(An edited and expanded version of a post from September 2011.) A well-to-do family hired a maid to keep the house and laundry clean. All the first day the new maid wore her hat, the family thought that in the excitement of a new job and wanting to get right to work she had simply … Continue reading Take off Your Hat and Stay
attendance
I will never go again
I am through with football. I have been watching games and going to high school and college games for a long time now. I have seen hundreds if not thousands of plays, touchdowns, fumbles, and injuries. I am tired of football. It has nothing to do with whether my team(s) lost or not this weekend. … Continue reading I will never go again
A Welcoming Church Atmosphere
There is plenty of church growth material available in the form of books, online research, lectures, etc. Many of them offer great advice and strategies to bring seekers and the unchurched to your congregation. Some books focus on different programs. Some focus on what one might call gimmicks or marketing campaigns. Others break down research … Continue reading A Welcoming Church Atmosphere
Why are they leaving? What can we do?
Yesterday we looked at four reasons that people are leaving churches. Now the question remains; What can churches do? First churches must return to the basics. When the church at Ephesus became mis-focused after a few years, Jesus encourages them through the Apostle to “return to your first love.” This concept needs proclaiming from the … Continue reading Why are they leaving? What can we do?
Why People Leave Churches
The question of why members are leaving churches is weighing heavy on my mind this morning. This is a discussion I have with church leaders on a regular basis. I believe that there are four reasons why people leave churches. I also have four suggestions on how those of us in church leadership and as … Continue reading Why People Leave Churches
Missing in Action
From the back of the files comes this piece on attendance at worship assemblies. What My Absence Did It made some question the reality of religion. It made some think I was a pretender. It made many think that I regarded my spiritual welfare and that of others as a matter of small concern. It … Continue reading Missing in Action
What Does it Cost?
Ted, one of the members the Parrish Church of Christ, works and live in Birmingham during the week and worships with a congregation there. One fellow employee at his company was curious about Ted's faith and commitment. This co-worker is new to the United States coming from an Asian country. When he and Ted talked … Continue reading What Does it Cost?
Driving Thought 