Take a step back for a minute and think about the friendships in your life. Do you have friends with whom you would feel comfortable developing a deeper, more meaningful, more trusting relationship? Most people don’t. Most people feel the void of these kinds of connected, growing, encouraging friendships. Most churches offer small groups—and small groups are the best way … Read More
Leaders Care for their People
“Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.” — Proverbs 27:23-24 (NLT)
Lyle Schaller on the Small Church vs. Megachurch
“The small congregation is to the megachurch what the village is to the large central city. They are different orders of God’s creation.” — Lyle Schaller (April 19, 1923 – March 18, 2015), the Dean of Church Consultants, began his career as an urban planner for the city of Madison, Wisconsin. He left that life to pursue his calling as a … Read More
3 Healthy Relationships Every Pastor Should Have, by Facts & Trends
A right understanding of relationships is critical to pastoral ministry. Yet, for as much time as pastors spend around people, I frequently hear how lonely and isolated they feel. Just because we work closely with people doesn’t mean we’ll have the closeness our souls need. A relationship can’t be forced, and there needs to be a certain organic sense of … Read More
4 Key Questions to Evaluate Your Leadership System
As your church grows, you will need to develop staff, lay leaders and high-level volunteers. What kind of plan do you have in place to make sure you are developing people in the right way? What tools are you using? How do you determine the qualifications of a leader? A healthy Leadership System will help you with staff management, organizational … Read More
On Tithing: Being Obedient in the Local Church
Often people question not the amount of a proper gift but where it should be given. Some people believe they should be able to distribute their tithe as they see fit. They want to control how their money is spent. If they aren’t happy with the way the local church handles its finances, they think they should have the freedom … Read More
5 Practical Ways to Make the Most of Your Sabbath
The benefits of observing a weekly Sabbath cannot be overstated. This is an essential practice for any pastor who wants to wisely manage his time, ministry, and family life. If you aren’t currently taking a Sabbath, please trust us and give it a try. You’ll be amazed by how following God’s prescription for rest—even he took a day off after … Read More
The Voice in Your Head: How to Control Your “Mental Script” to Align with God’s Purpose
Every accomplishment in your life—whether it is how well you do in school, what level you hit in your professional life, or how you manage your household—is directly linked to how you feel about yourself, to whether you think you are capable and worthy of living life at the highest level. And what drives your evaluation of your abilities and … Read More
Leaders Train for Godliness
“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” — 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)
Lyle Schaller on Church Culture
“The safe assumption today is that no two churches are alike; each congregation has its own unique culture.” — Lyle Schaller (April 19, 1923 – March 18, 2015), the Dean of Church Consultants, began his career as an urban planner for the city of Madison, Wisconsin. He left that life to pursue his calling as a church consultant, though he carried … Read More