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5 instant cures for a “static cling” church
The number one complaint I hear from churches is, "We seem to have plateaued." Are these churches really standing still or is their perception of where they are a little skewed? It's possible...just …
 | What was once a downtown church building is now a unique restaurant. Tables and booths now occupy the space where pews sat. The area that held the choir loft has been refurbished into a bar. The former fellowship hall serves as the kitchen where the … |
| Is it me? Are we just trying to figure out ways to make people believe we're not their grandmother's church anymore? In a quick internet search of five of some of America's largest congregations, I found an amazing array of staff titles that could … |
| One of the most impressive characteristics of the First Century Church was its courage in the face of intense opposition. The apostles weren't just ridiculed for their faith; opponents threatened them with arrest, imprisonment and even … |
 | I remember the first time I heard of IDEO - a famous firm that seemingly few have heard about – a company that helps others innovate. It was at a company meeting with Fellowship Technologies where CEO Jeff Hook was inspiring us to help … |
| "Up through the ground came a bubblin' crude..." Baby-boomer church, Seeker-driven church, Seeker-sensitive church, Purpose-driven church, Worship-evangelism church, Church of small groups, Cell church, Gen X church, Postmodern church, Missional … |
| "Tradition: what has come before. Rationality: exercise of logical thought. Revelation: a perspective outside of the box." I recently posted an Instagram photo of a piece of art that said "color outside the lines". My comment was simply "what lines … |
 | Name five people from your high school—who graduated the year after you. Now name five students who graduated with you. Chances are, you were much closer to the people in your own grade, even though you may have spent three years in the same … |
 | On Easter Sunday, I celebrate my two year anniversary as the Campus Pastor at Forest Park Carthage (a multisite church based out of Joplin, MO). For the two years before that, I served as a full-time consultant with churches around the country. I … |
 | In recent months I have devoted my blogs in this space to the general topic of leadership. Today I am focusing specifically on church leadership. Any pastors or other church leaders who recognize these signs of stagnation in their congregation need … |
 | Words have power in the force of their meaning and in their effect in communication. When words contain prefixes and suffixes, the power of those words to communicate meaning is re-enforced. Re is one of those prefixes that have what I consider a … |
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Missional Households
How important is it to church families that they serve the community together? According to a Baylor University School of Social Work survey,it's very important and families desire the church to help …Type: ResearchSponsored by: Leadership Network -
Churches in Missional Renaissance
There is a new Spirit-breeze blowing through many churches—a missional renaissance. These churches no longer exist primarily to expand and improve their own organizations but to transform their …Type: Case StudySponsored by: Leadership Network -
Externally Focused Churches Becoming the New Norm
Community service is becoming a normal part of being a regular churchgoer whether that means participating in large scale, church wide opportunities, or independent projects with small groups members …Type: White PaperSponsored by: Leadership Network -
Fast Forwarding Your Church's Engagement in the Community
More churches are pioneering a shift toward community service. Not only are they deploying their own members; they are engaging people outside the church to work in the community. Missional Churches …Type: White PaperSponsored by: Leadership Network -
Going Outside the Church Walls
Find out how to encourage people to visit your church and the things you can do to make sure they keep coming back.Type: White PaperSource: ACS Technologies
| Miles McPherson - How your church can thrive | |
 | If you just do normal church, it will die. That's what kills churches every day. (From NACC 2011) |
| Alan Hirsch: How society is marginalizing the church | |
| "All the indicators are that the church is on the decline in the Western world," said Alan Hirsch at NACC 2012. |
| Alan Hirsch defines the missional church | |
| "God is a missionary God," said Hirsch. "'Missional' describes God as much as it does anyone." (Video courtesy of NACC) |
| Dozens of community outreach & fundraising ideas | |
| Miles McPherson (The Rock Church in San Diego) lists tons of ideas & gives a Web site with downloadable pdf how-to instructions. (Video from NACC) |
| Using God's power to change a city | |
| Put the devil on notice that he doesn't own your city! "The only thing I know that is faster than light is darkness running away." (Miles McPherson at NACC 2011) |
| Miles McPherson: Why demons want you to keep going to church | |
| "Keep going to church," say the demons. "We've got these other places covered." |
| One church's genius outreach strategy | |
| "It's so simple, it's stupid," says Miles McPherson of The Rock Church. |
| A wake-up call to evangelize | |
| Jeff Walling: "If we're so sure there's a hell, we had better start acting like it!" (Courtesy of NACC) |