Most of the people who walk through your door have been burned by church, negative press about the church or by a friend or family member in the name of religion. More than likely, they are skeptical and waiting for you to mess it up. But when you give your first-time guests a consistent pre-service experience that makes them … Read More
Testing Faith through “A Long, Cold, Dark Winter’s Night”
“Before God uses his servants in a mighty way, He allows them to suffer in a long, cold, dark winter’s night to build mighty faith in them.” – Dr. Elmer Towns Today’s post is another spiritual teaching from my mentor, Dr. Elmer Towns. He’s sharing something here that we often preach on ourselves – but has new significance when applied … Read More
The Role of a Prayer Partner
One of my great mentors is Dr. Elmer Towns (co-founder of Liberty University) and I’m excited to share with you some teachings from him on prayer, and practical ways to strengthen your spiritual life as a pastor. Today he’s talking to you about the importance of finding a prayer partner for ministry. Jesus said, “Again I say to you that if two … Read More
What Gets Measured – A Saturday Quote
“What’s measured improves.” – Peter Drucker, management consultant, author, and educator
LAST Chance for my Top 10 Fall Sermons – HALF OFF!
Today is the final day for you to save with my Top 10 Fall Sermons Sale – don’t miss out on this last opportunity to get these proven sermon series for HALF OFF! Fall will be here before we know it – so today I’m encouraging you to start planning NOW. Preaching sure requires a lot of advanced planning – but these resources … Read More
LIVE from Systems Boot Camp Orlando – Focus on Measurement
I’m writing to you from Walt Disney, Orlando – in the middle of our 3-day Church Systems Check-up & Boot Camp. We are blessed to have a full conference – just look at this amazing group! We’re focused these 3 days on the 8 Systems of a Healthy Church, and specifically Measurement of those 8 systems. Remember that a S.Y.S.T.E.M. is … Read More
7 Factors that are Hindering Evangelism in Churches
Evangelism is one of the key systems of healthy churches. With a goal toward revitalization, in today’s guest post Dr. Thom Rainer encourages you to “look in the mirror” when it comes to measuring the evangelistic temperature of your church. (You have an opportunity to meet Dr. Rainer in a couple of months – for details see the P.S.) There … Read More
It’s BACK! My FREE List of Best Books of 2014 (So Far!)
Looks like we have quite a few readers out there! I’ve had a number of requests to bring back my free list of this year’s best books. This is the best of the best – what you should be reading now to maximize your leadership and your ministry. Normally you’d have to wait until the end of the year to … Read More
This Strange Thing Called Growth
Church growth is on my mind (actually it always is) and I wanted to share with you a very insightful and thought-provoking piece I came across on this subject. The author John Johnson is a pastor and Professor of Pastoral Theology at Western Seminary. Here he approaches growth from several angles, noting that “All of us are somewhere on the growth … Read More
Church Growth, it’s no secret – LAST DAY Half Off Summer Systems Sale!
With 4th of July behind us, we’re quickly moving through summer and gearing up for BIG fall growth! And what’s the secret to big church growth? This question has come up more times than I can count – but after coaching over 2,000 pastors in all denominations, I have a very clear answer on this. While there is no Silver … Read More