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Pitfalls to avoid when launching a new vision statement
The accusation of a lack of vision has become as common of grounds for pastoral dismissal as irreconcilable differences is to the divorce of couples. It is the catch all excuse for boards and …
 | 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 possible...that they can't see the growth that's … |
 | Warning: This post will challenge some of your assumptions about vision in the church. Across the North American church landscape this year, many pastors will articulate a vision and compel people toward a preferred future that is weak. It's very … |
 | I was a starter on a state champion high school basketball team. That sentence likely prompts one of two reactions. If you don't know me well, you could assume that I was bragging—that my massive ego recalls an accomplishment now nearly four … |
| Mined from the fragments of an ancient Greek poem, Jim Collins has famously used the image of "the hedgehog concept" to help millions of readers find their "sweet spot." While foxes are wise about a bunch of things, hedgehogs travel in a little … |
 | The weeks between Easter and Pentecost are more of a time for church leaders to celebrate than fast. But I'm thinking about fasting as a spiritual practice. While fasting from food has its place, I think a fast from complaining is worth a try. I'm … |
 | 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 … |
 | In regard to a person's life, what is it that defines greatness? Obviously when talking definitions, we could go right to Mr. Webster and ask but true greatness in a person cannot be found in a by-the-book, letter-by-letter explanation. What is it … |
| I wrote an article after my mother died about what I'd learned from her that had benefited me in my ministry. My father turned 90 on Sunday, and I decided I'd like to think about this before he dies (though he's seems to be going strong). To engage … |
| The MOST Important Chapter: Chapter One – UNORIGINAL SIN The BEST 12-pages from the Visual Summary : The VISION FRAME The NEXT tool we are creating: The Unique 19 – "The Top Church List for the Rest of Us." Who made the list for 2013 … |
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Changes in American Megachurches
Megachurches – Protestant congregations that draw 2,000 or more adults and children in a typical weekend (attendance not membership) – show considerable consistency over the past eight …Type: ResearchSponsored by: Leadership Network -
Living on the Resurrection Side of Life: “Resurrection Power”
For over forty years now, I have been trying to preach that sermon and sing that song. Today I would like to try once more. I take for a text the words of Paul who said, "I want to know Christ, and …Type: White PaperSponsored by: Faith Breaks -
Leadership Development: An Age-Old Challenge with a Modern-Day Twist
Many of today's church leaders face the same problem: leadership development. Most struggle to find better ways to empower and release their people for ministry, and now with the emergence of the …Type: White PaperSponsored by: Leadership Network -
Fundamentals of Family: “Conflict Resolution”
Wherever two or more people gather in the close quarters of family, church, work, or community, conflict is bound to happen. The Bible affirms that from cover to cover. Jacob did not get along with …Type: White PaperSponsored by: Faith Breaks -
Leading Outside the Walls: How Externally Focused Churches Engage and Grow Ministry Leaders
Leadership Network recently surveyed 32 divisional leaders of influential externally focused ministries around the country and found that they have implemented leadership structures in a variety of …Type: White PaperSponsored by: Leadership Network
| 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) |
| 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) |
| Don't compare your church to others | |
| When Todd Clark planted a church, he didn't know Francis Chan was in the same town. (Courtesy of NACC) |
| Does your future look impossible? God specializes in that | |
| In the Bible, God often delivered his leaders at the last possible moment from impossible situations, says Bob Russell (at NACC 2012.) |
| Rick Warren asks: Is your church a mushroom or an oak tree? | |
| Rick Warren at NACC 2012: "When God wants to make a mushroom, he takes 6 hours. When he wants to make an oak tree, he takes 60 years." |
| Why we lose heart in ministry - and how to get it back | |
| "The tide will go out many times in your life, but it always comes back in. Hang on." (Rick Warren at NACC 2012 in Orlando, Fl.) |
| Are you a leader in need of some refreshing grace? | |
| Pastor Rick Rusaw needed to get away to a friend's ranch and hear some hard truth. "You are terrible at getting grace for yourself," his friend said. (From NACC 20120) |
| Rick Rusaw's amazing path to the pastorate | |
| In less than 5 minutes, Rick Rusaw, senior pastor of LifeBridge Christian Church, summarizes his life story leading up to his salvation and calling. An encouragement for leaders engulfed by not-so-good memories of their own upbringing! |