A sustained decline in worship attendance is afflicting most American congregations. Drawing on findings from the Lewis Center’s Religious Workforce Project, Lovett H. Weems Jr. outlines ways congregations can respond to declining attendance and how the trend impacts the deployment of clergy and other congregational leaders.
The Chemistry of Church Growth
When churches plateau, you can usually find an inhibitor or two that stands in the way of growth. The only way to get those churches moving again is to introduce a catalyst. When I look at most plateauing churches, I see four inhibitors that are impacting their future growth. But I also have good news. Each has a catalyst that can help you overcome them. Here are those four inhibitors I see most often.
Close Generation Gaps, Deepen Relationships
How can congregations close generation gaps by building intergenerational relationships and ministries? Laura Buchanan offers several ways congregations can create opportunities for people from different generations to build relationships, serve together, and mentor one another.
Excessive Heat Poses Hazards for Churches
Heat waves can be deadly for older adults: An aging global population and rising temperatures mean millions are at risk.
As a service to the community and as a form of outreach, churches may wish to operate as a cooling center in the hotter months, particular during times of extreme heat. They can also purchase and distribute electric fans, help to pay utility bills, and compile and disseminate information on how to avoid heat stroke and to beat the heat.A Better Conversation
Like it or not, the 2024 presidential election is on the way, and many pastors and church members are already feeling a sense of dread. Since the 2016 presidential election, a survey found that nearly a third of people have stopped talking to a friend or family member due to political disagreements. There are reasons to think that the 2024 election will be even worse.
Strength in Leadership: How Gentleness Changes Everything
Resisting Physician-Assisted Death Is a Gospel Imperative
We’re too weak, too frail, too vulnerable to circumstances for our self-regard to be a firm foundation for our value and significance. And this is a burden we need not bear, for God tells us how valuable we are over and over (Ps. 139; Isa. 43:4; Matt. 6:26; 10:29–31; John 3:16). Yet the tragedy of the human condition is that we’re prone to forget how much we matter.
The Weighted Vest of Pastoral Ministry
They tell you if you have trouble sleeping to count sheep. Pastors can’t sleep because they are counting the sheep.
The Overlooked Leadership Skill of Expressing Emotion
How can you, as a leader, express what you’re really feeling in a healthy way? Here are a few ideas.
What I’ve Learned About the Power of Music
Music is the number one positioning factor in your church. No music reaches everyone, but every style of music will reach someone. The kind of music you use will greatly impact who you reach. Music is a powerful tool for evangelism.
In surveying unchurched people who had bgun to attend a church Thom Rainer found that it was not the style of music used in the church's services of public worship that was a factor in their decision to attend a particular church but the quality of the music. The attention which the church gave to the quality of the music it used in worship formed the basis on which the people he surveyed concluded that the church took seriously the worship of God and was one of the main reasons they gave for attending that particular church. This is not to say that its music style is not a reason why people may decide to attend a particular church but rather the quality of the music plays an important part in their decision.An Epic Formula For Making A Band Sound Great
No matter our sound – whether we have a hard rock, a soft rock, a gospel or a liturgical type of sound – we have to start with some basic principles when we’re thinking about arranging a large band. Using these 5 ingredients, you’ll have an epic formula for making your band sound great.
7 Ways to Support Your Group When They’re at Camp
There are some key ways pastors can undergird their kids or student group camp experience and be seen as enthusiastic supporters.
Impressive ‘Xp.’ YouTube Series Seeks to Reach Unchurched Youth
This Australian video course is of a world-class standard and fills a niche few evangelistic resources currently serve.
4 Reasons Why Every Pastor Should Lead a Small Group
I’ve been in full-time ministry for 35 years. During that time I’ve served in a number of different roles such as a missionary, senior pastor, associate pastor and missions pastor. No matter what role I have been in, I am almost always leading a small group—sometimes more than one group. There are four reasons why every pastor should lead a small group....
The Fallacy of One-Size-Fits-All Discipleship
You can mass produce many things—cars, furniture, plastic bottles, etc.—but you can’t mass produce disciples. One-size-fits-all simply doesn’t work when you’re trying to help people become more like Jesus. God wired each of us with a unique SHAPE. The Bible says, “You shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13 MSG). Our creator specially designed each and every one of us. The unique ways God made us affect everything about us—including how we fulfill God’s purposes.
How to Turn Misery Into Ministry
Your suffering might be the best opportunity you have to point others to Jesus. When you go through suffering with hope and joy, people will be curious, and they will ask you about it. You should be ready in that moment to give a defense of what you believe.
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