Sermon Text: Mark 12:41-44 Sermon Excerpt Presbyterian minister Scott Hauser recently shared a list of things that many American Christians often love more than God. His list includes items many may dismiss, but perhaps should not: football, beauty, and technology. It also contains items that some may be more willing to admit often become like gods – at least for a season: the American way, attention, and safety. Whether or not your complete list would look similar to Read More …
BYODD to Worship (#1300)
BYODD (Bring Your Own Divine Device) may become the acronym of choice at many houses of worship. Jeff Brumley's recent Associated Baptist Press article, "Divine Devices or Digital Distractions," provides a hopeful, realistic look at the increased use of smart phones and tablets in worship services. Not only are fewer congregations banning the use of such devices during worship, but many are being intentional about encouraging their use for looking up Bible verses or sharing Read More …
Effective Church Leaders (#1299)
Justin Lathrop - founder of Helpstaff.me (now Vanderbloemen Search), Oaks School of Leadership, and MinistryCoach.tv - recently shared a top ten list of characteristics of effective church leaders that was created by Hillsong Church for its staff members. That list includes: being a can-do person, delegating but never dumping, having an attractive spirituality, serving with gladness, and empowering others. So What? Expectations matter. When your nominating Read More …
Fastest Growing Group (#1298)
D.J. Chuang, former Leadership Network Director for Asian-American Churches, recently co-authored an informative presentation for church leaders focused on the fastest growing group in the United States: Asian Americans. Some of the many significant facts within that document are less than 5 years ago Asians overtook Hispanics as the largest immigrant group entering the United States, by 2011 over 18 million Americans self-identified as Asian American and the number is projected to Read More …
Benefits of Church Task Forces (#1297)
In addition to standing Boards and Committees, many congregations form task forces or other temporary working groups to manage specific projects. Jenni Catron, Executive Director of Cross Point Church (Nashville, TN), recently shared a list of some of the positive outcomes of these temporary teams. Her list includes: the hierarchy is flattened, new relationships are formed, and great leaders emerge. So What? While Boards and Committees have important roles to Read More …
Making Church More Fun (#1296)
Michael Lukaszewski, CEO of The Rocket Company, recently shared a list of five ways to make church more fun. His list includes: let someone with a sense of humor write your bulletin, relax during the welcome, and involve fun people. So What? Worship should be serious, but it should also be engaging and have elements that many would label as "fun." When you think of the typical service of worship in your congregation, would you ever use the word "fun" to Read More …
Top Bible Verses of 2013 (#1295)
The most popular Bible app, YouVersion, recently released data about how people used the Bibles they provide in 2013. The top five Bible verses are Philippians 4:13 - I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Isaiah 40:31 - but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength… Matthew 6:13 - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil Joshua 1:9 - …Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged… Philippians Read More …
Sermon: A United Church (#1294)
Sermon Text: I Corinthians 12:1, 4-12, 25-27 (The Message) Sermon Excerpt: Our culture teaches us the importance of starting well each New Year. People tend to take New Year’s resolutions very seriously – at first. If you need confirmation, simply visit the gym of your choice sometime this month. Those crowded gyms never last long. While most resolutions are truly good ideas, often our motivation is inadequate to sustain our efforts. One study found that after just one Read More …
Elements of a Great Blog Post (#1293)
Paul Steinbrueck, co-founder and CEO of OurChurch.Com, recently shared 7 must have elements for a great blog post: tantalizing title, hook in the opening paragraph, connecting image, unique style and perspective, new insight, formatted for easy reading, and conversation-starting question. So What? I have been blogging since 2009, and am always interested in learning how to be more effective. While many of my posts contain these seven elements, a good number contain a Read More …
Sermon Preferences (#1292)
According to the latest survey by LifeWay Research, most Americans prefer in person preaching to a video sermon when attending worship at a church. About a third (35%) indicated they will only visit churches with services of worship that feature live sermons. Strikingly, less than 1% prefer viewing a video sermon. So What? I have only attended one service of worship that featured a video recording of a pastor's sermon. Prior to that experience, I disliked the idea. Read More …