Buildings, attendance, history, social programs, benevolence programs, outreach efforts, mission events, youth or children's ministries, and membership involvement opportunities. These are many of the suggestions I read about from church growth experts on a regular basis. Admittedly, each one of these has merit. Yet, even if a church is doing all these things, they could be like … Continue reading Great Churches
church growth
Disciples Reproducing Disciples
Being a disciple is not the end goal of discipleship. Discipleship has a goal of its own: making more disciples. The Good News is not ours to keep or hoard. We are not simply containers of the Gospel, but a conduit through which God's grace passes on to others. Consider 2 Timothy 2:2, "and what … Continue reading Disciples Reproducing Disciples
Church Growth the Bible Way
The last couple of posts cover church growth and congregational friendliness, today I want us to open the Book of Acts and see how the early Church grew. Let's just call this what it is: Church growth the Bible way. A quick survey of the book of Acts in the Bible and you quickly … Continue reading Church Growth the Bible Way
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
What Destroys Churches: What Do We Teach?
Friday, we began this series on What Destroys a Church. We looked at Persecution and how we can stand against it. You can read that post HERE. Another favorite tool of Satan that he uses to destroy churches is False Teaching. If he can convince us to follow his cunningly devised lies he can make … Continue reading What Destroys Churches: What Do We Teach?
What Destroys a Church?
This weekend I begin a new chapter in my life. Sunday, May 25 is my first Sunday serving the Central Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Some of you may be familiar with Central from April 27, 2011. The tornado outbreak destroyed the building but not the Church. Fire, storms, earthquakes, or floods may damage … Continue reading What Destroys a Church?
Building Up the Church – Old School
What you see on my "second desk" are back issues, or should I say "WAY BACK" issues of The Gospel Advocate. These issues are from 1954 - 1955. One of the issues mentions three baptisms in Gallipolis, Ohio. One of those nameless three is my father. Another issue seems to be a special issue on … Continue reading Building Up the Church – Old School
Contagious Churches Work Together
The last of six PowerPoints and numerous posts about Contagious Churches: PowerPoint: Building a Contagious Church lesson 6 SlideShare:
Driving Thought 