Leading change is one of the most difficult and important tasks of leadership. Yet it is something God calls each of his leaders to do. God came to Moses and told him they he and Israel had been going around the same mountain long enough and that it was time to "break camp and advance" … Continue reading Managing Transitions
The Economic Downturn’s Affect on Churches
Everyone is aware of and affected in some way by the recent economic downturn. Many analysts believe things have 'bottomed out' and we're on the way up, but only time will tell. Churches aren't immune from the stress and strain that emerges in times of pressure such as this. Tough times affect giving. In a … Continue reading The Economic Downturn’s Affect on Churches
Women in Ministry
I believe that every church should be committed to releasing every person into ministry. Every Christ-follower is 'saved' (not just to go to heaven!) AND 'called' (to a special purpose here on earth - see 2 Timothy 1:9). All ministry should be based on 'godliness and giftedness, not gender'. Unfortunately, many churches restrict or limit … Continue reading Women in Ministry
Women and the Church
After sixty years of involvement in the Southern Baptist Church, former American President Jimmy Carter has left. Over what? Over his disagreement with their stance over the ordination of women. Read the article here. The SBC articles forbid the appointment of a woman as a pastor, as they see this as a male-only role. The role … Continue reading Women and the Church
The Rabbit and the Elephant: Why Small is the New Big for Today’s Church
Imagine you take two elephants. For our purposes, they are a male and a female. You put them in your garage (hopefully, it's big enough!). You give them plenty to eat and drink and you shut the door on them. Three years later, you come back and open the door. What comes out? Three elephants, that's … Continue reading The Rabbit and the Elephant: Why Small is the New Big for Today’s Church
Growing Churches
Every year, Outreach Magazine publishes a list of the 100 largest churches in America along with the 100 fastest growing churches. The 2008 research about the top 100 largest churches can be seen here or purchased here. The list of fastest growing churches can be viewed here. Missiologist Ed Stetzer makes some insightful observations about this … Continue reading Growing Churches
Leadership Network Survey Results
Leadership Network is an excellent ministry established by Bob Buford. It's mission is to: identify, connect and help high-capacity Christian leaders multiply their impact. They provide a wealth of resources for churches and leaders through their web site, publications, blogs and e-newsletters. Recently Leadership Network conducted an extensive survey seeking to gain insights into the ministry roles of Senior Pastors … Continue reading Leadership Network Survey Results
‘How the Mighty Fall’ by Jim Collins (Book Review)
Jim Collins is the best-selling author of Built to Last and Good to Great. Collins is a student of companies and organisations - great ones, good ones, weak ones, and failed ones. His latest book (which I picked up recently in an airport bookshop in the USA), based on extensive research, is How the Mighty … Continue reading ‘How the Mighty Fall’ by Jim Collins (Book Review)
Unique Church Buildings
We know that the church that Jesus is building is not a physical building or a work of human architecture. Church buildings are really just 'sheep sheds' where God's people hang out from time to time. They can be anything from a home to a pub to a cathedral. The real church is people - God's … Continue reading Unique Church Buildings
re-Imagining Church (Pt.5)
The church that Jesus is building is a community of Christ-followers empowered by the Spirit to ... 4. Participate in God's Mission in the World. God was not comfortable to continue for eternity with the amazing loving community he has always experienced. He decided to spread this community by creating human beings. When human relationships … Continue reading re-Imagining Church (Pt.5)
re-Imagining Church (Pt.4)
The church that Jesus is building is a community of Christ-followers ... 3. Empowered by the Spirit. One of the most important keys to Jesus’ life and ministry was the fact that his entire ministry by being empowered by the Spirit (Mark 1:10; Luke 4:1, 14, 18-21). This infilling of the Spirit is to extend … Continue reading re-Imagining Church (Pt.4)
re-Imagining Church (Pt.3)
The church that Jesus is building is ... a community of 2. Of Christ-Followers. When Jesus called his first disciples, it was not just about community. He was calling them to leave what they were doing and to follow him, and eventually to become like him. His goal was to change them from the inside … Continue reading re-Imagining Church (Pt.3)
re-Imagining Church (Pt.2)
The church that Jesus is building is ... 1. A Community God, in his very nature, is a community of three persons united as one, existing in loving relationship. When God created human beings he created them to also do life in community. When Jesus came to earth he lived out this value of community … Continue reading re-Imagining Church (Pt.2)
re-Imagining Church (Pt.1)
Over 2000 years ago, Jesus boldly declared that he would build his ‘church’ (Matthew 16:17-19). The church was his idea and there is nothing else that he said he would build. It is his master project and all of his energies are focused on completing it. It is part of his eternal purposes (Ephesians 3:10-11). … Continue reading re-Imagining Church (Pt.1)
A Leader’s Survey
One of the challenges a pastor faces, especially of a large church, is the inability to know and relate with every person who is part of the church. One way to get a bit of pulse on how your leaders or congregation are going, in addition to spontaneous impromptu conversations from time to time, is through … Continue reading A Leader’s Survey