Many people get upset when new, young families come in with kids, start worshipping at the church, but don’t always know how to act–at least in the eyes of the old guard (seasoned Christians). Instead of focusing on the thrilling reality that the church is actually reaching these people, people get hung up that […]

There seems to be a lot of noise in church these days. I am not writing about high sound levels in worship or the din of endless chit chat. When I say there is noise in church today, I am writing about the acrostic N.O.I.S.E. which stands for No Other Interests Shall […]

I was recently in the Pittsburgh area working at a church. Once again, I’m faced with a church that has a dilemma: it has been plateaued in worship attendance for ten years. There’s nothing overtly bad about this church that anybody can put their finger on. They have gained some members, but about equal to […]

I was at a church in California, preaching and speaking at a Rally on a Sunday evening. This church has great worship! One of the elements of worship that really caught my attention was that each week in the church, they “pray through the previous week’s headlines.” They read a headline and a few key […]

Churches often think their name is “too sacred” to change.
I worked with an independent church for years and watched them grow and change their name THREE times in the last 10 years. And, I first met them just after they changed their name from Grace Baptist to Grace Bible Church. Then, during […]

It seems like I see this all the time. Today I’m at a church in the northwestern metropolitan Detroit area and I see this again: active members are defined by those who have worshiped once in the past year. Inactive members are those who are not in the army or college and have not worshipped […]

I have the opportunity to visit many churches of differing denominations and size. I am also blessed to coach one-on-one several pastors. Over this past week, something in common really was clear. Churches and pastors are dealing with one of two very common issues; either they have a front door where no-one is entering, or […]

How is the ministry at your church among teenagers? Student ministry is frequently a challenge in congregations. All too often, adults feel like they have to dream up activities to “entertain” the youth in a “Christian environment.” Increasingly, I see a good trend among high school students. They are open to […]

God literally has all resources available to Him, so if He has not released as many as you think you need, you must examine the reason why. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere, which God apportions to us as a measure, to reach even as far […]

There seems to be a great deal of discussion these days regarding church government. Small committees, large committees, lots of committees, no committees; the dialog goes on and on.
Can a church function in a “no committee” environment? If the lead pastor makes critical church decisions, is the church headed for chaotic closure? Is a church […]