Summer small groups are also an ideal way to raise up new group leaders, for two reasons. Number one, many of your regular leaders will want to take the summer off. In fact, we encourage a summer break. You don’t want leaders to get burned out. And through their break, you open up the opportunity for people who have never led before to step in. … Read More
Maximize Summer By Being Creative With Small Groups (Part 1)
Many churches decide to take a break from small groups during the summer, which is a perfectly legitimate thing to do. But if your structure allows for it, summer groups can be extremely effective for getting new people plugged in… especially if you do them creatively. The summer weather gives you and your group leaders the opportunity to plan lots of fun groups that … Read More
How To Be Creative With Your Preaching This Summer (Part 2)
As part of your creative summer series planning, try tying in fun events to complement your teaching. For example, during the God On Film series, we have weekly “play groups” available where people can go see one of the featured movies with others from the church, and then grab dinner to discuss it. This goes hand-in-hand with your creative outreach. People will want to … Read More
How To Be Creative With Your Preaching This Summer (Part 1)
Summer is the time to be extra creative in your message planning. You have the freedom to intentionally teach on topics that will draw a crowd. Around The Journey, we always plan this kind of “attractional series” for the summer, in an effort to reach people who may not otherwise come to church. Each year we do a series called … Read More
FREE Webinar – Learn the Key to “Closing the Back Door” – This Week & Next
We’ve all heard this line from a frustrated pastor (or ourselves): “We would be growing if we could just close the back door.” The first step in closing the back door and keeping more first time guests is eliminating the mistakes you’re making now in assimilating new people! After coaching over 1,200 Senior Pastors – of all types, church sizes, … Read More
Celebrating the Life of Howard Hendricks – Top 3 Books for Teachers
I was sad to hear that Howard Hendricks, legendary professor at Dallas Theological Seminary and prolific Christian author, passed away on Wednesday, February 20, at the age of 88. After authoring 18 books and preaching around the world in more than 80 countries, Hendricks was also well known for his influence on other Christian leaders, as several count him as … Read More
How to Lead by Faith but Face the Facts
Roy Mansfield here – Pastor of Spiritual Development at Northstar Church in Panama City, Florida, Senior Pastors Coaching Network Alumni and regular guest on Nelson’s blog. Today I’d like to share a truth that may (and should) challenge you in your role as a church leader… A leader who will not stare reality dead in the face has no real faith. … Read More
How to Plan Engaging Christmas Worship Services
Jason Hatley here . . . Pastor of Worship Arts at The Journey and Founder of Worship Leader Insights. Have you ever noticed how, when leading worship, you and your team can be totally immersed in the moment, but when you look around the congregation looks like they’re stuck in line at the grocery store? Arms crossed. Faces stiff. iPhone … Read More
Free Call TODAY – 22 Questions You Need to Finish the Year
The philosopher Socrates famously said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Unfortunately, I’ve observed over the years that many pastors suffer from this very condition. Rather than taking a little time on a periodic basis to look back, self-evaluate and make corrections, it’s far more common to simply take life as it comes and suffer the consequences. I want … Read More
How to Create Moments in Your Christmas Music
Jason Hatley here – Pastor of Worship Arts at The Journey and Founder of Worship Leader Insights. You’ve heard me say it before — our goal in worship on Sunday isn’t to sing songs, but to create life-transforming moments (thanks to Tom Jackson for introducing me to this principle). This is especially true as we’re preparing music for the Christmas … Read More