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 …
Learning To Love the Institutional Church
There seems to be one thing Americans can agree on—whether we are on the right, left, or somewhere in the middle: we don’t trust and don’t like institutions. Our trust in institutions has been in …
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. …
Those Were The Days
A lifetime ago, there was a show called “All in the Family,” and each episode began with two people at a piano singing a song that longed for a bygone era. Sometimes, the church sounds …
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 …
What Leads To Renewal In 2025
In the last two Fresh Ideas newsletters, I noted that there have been several major epochs of church renewal but, most importantly, church renewal is a constant fixture in every Spirit-filled, Spirit-led congregation. I also highlighted …
What Initiates Church Renewal?
In last week’s Fresh Ideas newsletter, I noted that there have been several major epochs of church renewal but, most importantly, church renewal is a constant fixture in every Spirit-filled, Spirit-led congregation. At the Center for Church Renewal …
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 …
