“The small congregation is to the megachurch what the village is to the large central city. They are different orders of God’s creation.” — Lyle Schaller (April 19, 1923 – March 18, 2015), the Dean of Church Consultants, began his career as an urban planner for the city of Madison, Wisconsin. He left that life to pursue his calling as a … Read More
3 Healthy Relationships Every Pastor Should Have, by Facts & Trends
A right understanding of relationships is critical to pastoral ministry. Yet, for as much time as pastors spend around people, I frequently hear how lonely and isolated they feel. Just because we work closely with people doesn’t mean we’ll have the closeness our souls need. A relationship can’t be forced, and there needs to be a certain organic sense of … Read More
4 Key Questions to Evaluate Your Leadership System
As your church grows, you will need to develop staff, lay leaders and high-level volunteers. What kind of plan do you have in place to make sure you are developing people in the right way? What tools are you using? How do you determine the qualifications of a leader? A healthy Leadership System will help you with staff management, organizational … Read More
On Tithing: Being Obedient in the Local Church
Often people question not the amount of a proper gift but where it should be given. Some people believe they should be able to distribute their tithe as they see fit. They want to control how their money is spent. If they aren’t happy with the way the local church handles its finances, they think they should have the freedom … Read More
5 Practical Ways to Make the Most of Your Sabbath
The benefits of observing a weekly Sabbath cannot be overstated. This is an essential practice for any pastor who wants to wisely manage his time, ministry, and family life. If you aren’t currently taking a Sabbath, please trust us and give it a try. You’ll be amazed by how following God’s prescription for rest—even he took a day off after … Read More
The Voice in Your Head: How to Control Your “Mental Script” to Align with God’s Purpose
Every accomplishment in your life—whether it is how well you do in school, what level you hit in your professional life, or how you manage your household—is directly linked to how you feel about yourself, to whether you think you are capable and worthy of living life at the highest level. And what drives your evaluation of your abilities and … Read More
Leaders Train for Godliness
“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” — 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)
Lyle Schaller on Church Culture
“The safe assumption today is that no two churches are alike; each congregation has its own unique culture.” — Lyle Schaller (April 19, 1923 – March 18, 2015), the Dean of Church Consultants, began his career as an urban planner for the city of Madison, Wisconsin. He left that life to pursue his calling as a church consultant, though he carried … Read More
5 Characteristics Every Church Leader’s Spouse Needs, by Facts & Trends
“Your wife will either double your ministry or cut it in half.” That observation came from one of my mentors. Over a forty-plus year ministry, he’d watched pastors thrive or fail. His point is well-taken. A godly, supportive spouse will enhance your gifts, talents, and ability to minister. A selfish, unsupportive spouse will inhibit your ministry significantly. Let me offer … Read More
Save Your Spot: Bring a Mission Team to NYC Next Summer & Change the World!
I’m inviting you to bring a Mission Team to NYC next summer and invest a week sharing the love of Jesus with thousands of New Yorkers. NYC is the largest city in our country. The world is at our doorstep. When I look at the faces of the people that we have reached and the 2,700+ we have baptized, it … Read More