Several Renewal leaders have been struggling with division in their ranks connected to polarized political ideologies. For some, those divisions were recently on display during discussions about the timing and safe practices of reopening. Jesus …
The Big Three and the Hidden One
Over the past five years of working with churches on renewal projects, I’ve discerned that most congregations face the “Big Three” and the “Hidden One.” Some of us who are older may remember when GM, …
A Look Ahead at the Headwinds of 2025
To help your church thrive, it is important to keep an eye out for emerging opportunities and challenges. What better time to think about these trends than at the start of a new year! I …
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 …
Recent Trends In Church Staffing
A high-functioning church staff helps the church accomplish its mission. A key task many church renewal leaders face is hiring, training, and empowering the right people for ministry as employees. The Unstuck Group recently just …
Encouraging People: Being a “Barnabas” in a “Paul” World
Recently, I was on a call discussing the need for encouragement in this season of life and ministry. Many of our friends and colleagues are walking away from ministry and the church. It can be …
Biblical Prayers for Renewal
EDITOR’S NOTE: This summer, we are going to highlight some of our most popular articles from recent years. We’re beginning with this article, which consistently has the highest number of hits on our website! Often, …
Asking Better Questions In Church Renewal
Getting the right answers is useless if you’re asking the wrong questions. Yet, how often do we pause and zoom out to make sure we’re asking the right questions in church renewal? Church renewal begins not with activity …
Just Do Something: Cultivating a Bias Toward Action
Synergy is a popular word in the business world. Companies like Starbucks and Barnes & Noble have shown how profitable collaboration can be. Who wouldn’t want to sip coffee while flipping through a good book? …
Praying Together For Church Renewal
Church renewal is fueled by, sustained by, and powered by prayer. As theologian Karl Barth said, “to clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.” Many …