How do you develop culture in your church?
Developing church culture is actually quite simple, although not easy. It’s done primarily through two means: 1. Words – keep talking/preaching/teaching/telling stories about the things you want central in your church. 2. Actions – behave in a way that is aligned to your words. For example, if you want a culture of prayer in your church then preach/teach/talk/tell stories constantly. Then pray! And involve other people in your prayer life. It’s quite simple. However, it’s not easy. Because the challenge is to remain consistent over the long haul. One reason Phil...
Read More4 essential items for the church board meeting
Church boards are notorious for wasting time on minuscule operational matters. Focus your board on essentials by including these agenda items in your board meetings at least 3 times a year. 1. Dashboard A dashboard of your key stats which show membership, attendance, percentage of members in small groups & serving, baptisms & key financial trends. 2. Care of the Pastor Boards should be asking their pastor, “how are you”? Use these 6 questions board members should ask their pastor as a guide. 3. Are we on track? Look again at your core mission & convictions &...
Read MoreCan we arrest & reverse the trend towards inconsistent church attendance?
Steve Caton writes an interesting post on church attendance. While it is titled Engage Inconsistent Church Attenders in 4 Simple Steps these steps are certainly not simple & definitely not easy. They are the usual fare: raise the bar, small groups, serving & connection. However, churches are often doing these things but still seeing a decline in consistent attendance. So what’s the answer? Do we just live with it? Do we just focus on these 4 things that help but aren’t really working? My (not original) idea: hold a regular Everyone Come to Church Sunday. Heat up the...
Read MoreAre people with tattoos visionary or blind?
Now I’ve got nothing against people getting tats. However, I do wonder about people getting significant, easily viewed tattoos, like arm sleeves. The thing I wonder is whether they will like it in 10, 20 or 30 years. Being older & a visionary I tend to think long term so I wonder if ’arm sleeve tatts’ people are visionary & have worked out that they will like those colours, design & emblems in 3o years time or whether they are just blind to the future. What do you...
Read MoreLinks worth checking out
Here’s some links from my twitter feed you might find interesting: 10 Psychology Tricks You Can Use To Influence People Interesting post about influencing people. It avoids dark arts & taps into human motivations. BibleView Riverview Church’s app for getting into the Bible. 5 Things Every Son Needs to Hear From His Dad Read then share this superb post. Vicki Simpson’s blog Subscribe to this excellent Australian blog. As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God I love the fact this article is on Richard Dawkin’s website!!! Why not follow me on...
Read MoreIs this the best line emerging from the Lance Armstrong debacle?
Lance: Sin will take U further than U want to go, keep you longer than U want to stay & cost U more than U want to pay. is.gd/wF2Dt6 — Ed Stetzer (@edstetzer) January 18, 2013
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