What do high impact congregations have in common? That is the question the developers of the REVEAL Survey (REVEAL measures the discipleship health of a congregation) wanted to answer when they asked pastors from the highest …
How to Structure for Renewal
Good governance is essential for healthy renewal. Governance is about how we decide things and how we get things done. It is about the relationship between boards, staff, teams, and volunteers. Governance is like a …
Church Renewal Trends in 2024
Happy New Year! Last week, we looked back on the biggest “fresh ideas” of 2023. Now, as we enter into 2024, we would like to look forward toward emerging trends in the new year. Below are several …
Things to Remember When Living in a New Culture
North American culture is changing rapidly. We know that. We feel that. Many yearn for days, not long ago, when life was simpler, faith-family was central, and Sunday worship was a highlight of the week. …
Renewal And Keeping It Real
Pillar Church, a CRC/RCA congregation in Holland, MI, has experienced a remarkable Spirit-birthed turnaround. Their ministry focus is, “A CHURCH FOR THE CITY.” Their ministry commitment is, “TO BE A PLACE WHERE YOUR NAME IS …
Positive Messaging
Would you rather hang out with a “yes” person or a “no” person? A person who is persistently positive or persistently negative? A person who is grateful or a person who complains incessantly? The answer …
Choose To Change One Thing This Summer
The 2022/23 ministry season has ended. What was the one thing that most annoyed you during the past year? Was it misspelled worship slides, leadership meetings that majored in minors, a poorly run children’s ministry, …
From Me to We Outreach
Lifeway Research published a post-pandemic church growth article entitled “4 Factors That Predict Church Growth”. The author notes that the average Protestant church has 85% of their pre-pandemic attendance. Still, surprisingly, several churches grew. What …
Third Rail Conversations in Renewal Congregations
Third rails are electrified metal rails supplying power to subway trains. If you touch the other two rails, you will live. If you touch the third rail, there are no guarantees. A “third rail” has …
Renewal and Downsizing Well
Most North American churches need downsizing. Lifeway Research (see here) notes that today’s median worship attendance is 65, down from 137 in 2000. This downsizing trend has been accelerated by three factors: a cultural shift …
