“I’m sure you know how the critics think: To those of us who advocate healthy, growing churches, it’s all about the numbers, right? Well, the critics are right to an extent: we do care about numbers. Why? Because every number represents a life. In a properly facilitated assimilation system, the number of new members you have is a reflection of … Read More
2 Things That are Better Than a Multivitamin (Thursdays are for Health)
“Many people think that if they take a multivitamin, they don’t need to eat their fruits and vegetables. While vitamins are an important part of a healthy lifestyle, no vitamin can duplicate the unique nutrient composition found in whole fruits and vegetables that work in the body to minimize inflammation, destroy harmful cells and bolster health. Focus your energy on nutrient-rich foods, … Read More
Fusion Fridays: The Role of Assimilation
“Encouraging people to stick around our churches is not about making our auditoriums look full and our numbers impressive; it’s about leading them to faith in Jesus, through the Spirit’s prompting. Putting a strong, strategic assimilation system in place is the best way to ensure that our newcomers will stay with us long enough to respond to Christ’s pull.” … Read More
Fusion Fridays: Why Assimilate?
“Assimilation leads to life transformation by giving people the means and opportunity to become maturing followers of Christ. In broad terms, assimilation can be defined as the process used to encourage your first-time guests to continue coming back until they see and understand God’s power, accept Jesus as Savior, and commit themselves to the local church through leadership.” … Read More
Fusion Fridays: Assimilation for Kingdom Impact
“As God brings first-time guests through our front doors, our prayerfully planned reciprocation can result in changed lives for the kingdom. God has set up the perfect win-win scenario. He is bringing us the new faces. Our responsibility is to show our gratitude and commitment by doing our part to turn those new faces into fully developing members.” … Read More
Just Released: Whisper by Mark Batterson
I’m excited to announce the release of Mark Batterson’s new book, Whisper. This New York Times Best-Selling author will also be joining me as a keynote speaker at our upcoming Renegade Pastors leadership conference in February 2018. Click here to learn more: www.RPConference.com The voice that spoke the cosmos into existence is the same voice that parted the Red sea, and … Read More
Fusion Fridays: Responding to Gifts from God
“How you respond when you’ve been given a gift – and what you do with the gift itself – proves just how much you really appreciate it. So, have you been given any gifts lately? Let me ask the question another way: Did you have any first-time guests at your church last week? God gives you and me the gifts … Read More
My Top 10 Recommended Martin Luther Books to Celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation (Part 2)
On Monday I shared the first 5 of my favorite books on, by or about Martin Luther and the Reformation that began on Oct 31, 1517. Here are the remaining 5 (note: in no particular order): – Martin Luther: Renegade and Prophet by Lyndal Roper – The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther – … Read More
My Top 10 Recommended Martin Luther Books to Celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation (Part 1)
Here’s my favorite books on, by or about Martin Luther and the Reformation that began on October 31, 1517 (note: in no particular order): – Here I Stand by Roland Bainton – Table Talk by Martin Luther – The Heroic Boldness of Martin Luther by Steven Lawson – Theology of the Reformers … Read More
Keys to Worship Planning: Creative Meetings
“The best creative planning meetings happen when those in attendance know the series topic in advance and arrive with some ideas already formulated. When everyone comes prepared, the synergy in the room pushes the best ideas to the top and then makes them even better.” – Nelson Searcy and Jason Hatley The above … Read More