Many renewal-focused congregations are caught in the stir. The stir, as I label it, includes deeply felt convictions related to human sexuality, women’s leadership, various political persuasions, justice and mercy issues, even practices that maintain …
Most renewal pastors motivate members towards mission by reminding them of Jesus’ mandate to go and tell. In other words, it’s mission through witness. In this Advent season, perhaps we should consider another motivating missional …
The Hartford Institute for Religion Research discovered that two out of three pastors named last year as the most difficult year of their ministry career. So, it is not surprising that Lifeway Research discovered that …
The pandemic is teaching us that survival depends on reinvention. One of my favorite reinvention stories (a pre-Pandemic story) is the tale of a mom-and-pop grocery store located a few blocks from my home. A …
There are many ways to be church in the world. I was reminded of that on a recent trip to Amish country. On the two-hour drive we passed stately suburban churches, rural white clapboard churches, …
What if ending is just a beginning? I recently posed that question to elders discussing the completion of their congregation’s journey. Many congregations are having similar conversations. David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group, predicts …
“We’re losing our kids!” That’s the number one concern expressed by most renewal leaders. The societal trend among the 35 and younger crowd is to abandon religious affiliation all together (1 in 3 are counted …
Renewal leaders spend a lot of time thinking about church. In his book Kingdom Come, Reggie McNeal suggests we should spend a little less time thinking about church and a lot more time thinking about …
This week the Center for Church Renewal launches a Doctor of Ministry Degree (offered through Western Theological Seminary) entitled “Church Renewal in the North American Context.” As we begin, we will discuss, CENTER CHURCH by …
