church patriarchs and matriarchs | |
| In just about every church, someone other than the pastor holds the keys to change. (From church consultant training taught by Aubrey Malphurs - www.churchconsultation.org) |
| Are you letting fear derail your ministry? | |
| "How do you know when fear is motivating you?" asks Rick Warren. "You have an intense desire to run." (Courtesy of NACC 2012) |
| What is missional discipleship? | |
| We've confused evangelism with discipleship, says Alan Hirsch. "Every disciple is an agent of the king and ought to be released as such." (From NACC 2012) |
| Ignite your church with fresh thinking at Turnaround 20/20 | |
| Last year's inaugural 20/20 conference exceeded all our expectations, both in number of attendees (more than 200) and the quality of the speakers. The format is the same this year - 20 speakers, 20 minutes each, giving their best advice on how … |
| Save your sanity (and your ministry) by saying no | |
| "If you try to care about everything," says Pastor Todd Clark, "you'll soon find out you don't have the bandwidth to care about anything." (Courtesy of NACC) |
Follow us on...
