Research is now proving what we have long experienced — people’s minds are incredibly hard to change. That has huge implications for our work in church renewal. The explanation goes like this: The brain’s primary job is …
Cultivating a Kingdom Outlook in Church Renewal
As I anticipate the gathering of our fourth session in the Church Renewal Lab, I have some insights from Reggie McNeal’s book Kingdom Come percolating in my brain. The fourth session of the Lab spends some time …
Renewal Churches As Ripples Of Good
You get up in the morning and turn on your computer, iPad, or television. The waves of hurt and pain roll in — wars, famine, political polarization, racism, abuse, and people just struggling to make …
Leadership For Renewal
“Can I interview you about leadership?” I was once asked this question by a college student assigned to interview leaders. I was encouraged that she thought of a pastor as a leader. Not everyone in our …
How To Be Personal Without Taking Things Personally
Leaders often find themselves in the crosshairs of criticism. Renewal leaders who push against the status quo often feel like they’re in the center of the bullseye 24/7. Steve Jobs was right when he said, “If you want …
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 …
Dealing With The Crisis of Trust
One of the best investments church renewal leaders can make is in sharpening their leadership abilities. To help our church staff grow in their leadership skills, we attended the Global Leadership Summit last week. Several themes emerged at GLS …
Planning a Vision Retreat
The work of church renewal hinges on ministry leaders’ clarity about the church’s mission and their role in helping to accomplish it. Summer is the perfect season to plan a retreat that allows your team …
Is It Time to Retreat?
In the relentless weekly rhythm of church ministry, it can be easy to lose sight of the big picture. Sunday is always coming, so we often put team development and vision work on the back burner. …
The Physics of Church Renewal
Understanding and harnessing the laws of the universe is powerful! Look no further than the highly anticipated movie Oppenheimer, which is centered around the incredible power hidden inside tiny atoms. Similar laws are at work …
