Baptism is a very important event in the life of any new Christian. I know that we all go to great lengths to make sure the celebration is done just right. But what about the day or week after the baptism service? What’s your follow-up plan? I’ve noticed that the week after a person’s baptism can be a trying time. … Read More
Beach Baptism Video Montage
Our annual Beach Baptism is tomorrow (Saturday, July 26) at 2:30pm at Jones Beach on Long Island. If you are in the area, stop in and join us – all the details are here. To prepare for the Baptism we recently put together a montage of previous beach baptism videos. I think its pretty inspirational. Here’s the link: For more … Read More
Where There’s Slack There’s Lack – 2 of 8
SYSTEM #2: THE EVANGELISM SYSTEM Today, we’re moving ahead in our new Wednesday blog series, “Where There’s Slack There’s Lack.” Last week, we kicked off by examining your Weekend Service System and calling out the slack. Have you spent some time working on that system since last Wednesday? What kind of changes have you made? This week, we’re going to … Read More
Are you speaking Christianese?
Chris Forbes as a great article on the danger of speaking Christianease – you can read it here. Here’s a few of the highlights: (Start Quote) Have you ever read copy in church advertisements like the lines below? “Join us this Sunday for anointed Holy Ghost preaching, dynamic praise and worship and intimate fellowship in the body” “At our church … Read More
How to Overcome the Barriers to Baptism
Did you know that there are barriers to people being baptized? It’s true and that’s the topic of this months free Church Leader Insights Podcast. I’m particularly proud of this podcast. And I can say that without one once of arrogance as….I’m not even on this month’s podcast! Instead, Roy hosts Bob Franquiz for this insightful and practical podcast. LISTEN … Read More
Lessons Learned From Rick Warren – Lesson #2
Lesson #2: Evangelism Must Always Be Our Priority When I was working at Saddleback Church with Rick Warren, I heard him say time and time again, “As long as there is one unchurched person in the Saddleback Valley, we must keep reaching out as a church.” Rick understands the importance of making evangelism a priority, or as I like to … Read More
Free Report – How to Maximize Summer
A few days ago I wrote about the Myth of the Summer Slump and argued that summer is the perfect time to reach new people and to creatively connect people to your church. I proposed that you have to learn to do one of two things: Plant in the summer or beg in the fall! The response to this post … Read More
The Myth of the Summer Slump
MYTH: Memorial Day is right around the corner. You know what that means… Low attendance. People head for the beach, the lake, or the kiddie pool in the backyard and leave you preaching to empty rows. Oh well, that’s the way the summer goes. Just hold on and count the days until fall. There’s not much you can do. REALITY: … Read More
Pentecost Sunday and a HUGE Freebie
One of the reasons I started this blog is because we needed a great place to give away free stuff. Well, yesterday Roy took this to a whole new level by giving away our #2 bestselling resource – The Evangelism Seminar! Why? Because tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday. Here’s what Roy said (and keep reading, I’ll tell you how to get … Read More
Charles Arn – Church Growth Hero (If I Dare Say ‘Church Growth’)
Last Saturday, while Kelley and I were in Los Angeles, I was able to meet one of my Church Growth Heroes – Charles (Chip) Arn of Church Growth, Inc. He and his wife Ann were gracious enough to share dinner with me and Kelley at Kate Mantinlini’s in Beverly Hills (yep, we were living it up!). Win Arn, Charles’ father, … Read More