We’re impressed with bigness, but I believe that small is vastly underrated.
The Momentous Maintenance Challenge
As the church growth movement waned, many aging and half-empty church buildings were left behind. Once the moniker was ‘bigger is better,’ the words’ repair, replace and refurbish’ have become driving forces inside the aging church of today. Due to lack of maintenance, the structure has been left desolate and vulnerable in too many churches. As many point out, the destruction of the church is not due to the lack of attendance but the lack of proper upkeep of the facilities birthed by the former ministry. Churches, as they fall into disrepair, are being sold to be used as offices, clothing stores, or even pubs like O’Neills in North London.
Politics and Issue Disagreements Send Some Churchgoers Looking for a New Congregation
More than 1 in 5 churchgoers left a congregation because they couldn’t agree with some of its teachings or positions on issues or politics.
How to Handle the Crazy People in Your Church
Some people have strange views about things. Perhaps they are in your church. Josh and Sam discuss what pastors can do when church members approach them with conspiracy theories, fringe theological perspectives, and extreme political views.
Made to Thrive: Tips for Building a Healthy Church Culture
Having people thrive and accomplishing your mission are a good GPS for your church. Just like how a train traveling down a track needs both rails to work well, the same is true for a healthy church culture. It needs to have a right environment that keeps people growing and happy, and pushes them to high performance. The hard part is intentionally growing that right environment.
Bethlehem Moravian church settlement in Pennsylvania named World Heritage Site
Founded in 1741 by a small band of Moravian Church immigrants, the historic district joins a list that includes the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza and the Eiffel Tower.
French Christians ask for respect after Paris Olympics 'Last Supper' controversy
Evangelicals in France have taken their concerns about the Paris Olympics Opening ceremony to the French government. Organisers were accused of mocking Christianity over a scene with drag queens and a haloed lesbian DJ that many Christians interpreted as a representation of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper.
Have a Child About to Head to College? Here Are a Few Things That Can Help
Now that it’s officially August, the “back to school” conversations have begun. For many parents, however, it is not back to school for their kids, but “away” to school. Some parents are sending kids to college—perhaps for the first time.
Turn Your Sermons into Small Group Studies
Many pastors are interested in creating their own video-based curriculum. But, they put it on the backburner because they feel the pressure of creating the next Purpose-Driven Life. Let me relieve some pressure for you – that’s not going to happen. There is both good and bad news in that statement. The bad news is that you’re probably not in line to write the second bestselling non-fiction book of all time (second only to the Bible). But, the good news is you have content. When you think about your sermon files, digital, analog, or otherwise, you are loaded with content. But, how do you repurpose your vast content into curriculum?
Avoiding Pitfalls in Small Group Dynamics
Let’s take a look at some of the more common pitfalls and how to avoid them so that your small group can be a safe place where grace reigns and authentic biblical community can grow.
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