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Do Over!
Interesting post over at ChurchLeaders.com. They asked some very successful ministry leaders what they would do-over in their ministry. Here are a couple of the responses: Be more patient with people in the church, with other ministers and schools of thought. —Matt Chandler, The Village Church, Flower Mound, Texas Not be so dogmatic and blunt. —Robert Emmitt, Community Bible Church, San Antonio, Texas Is ‘dogmatism’ and ‘impatience’ a part of your ministry? How do you bridge the gap...
read moreTithe Record Lows
Tithing to mainline Protestant churches as a percentage of income is at its lowest level in at least 41 years, according to a new report, and churches are keeping a greater share of those donations for their own needs. Parishioners gave about 2.38 percent of their income to their church, according to “The State of Church Giving through 2009,” a new report being released this month by Empty Tomb inc., a Christian research agency in Champaign, Ill. Just over 2 percent of income went toward congregational finances, such as operating costs and...
read moreSame Sex Ceremony: Would you attend?
Interesting post over at Out of Ur recently… they ask the question as to whether or not you would attend a same sex wedding ceremony. They use a quote from Al Mohler that says they he thinks it would be difficult for a Christian to attend: The traditional Christian ceremony, as reflected in The Book of Common Prayer, asks if anyone present knows of any reason why the couple should not be joined in holy matrimony. That is not intended as a hypothetical question. It is intended to ensure that no one present knows of any reason that the...
read more75% of Pastors: Mormons aren’t Christian
As a prominent evangelical pastor and supporter of Texas Gov. Rick Perry is taking heat for calling Mormonism a “cult,” a newly released poll says most Protestant pastors in U.S. agree that Mormons are not Christians. Three out of four pastors surveyed by Southern Baptist-affiliated LifeWay Research said they disagreed with the statement that Mormons are Christians. The poll was conducted in October 2010 but was not released until Sunday (Oct. 9). The poll of 1,000 Protestant clergy reflects a continuing a challenge for former...
read moreTop 7 Reasons NOT to Go On a Missions Trip
Membership in an active church can present some incredible opportunities to travel outside the United States to faraway lands where your volunteer efforts can have a great impact upon the lives of local people. Many US churches do conduct active periodic mission trips to Third World nations in order to fulfill certain activities that without these volunteers would either be underdeveloped or nonexistent. However, even though this is a church activity, there are certain reasons why you should NOT participate including: Do Not Go If You Believe...
read moreMainline Desperation
Read these words of J. Barrett Owen about what it will take to get the mainline church back on track: We look at the work it’s going to take to rebuild our mainline churches and we’re met with anguish, difficult times and frustration. We feel little to no creativity after examining the debt and despair that creeps past the sanctuary doors. We feel the work it’s going to take to become a necessary influence on the community is enough to cause anyone to give up and walk away. So instead of influencing anybody, we just tell...
read moreTop 4 Reasons for Technology in Churches
This infographic from Tyndale University College and Seminary has a lot of great information. Including, their top 4 reasons for churches to use technology: 1. To enrich relationships/stay connected with members 2. To reach the online community 3. To evolve with the congregation 4. To bring in new members Here’s the graphic. What stands out to you? For a larger version of this graphic, please go here. What stood out to you the most? And what’s the most interesting use of technology that your church has...
read moreMore Reading? No Thank You!
Ah, school has resumed and all is right with the world. How thankful I am that my daughters are the only ones in our family heading back to class this fall. Required readings, no thank you! I have never been much of a bookworm; I’ve gotten better but still not what you would consider an avid reader. I can safely say that through High School, I read 4 of the required readings: 3 Shakespeare Plays (Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar & Macbeth) and Grendel. Reading was not my thing. I worked with teenagers for over 11...
read moreOutside the box
David Hayward at nakedpastor has an interesting comic this morning on his blog. See what you think: So many times, we want our leaders to think outside the box. Outside the box thinking is great. But. And that’s a big but. Do we allow our people to really think outside the box without consequences? Do YOU have the freedom to think out the box without being hurled so far outside the box for sharing your thoughts that you are completely dazzled to the point that you’ll never leave the box again. Outside the box thinking is...
read moreUpdate on Copyright Infringement
Yesterday, I posted about a little bit of controversy swirling around between Mars Hill Seattle and Mars Hill Sacramento. You can read the post here. Last night, I received a gracious comment from Mars Hill Sacramento Pastor Scott Hagan on the post and a link to his response. You can read all of it here. I wish all matters of dispute in the church ultimately ended up the way this one has. The humbleness on the part of both churches and their leadership made this amicable outcome possible. Good job,...
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