Considered the preeiminent church consultant of the last century, Lyle Schaller passed away on March 18 this year at 91. If there were one, he would win the Guinness Book of World Records award for most parishes consulted – with thousands and thousands of visits! Here’s a snapshot of some ideas we can glean from Schaller that I shared recently with my Renegade Pastors Network:

1. We have to prepare for the future as it will be not as we want it to be. Discern the times – study trends and demographic changes – and adapt your teaching to fit those needs.

2. Consistently view our church through fresh eyes.

3. Rule of 44. Schaller had an entire series of books on “44 ways to…” Some to check out include 44 Ways to Increase Church Attendance and 44 Questions for Church Planters.

4. Rule of mind storming. You may have heard of brainstorming – writing out multiple solutions to a problem; this is usually done with a group. Mindstorming is you alone thinking of ideas, as many as possible. Settle for no less than 20 ideas.

Your partner in ministry,

Nelson

P.S. – This is a summary of a talk I gave to my Renegade Pastors Network in a live coaching call. On these calls, I help you focus and learn the top things you should be thinking about in the pursuit of “abandoning average.” If you’d like to join me and other like-minded pastors in this private coaching network, today through this Friday only, you have a special opportunity to get Half Off the first month of the Renegade Pastors Network.

Click here to see over $2,045.85 in bonuses that you will receive – all for just $49 today through Friday, June 5! 

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.