“People should be more like Jesus when they walk out of our churches than when they walked in, and every aspect of our services should be created with that goal in mind. Repentance is the deepest kind of worship.” – Nelson Searcy and Jason Hatley The above quote is from p. 36 of … Read More
The State of the Church in 2016
Today’s guest post comes to us from Barna.com. The Christian church has been a cornerstone of American life for centuries, but much has changed in the last 30 years. Americans are attending church less, and more people are experiencing and practicing their faith outside of its four walls. Millennials in particular are coming of age at a time of great … Read More
Jonathan Edwards on the Results of Salvation
“Conversion is a great and glorious work of God’s power, at once changing the heart, and infusing life into the dead soul; though the grace then implanted more gradually displays itself in some than in others.” – Jonathan Edwards, born on this day in 1703 in East Windsor, CT
A Better Way to Be Evangelical
Today’s guest post comes to us from Anthony L. Blair for ChristianityToday.com. Anthony is president and dean of the faculty at Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. As the president of an institution with evangelical in its name, I’ve had many opportunities to reflect on the mixed legacy that comes with that word. If you don’t explain what you mean, others … Read More
Monday is for Follow-up: Handling with Strategic Care
“Gifts from God are given freely – and strategically – and God expects us to handle what we’ve been given with the same strategic care. First-time guests are extraordinary gifts full of unparalleled potential. As God brings them through our front doors, our prayerfully planned reciprocation can result in changed lives for the Kingdom.” – Nelson Searcy (the above quote is … Read More
C.S. Lewis on Christian Philosophy
“To be ignorant and simple now – not to be able to meet the enemies on their own ground – would be to throw down our weapons and to betray our uneducated brethren who have, under God, no defense but us against the intellectual attacks of the heathen. Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy … Read More
Keys to Worship Planning: A Formula for Transformation
“Information plus inspiration plus action leads to transformation. God provides the inspiration; we provide the information and the call to action.” – Nelson Searcy and Jason Hatley The above quote is from p. 36 of Engage: A Guide to Creating Life-Transforming Worship Services. Engage is your step-by-step, stress-free guide to planning creative worship … Read More
Lazy Staff Syndrome
Today’s guest blog comes to us from Tony Morgan, Chief Strategic Officer and founder of The Unstuck Group. I can’t believe I’m writing this article. I had always assumed that Christ-followers would always model a healthy work ethic, especially if they’re paid to engage ministry. My assumption is challenged, though, by a growing culture of laziness infecting many of our … Read More
The Magic Seven: Do this when the service ends… – Part 4 of 4
Last week in Part 3 of this series, we started to talk about how you can create opportunities to connect with your guests in the seven minutes after the church service ends. In the conclusion of our four part series, here are the remaining ways you can best connect with your guests: THE SEVEN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDS As the bookend to … Read More
John Wesley’s Rules for Preachers
Today’s guest post comes to us from Nathan Finn for BetweenTheTimes.com John Wesley (1703-1791) was one of the key leaders of the Evangelical Awakening in Britain during the mid-eighteenth century. Circumstances drove Wesley to adopt itinerant evangelistic preaching, an idea he picked up from his friend and former student George Whitefield. Once Wesley embraced itinerancy, he extended his movement’s influence by … Read More