What do followers need from leaders to thrive? Those who lead congregations through seasons of renewal must ask this question. The outcome often hinges on how well leaders can engage council members, staff members, and the …
More Trends In Church Renewal
Last week, I began summarizing an important new report that highlights 10 dynamics I think are relevant to our work in church renewal. This week I have the final five insights from Vanderbloemen Group’s State of …
Broad Trends In Church Renewal
I never pass up an opportunity to have lunch or coffee with other pastors in town. I love hearing what ministry looks like from their point of view. I love picking their brains about meeting …
Perfectly Wrong
I’ve never made a March Madness bracket worth bragging about, and apparently, I’m not alone! Of the millions of brackets users created on Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports, ESPN, and the NCAA’s platforms, not a single one …
In Defense of Church Growth
We all long to reverse numerical declines and see our churches grow once again… or do we? I used to assume this was universally true, but recent conversations have convinced me that a discussion is warranted. …
A Failure of Discipleship?
Remember Covid? Just saying the word Covid brings up images, thoughts, and pain. Images of the first online service. Thoughts of trying to figure out how we would navigate this time. The pain of seeing our …
Seven Ways to Get Your Church Unstuck
Resistance to change is one of the most common barriers we face in church renewal. Over time, churches tend to become complacent and stagnant by default. Why? It is human nature to fear the unknown and …
Church Renewal: A Historical Perspective
Someone suggested tracing church renewal movements through history to gather important lessons. This is an excellent suggestion. First, a quick note. While revival and church renewal involve spiritual renewal, they are distinct. Revival is a …
A Look Back At Fresh Ideas From 2024
As we bid farewell to 2024, now is a perfect time to reflect on the church renewal principles we discussed in this newsletter throughout the year. Below are some fresh ideas you might want to revisit …
Pixar’s Principles For Preaching
Each Christmas morning, my family had a fun tradition — gathering around the tree to retell the Christmas story. Mom didn’t share the “stats” of the shepherds, and Dad didn’t detail the “data” of the donkeys. No, …
