“Find the lost sheep!” we cry in our pre-rescue briefing, night-vision goggles on and machetes raised.
All in Church
Awkward Conversations are Better than Raccoons in Your Attic
The avoidance is only going to allow time for more damage.
Back from Death: A New England Church’s Story of Revitalization
Hope continued to rise as we engaged with new people in the community.
Three Dimensions of Leadership for Growing (and Dying) Churches!
Leaders who practice these three dimensions will be well positioned to act as dynamic partners with God in kingdom activity.
Church As Family
The New Testament gives us a number of different metaphors for the church, but one of the most enduring pictures is that of family.
What to Do When There Is Nothing You Can Do
May we never lose sight of those who are right before us—the ones who need someone to see their pain, cry with them, and simply be with them.
The End Is the Beginning
Even as some churches are dying, the kin-dom of God is not dying. We are not powerful enough to kill the redemptive movement of bringing humanity into fuller relationship with God.
Your Church Needs a Domestic Violence Policy
Our tendency to leave our pastoral protocol undefined produces more sorrow than biblical faithfulness.
I’m Going to Need You to Move Your Face
People just don’t understand the significant difference their facial expressions will make when trying to connect with another person.
Resource Highlight: Ministers’ Salary Survey
Our research director Carley Dodd offers insights and reflections he gained while processing this year’s data.
Grief and Hope: Advice for Speaking at Funerals
Humble suggestions after 25 years of conducting funerals while begging for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and simply trying to say what seems most appropriate.
Simple Children's Ministry: Learning How to Talk to Kids
One of the best things your church can do to minister to children is to have conversations with them..
Be Still and Know
It is so easy to get caught up in evaluating the quantifiable moments of ministry. But God isn’t about the quantifiable moments.
Canoeing or Hiking? The Face of the Future for Church Leaders
As explorers in new territory, we will need to rely on other explorers as we learn to follow well the presence of God’s spirit.
Preaching in the “After Easter”
At the core of our preaching is actually an empty tomb. An absence. Something we cannot see.
Growing Season
Summer can be a valuable opportunity for growth and new experiences, and in ministry it can also provide an opportunity for students to contribute at a higher level.
Resource Highlight: Elders’ vs. Members’ Perceptions and the Church Health Assessment
How similar are elders and members in how they perceive the health of the congregation?
PSA: People in Church Aren’t Psychic
Of all the communication-based issues a person could have in church, my favorite is the apparent assumption of psychic abilities.
Prison Isn’t Exactly a Confidence Booster
My prayer for all of us in ministry, is that we, just like John the Baptist, are only motivated by the desire to point to Jesus. That’s our job.
Talking about Faith and Mental Illness
If your church wants to talk about mental health, I’d suggest nine things you ought to know.