If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that I am a stickler for follow-up. Many of us in church leadership are heavy on good intentions and light on follow-up. One follow-up question that just about every pastor I know has wrestled with is “how can we most effectively follow up with those who … Read More
Are You Reaching Non-Christians This Christmas? (Part 4)
This week, we’ve been thinking about how you can work with the natural surge that God has built into the Christmas season to influence those who don’t yet know Jesus. We started by making sure we are outwardly-focused this season. Then, we talked about how to increase the number of guests at our Christmas services. Yesterday, we learned how to … Read More
Are You Reaching Non-Christians This Christmas? (Part 1)
Is your church doing a Christmas play? Hosting a church-wide party? Inviting all of the couples to a Christmas reception? Holding a Christmas Eve service? I hope you are doing at least one or two of these things. Christmas is a time for celebration! But as you go about your usual holiday festivities, let me challenge you to think about … Read More
The “One Month” Perspective
Sunday was a big day at The Journey – and you know how I love Big Days! We’ve been gearing up for this Big Day with Kerry Shook for over a month and it really paid off. We had a huge number of first-time guests and everyone was very receptive to Kerry’s message (almost 1200 in attendance and 102 first … Read More
What Happens AFTER Baptism?
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
Monday Proflections – July 28, 2008
Here’s what’s happening with me and CLI that may be of interest to you this week: Monday – In addition to the usual follow-up from Sunday, I’ll be following-up with the 57 people who were baptized on Saturday at our Beach Baptism (see tomorrow’s post for our follow-up process). That’s a record for one of our beach events – God … 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
Where There’s Slack There’s Lack – New Eight Week Series
INTRODUCTION: I’ve been playing with this phrase in my mind for quite a while now. It’s a true statement, don’t you agree? Where there’s slack (in energy or effort), there will be lack… a lack of fruit, a lack of results, a lack of passion… Those of you who are familiar with me and with Church Leader Insights are pretty … Read More
Monday Proflections – June 30, 2008
It’s the week of July 4th and a vacation time for many people. I’m even taking a few days later in the week so it’s a pretty relaxed week, but here’s what’s going on that may be of interest to you: Monday – In our various staff meetings today, we are continuing our discussion of ‘how to wow’ – I … 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