Friday's Catch: "Networking for Church Revitalization"

Networking for Church Revitalization

Turning around a declining church is not easy. Most won’t make the change. And, that should not surprise us. Sick people and sick institutions don’t naturally change by themselves. They need others to help. Read More

17 Key Traits of Highly Effective Churches

Here are 17 things that I have found functioning in churches that are growing. Each nugget is exactly a 140-character tweet. It’s good to say what needs to be said in as few words as possible. Read More

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

That simple statement from 1 Timothy 1:15 has always been one of my favourite Bible verses, for a number of reasons. Pre-eminently, though, it is because it conveys the heart of the gospel. It always reminds me of the picture the Lord Jesus himself gave of the shepherd who seeks the lost sheep until he finds it, lays it on his shoulders and brings it home safely. Whatever else you may think about the Lord coming into the world, saving sinners was his chief aim and his death on the cross was the chief means. Read More

8 Concerns That Church Members Seldom Tell Pastors

If you read this blog regularly, you know my love and respect for pastors (I am one). I write this post not to offend pastors, but to help us be aware of some perceptions and realities. In my church consulting work, we often hear concerns that church members readily express to their leaders (e.g., they don’t like the music; they don’t like the way money is spent, etc.). We also hear, though, concerns that members tell us but often choose not to express to their pastors. Here are some of those unexpressed concerns we’ve heard.... Read More

Secularism in the Church

Secularism has always been hard to define. Though often pronounced with algebraic lucidity, its topsy-turvy logic is often as unintelligible as the dog-Latin of monkish hexameters. In practice, it is an odd attempt to forge a cultural consensus on the fact that there really can be no cultural consensus. It is the unspoken assumption that a happy and harmonious society can be maintained only so long as the only common belief is that there are no substantial common beliefs. It is the reluctant affirmation that the only moral absolute is that there must not be any moral absolutes. It is the brash affirmation that meaning and purpose in life may best be found in meaninglessness and purposelessness. Read More