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Every church experiences seasons of growth, plateau, and decline. It’s the natural rhythm of life and it affects individuals as well as organizations. For an encouraging example of renewal, read the church revitalisation story from High Wycombe: from 30 saints [...]
The atmosphere was colder than an arctic winter. Palpable hostility was written all over some faces. Yes, that’s right. I was preaching on money. It was the first series I’d ever done on the ‘forbidden’ topic and I was soon intimidated [...]
During a consult last week I asked a leader in the church what’s your current biggest challenge. Their one-word answer is “Volunteers”. She didn’t mean the superabundance of them but the lack of active volunteers in the church. [...]
Facebook is the big gorilla of social media. Pervasive. Ubiquitous. Dominant. And I love it. Now, I don’t love everything about Facebook. Don’t get me started on the algorithm. Messenger was initially a frustration because its notifications kept intruding into my space. [...]
The awkwardness in the room was palpable. The four couples from my congregation looked as stunned as kangaroos in a ute’s headlights. They weren’t sure what this Ministry Development Group was all about. Nor did they know how [...]
One of the quandaries that I have often reflected on is that leadership in the second chair is fundamentally different from first chair leadership. Can You Really Lead From The Second Chair? Leadership is essential in growing a healthy [...]
Every Sunday, churches welcome visitors who never return. As a church consultant, I became a mystery shopper at a local church of 500 people. Only the pastor knew me, and he didn’t even realise I was there until after [...]
Have you ever met a pastor who hated the idea of their church growing? No? Me neither. Every pastor I’ve ever met wants their church to grow. And without visitors, your church will never grow. Of course what’s helpful [...]
Occasionally I think back to my first preaching experiences as an immature, just saved 19 year old. I went to Bible College 5 months after coming to Christ. It was a live-in, intensive 4-month course and every weekend [...]
Reflect on five leadership development phases from Robert Clinton’s The Making of a Leader and recognise God’s work across your ministry journey.
Many years ago I had the pleasure of experiencing TD Jakes preaching the house down. When I heard TD Jakes preach in Sydney, his storytelling and delivery made a lasting impression on me. These are the lessons I [...]
Practical ways to support your pastor: pray, encourage, help solve problems, ask thoughtful questions and lighten the load. Lessons from my assistant pastor years.
Measuring the health of a church is crucial for both newcomers and seasoned pastors. Whether you are searching for a new church home or leading a congregation, the fundamental question remains the same: “Is this church healthy?” [...]
Every pastor eventually asks this question: what stops a church from growing? Pastors ask this question regardless of the size of their church. It doesn’t matter if the church is a brand-new plant, 15 years old or [...]
The Barna Group’s 2016 research of American churches found that almost half (46%) attend a church of 100 or fewer members. More than one-third (37%) attend a midsize church of over 100, but not larger than 499. [...]
