Chances are you didn’t get into leadership to see your church stop accomplishing its mission. One of the primary missions of the local church is to reach new people with Christ’s love, which naturally implies growth. But almost every church (and almost every organization) faces seasons in which growth stops. Some haven’t seen growth in years … or decades.
Is Our Church Planting Apostolic or Colonialism?
Have you ever wondered why the overwhelming majority of church planting in the North American context is a plant-and-pastor model? Why is a Pauline apostolic approach so radical and foreign to our imaginations?
10 Ways to Turn Off Your Donors
Stewardship expert Ken Sloane says the relationship between a church, or any charitable organization, and its donors is delicate. He names ten common mistakes churches make that can alienate their donors.
Which New Testament Commands Should Christians Obey?
Surely the answer is, ‘All of them!’ Yet it isn’t quite as simple as that. Clearly, many New Testament commands are directed at individuals and their particular circumstances. When Jesus tells the rich young ruler that to be his disciple, he must first sell his possessions and give to the poor, we know that the Lord was addressing a personal stumbling block to faith, not giving a general command. We always need to examine Scripture in its setting.
Also See: Which Old Testament laws should Christians obey?10 Keys to Intergenerational Leadership
Intergenerational leaders are fostering communities of hope and creativity by prioritizing relationships, embracing diverse gifts, and encouraging discipleship across all ages. Valerie Grissom identifies 10 keys to intergenerational leadership including facilitating faith rhythms, embracing curiosity, valuing diversity, and empowering all generations to lead. Leaders must resist reverting to old norms, focusing instead on life-giving, inclusive practices.
Also See: ‘Leading Up’: No One Said It Would Be EasyPastoring People Through Slow Change
Pastoring people is a slow, long-haul process. As church planters and pastors in established churches, we are called to lead people who are under construction. Unfortunately, until Christ returns, we don’t get to experience heaven here on earth. All people, pastors included, deal with the effects of indwelling sin on a daily basis. This means, as pastors, we are called to drop into the mess of disordered lives and serve people who may be at their worst moments.
5 Worship Challenges We Face All the Time
Christian worship is in trouble. Books, journals, conferences, events, and Internet resources are promoting innovative ways to ensure exemplary corporate worship. But pick a church, attend Lord’s Day worship, and more than likely you will discover that authentic Christian worship is in real trouble. We all face worship challenges.
Lectio Divina (Devotional Reading)
When was the last time you read the Word of God to drink deeply of his presence rather than prepare a sermon or a Bible study? Lectio Divina is one way you can read Scripture to abide in God’s presence and to experience His living Word for you today.
“Digital Ministry Trends and Perspectives” featuring Jim Keat
How can your congregation more effectively engage people in the digital sphere? Jim Keat, Digital Minister at Riverside Church in New York City, shares tips and strategies that can help any church approach digital ministry with more intentionality and focus.
Voters in three states reject school vouchers
Voters in Colorado, Kentucky and Nebraska rejected taxpayer-supported voucher programs for private schools. The 2024 “no” votes may represent the most significant speed bump for “school freedom” since the movement launched in 1990. Red-state legislators support vouchers, which remain unpopular with rural voters who see public schools as an important part of their communities, says voucher expert Josh Cowen. “Vouchers have never survived a direct vote by voters,” says Cowen, professor of education policy at Michigan State University and author of the recently released The Privateers: How Billionaires Created a Culture War and Sold School Vouchers.
In the Commonwealth of Kentucky passage of the constitutional amendment permitting vouchers would have benefited only one segment of the population.
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