Richard Beck, Professor and Department Chair of Psychology at Abilene Christian University, recently posted his "study guide" on the Sermon on the Mount on his blog. Beck's notes on the Beatitudes showcase his approach: Do not be egoistical or self-absorbed. (5.3) Weep over the pain in this world. (5.4) Be gentle, tender and kind. (5.5) Wake up wanting to be a better person. (5.6) Show mercy to others. (5.7) Be sincere, genuine and real. (5.8) Work for the cause of Read More …
Facebook Bible/Book Study? (#0755)
Many congregations offer fewer opportunities for adult discipleship during the summer months. With more and more adult learning and growth opportunities moving from an on campus (church building, someone's home, or a coffee shop) to either a blended (part on campus and part online) or online format, perhaps summer is the ideal time for your congregation to try something new online (or expand its existing efforts). There are so many possible ways to begin that many people get hung up Read More …
Don’t Over Communicate (#0754)
Maurilio Amorim is CEO of The A Group, a media, technology and branding firm in Brentwood, TN that consults with some of the country’s largest ministries, leading churches, and Christian publishers. Recently he blogged about the importance of not over communicating. While it is easier than ever for ministries today to communicate with constituents, it is also more essential than ever to communicate effectively. To avoid over communication Amorim suggests Segment your Read More …
The Table is . . . (#0753)
Jeremy John, coordinator of the Crabgrass Christians Initiative and one of the founders of the Occupy Church, recently blogged about his understanding of the Eucharist. He suggests: The Eucharist gathers us at a particular place, with a particular people, to eat particular food(s) together. While we believe theologically that Christ is present at the table with us, the Eucharist is more about what you do than what you believe. So What? While the Read More …
Missing Adult Sunday School (#0752)
Jon Acuff, author of Stuff Christians Like (2010) and Quitter (2011), recently blogged about missing Sunday School. More specifically, he shared about his 15 year absence from adult Sunday School. Despite a positive experience with small groups, Acuff misses "having the double feature of Sunday School and Church." So What? For many years Sunday School for all ages was a given in Protestant congregations. In recent decades the increased Read More …
A Simple Approach to Leadership (#0751)
Scott Williams has considerable leadership experience as a prison warden, lead pastor of a congregation that grew to an average weekly worship attendance of over 3,500 during his tenure, consultant, and social media guru. He is also the author of Church Diversity: Sunday the Most Segregated Day of the Week (2011 - read my review here). Recently, he shared his list of "10 Ways to Make Leadership Simple:" Believe In Yourself Believe In Others Point The Direction Read More …
Review of Bad Religion (#0750)
Meet the Author Ross Douthat is an op-ed columnist for the New York Times, and the film critic for the National Review. Previously, he was a senior editor at the Atlantic. He is the author of Privilege: Harvard and the Education of the Ruling Class (Hyperion, 2005) and Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics (2012), and the co-author (with Reihan Salam) of Grand New Party: How Republicans Can Win the Working Class and Save the American Dream (2008). Book Basics Douthat effectively Read More …
Spong on Building the Church (#0749)
Bishop John "Jack" Shelby Spong was a recent guest on Chris Yaw's ChurchNext. In this one hour interview, Spong shares how humility and acceptance are key foundations for building the church. Since "the mainline churches are in a statistical free-fall" continuing on the same course is not a realistic option. Going forward, church leaders must repackage the faith in ways that make sense for their context. More specifically, Spong says Part of our job in the Read More …
Membership & Worship Attendance (#0748)
Len Wilson just started a new job yesterday in "an executive creative and communication position" at Peachtree Presbyterian Church (Atlanta, GA), one of the largest Presbyterian congregations in America with an average worship attendance of around 7,000. Recently, he blogged about attendance and membership patterns in the United Methodist Church. In a rather comprehensive piece, he compared the ranks of the top twenty-five conferences by both membership and worship attendance. Read More …
What’s Missing in Your Church? (#0747)
Shawn Murphy, principal consultant at Achieved Strategies and co-founder of Switch and Shift, recently blogged about what is missing in organizations. Murphy suggests, "Too many of our workplaces have become a place where employees plug in, do their work, unplug and go home." In response, he offers a list of ways to improve this all too common situation: Optimism Freedom Paradox Cooperation So What? As an organization, the local church can also become a place where Read More …