I don't remember when I was last in a Radio Shack. I do know it has been well over a decade since I last shopped there. As such, I am not in position to know just how significantly they have evolved to meet the changing demands of the marketplace. I did, however, enjoy watching their Goodbye '80s commercial during the Super Bowl. So What? As I reflected on this commercial, I couldn't help but reflect on the parallels between the mainline/oldline/sideline church and Radio Read More …
Starting Well (#1325)
On his first day as the CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella sent an e-mail to all employees that asked and answered several key questions: Who am I? Why am I here? Why are we here? What do we do next? So What? Starting well is essential whether leading a multi-billion dollar business, a congregation, or a team/group/committee. Nadella's questions are ones that church leaders need to address. While doing so on the first day of a new position may not always be possible, doing Read More …
Marketing, Mission & Money (#1324)
Last weekend First Congregational Church (Winter Park, FL) welcomed Cameron Trimble and Michael Piazza of the Center for Progressive Renewal. They led a workshop for leaders from churches across Florida focused on marketing, mission and money - three of the most challenging issues facing the church today. While I was unable to attend, I benefited from it by reading some of the quotes Sarah Lund, Regional Minister of the Western Region of the Florida Conference of the United Church of Read More …
It’s Time to Contribute (#1323)
Aaron Loy, founding pastor of Mosaic Lincoln (Lincoln, NE), recently blogged about some of the really bad reasons people use to justify leaving a church. In explaining his first reason, "I'm not being fed," Loy reminds readers that church should not be primarily about being a religious consumer. To leave a church because you’re not getting "enough" is a cop out. Your primary call in the church is to contribute, not just to consume. As a Christian, you shouldn’t require spoon-feeding for Read More …
Sermon: An Extravagant Welcome (#1322)
Sermon Text: Hebrews 13:2 Sermon Excerpt A few weeks ago at the Board of Church Life and Growth, Sheila invited those present to participate in an imaginative activity. Then, a few days ago, she led the deacons through a similar exercise. Both groups were tasked with imagining an ideal worship experience. Each person wrote down what he or she envisioned, and then we shared our thoughts with the group. Most of the ideas focused on the worship service itself. People Read More …
A Unique Valentine’s Weekend (#1321)
Back in the summer of 2012, I invited Diana Butler Bass to spend some time at Naples United Church of Christ in February 2014. After eighteen months of planning by a great team, we are now ready for an unforgettable Valentine's Day and weekend. In the News Yesterday, the Collier Citizen ran an article by Mollie Page. Page interviewed Butler Bass about our event. Page writes: She’s a voice for theological sanity in an uncertain world. Religious historian Diana Butler Bass is Read More …
Too Many Clergy? (#1320)
How many clergy are too many? I don't have an answer, but do think the question is important to discuss at all levels of the church. I have heard from several colleagues and from members of search committees just how different the search process has become in recent years. Perhaps this is why (or at least a part of the reason why): In the 1950s there were roughly the same number of ministers as there were U.S. churches. Now there are almost two ministers for every church, according Read More …
Online Church Shopping (#1319)
David Odom, Executive Director of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School, recently blogged about the increasing tendency of shoppers, including church shoppers, to shop online. When it comes to those who are looking for a church, Odom notes that they "frequently visit the congregation online by watching services, reading about services and asking questions." This activity is a part of the screening process many now use in making a decision about whether or not to attend Read More …
Pastoral Longevity & Growing Churches (#1318)
Charles Arn, President of Church Growth Inc., has written extensively on the topic of church growth. One such article, written for Wesley Seminary's Wesley Connect site, focuses on the link between pastoral longevity and church growth. Multiple studies have found that the vast majority of growing churches are led by pastors who have been serving in their current role for five years or longer. Arn's own informal study of the largest 25 Wesleyan churches revealed an Read More …
The Great Decline (#1317)
Tobin Grant, political science professor at Southern Illinois University and associate editor of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, recently shared a graph that illustrates what his research suggests has happened to religion in America over the last 60 years. Grant terms this period "The Great Decline," due to the significant decline in religiosity. The Graph The graph is based on the results of Grant's analysis of existing data sets. More specifically: We start with Read More …