“Actions always speak louder than words. There’s no getting around this truth: How you respond when you’ve been given a gift – and what you do with the gift itself – proves just how much you really appreciate it. So have you gotten any gifts lately? Think about that question another way: Did you have any first-time guests at your … Read More
Keys to Worship Planning: Honoring God Through Excellence
“We are a reflection of God’s character on this earth. God isn’t sloppy or ill prepared; he’s excellent. And excellence on our part honors him. Where you and I get into trouble is in thinking that excellence is the same as perfection. It isn’t. We will never be perfect this side of heaven. But that doesn’t mean we can’t … Read More
Global Megachurch Growth
Small churches out number U.S. megachurches nine to one. Each has their own unique local and global tasks. When John Vaughan, founder of Church Growth Today (1980), wrote the book, The World’s 20 Largest Churches (1985), there were only 27 known non-Catholic churches in the world with 6,000 plus weekend attendance. Eleven were in the United States. Today, more than … Read More
The Magic Seven: Do this when the service ends… – Part 3 of 4
Last week in Part 2 of this series, we wrapped up how you can connect with your guests during the seven minutes before your Sunday service begins. We pick up today with how you can create opportunities in the seven minutes after the service ends. THE SEVEN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDS As the bookend to your Sunday service, these seven … Read More
Ten Observations about the New Testament Church
Today’s guest post comes to us from Scot McKnight, a recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. Scot has also authored more than fifty books and is the Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lombard, IL. A local church has the capacity to adjust itself to its environment and, so long as the … Read More
Monday is for Follow-up: Ensuring Connections
“We have been called to plant and water so that God can grow the harvest – and not to plant and water haphazardly, but to the best of our abilities as we are laboring for His kingdom. We must do the work to ensure a connection with our guests. God promises us that if we step toward Him, He will … Read More
J. Frank Norris on a Literal Salvation
“Whenever you find a preacher who takes the Bible allegorically and figuratively…that preacher is preaching an allegorical gospel which is no gospel. I thank God for a literal Christ, for a literal salvation. There is literal sorrow, literal death, literal Hell, and, thank God, there is a literal Heaven.” – J. Frank Norris, “The Texas Tornado” and first megachurch multi-site pastor … Read More
Keys to Worship Planning: How Well Are You Doing Right Now?
“When people aren’t internalizing what they experience in your services, their lives won’t change. The question then becomes, how do you preach in a way that truly engages people and leads to radically transformed lives? The first step is to figure out how well you are doing right now. Are you preaching to share information or to foster transformation? … Read More
Ten Reasons Christianity is Declining
Today’s guest post comes to us from David Gushee for ReligionNews.com. The number of Christians and cultural strength of Christianity are both declining in the United States. This decline is noticeable and is affecting church life, culture, and politics. It is also deeply disturbing to most Christians, including me. I could now spend several paragraphs inviting a debate over whether … Read More