What if you could hear from those who recently received Christ and connected with a church — and ask them what influenced those decisions? What if you knew what MOST attracted people to your church and what evangelism methods you should focus on to have the biggest impact? And what if you could also focus your staff and your congregation on the things THEY can … Read More
The Value of Application in Preaching
The following guest post comes to us from Rick Warren, founding pastor of Saddleback Church. Rick is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life. He is also the founder of Pastors.com, a global internet community for pastors. Many preachers believe the purpose of preaching is to explain the Bible, or to interpret the text, or to help … Read More
A Saturday Quote – Planning
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I’ll spend the first four sharpening the axe.” – Abraham Lincoln
8 Reasons Many Churches Are Living in the 1980s
Today’s guest post comes to us from my good friend Thom Rainer. Dr. Rainer is the CEO and President of LifeWay Christian Resources and will be one of our featured speakers at the 2016 Renegade Pastors Conference (see the PS below for more details on how to be a Renegade and join me and Dr. Rainer at the conference). Nine … Read More
Christmas Sale! Resource packages up to 80% off!
Christmas is THIS Friday and I want to be a blessing to you and your church. I know you’re planning your worship services but I wanted to take a moment and give you a Christmas package. Well, actually SIX Christmas packages. I’ve collected the very best of my resources and carefully put together these six unique resource packages – at … Read More
How Pastoral Care Can Stunt Church Growth
Today’s post comes to us from Carey Nieuwhof, founding pastor of Connexus Church and author of several best-selling books, including his latest #1 best-selling work, Lasting Impact: 7 Powerful Conversations That Will Help Your Church Grow. Carey also hosts the top-rated Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast where he interviews some of today’s best leaders. Of all the mysteries that shouldn’t be mysteries, … Read More
Starts Today: FREE Year-End Webinar – Spots still available!
I still have space available for my ALL NEW “Year-End Webinar: My Big Lessons and Even Bigger Mistakes from 2015” – FREE for the first time – and the first one is TODAY! So many pastors have already signed up that I’ve added additional convenient times for you to choose from. But don’t delay – space is limited and this … Read More
FREE Year-End Webinar – Big Lessons & Even Bigger Mistakes!
I look forward to this time of year, not just because it’s the holiday season, but because it’s the perfect opportunity for some serious reflection and evaluation. While wrapping up 2015 – when the experiences are still fresh in our minds – we can take just a few minutes to think about how we can make 2016 the best year ever! … Read More
Weekly Sabbath Increases Productivity (from Harvard Business Review)
The following guest blog comes to us from my good friend Dr. Bob Whitesel. Bob serves as Professor of Christian Ministry and Missional Leadership for Wesley Seminary and holds two doctorates from Fuller Theological Seminary. He currently serves as president of the Great Commission Research Network as well as a board member for The Society of Church Consulting. Commentary by Dr. Whitesel: … Read More
Reformation Day – A Saturday Quote
“Christians should be taught that he who sees someone needy but looks past him, and buys an indulgence instead, receives not the pope’s remission but God’s wrath.” –Martin Luther It may say Halloween on the calendar, but today we celebrate the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, marked by Martin Luther’s famous nailing of his 95 Theses to the door of … Read More