The Lone Ranger shot silver bullets. Those bullets symbolized purity against the corruption of evil. The “silver bullet” has taken on an expanded meaning in our culture. It now symbolizes the perfect answer to our …
The Gravitational Force of Gratitude
Gratitude has a gravitational effect, pulling church renewal efforts along when nothing else seems to work. Earlier, when I wrote about the “Physics of Church Renewal,” I listed several principles church leaders can leverage to get …
Anything but Thankful (Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea)
Have you ever found yourself between the devil and the deep blue sea? The Israelites certainly did, quite literally. A day that should have been filled with celebration at God’s miraculous deliverance from slavery in …
Reaching Out At Christmas Time
There may be 41 days left before Christmas, but today is the perfect time to begin thinking about how to use this season for church renewal and reaching out! Now you might say,” But Bill, …
Where Did All The Volunteers Go?
Healthy churches are filled with excited, thriving teams of volunteer leaders. These highly involved laypeople get to experience God working through them. They push the mission and vision of the church forward. And they develop …
Five Ideas For a Modern Reformation
Happy Reformation Day! On Oct. 31 more than 500 years ago, Martin Luther ignited a movement that persists to this day. Luther found that the Church had strayed from its message of salvation by grace …
How to Overcome Resistance to Change During Church Renewal
Growth requires change, but human nature often opposes it by default. As church renewal leaders, one of the best investments we can make is learning about the art and science of change. In some churches, …
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. …
Cultivating a Kingdom Outlook in Church Renewal, Part 2
Back in September, I penned an article titled “Kingdom Outlook” where I shared five insights from Reggie MacNeal’s book, Kingdom Come. This month, I’d like to share five insights on a Kingdom Outlook from NT …
Your Pastor Needs You!
October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and let me assure that, yes, your pastor could use some good ol’ fashioned appreciation! In fact, many pastors are not doing OK, and they need our help in a big …
