Sometimes I think we make things too complicated.  That includes the church.  That includes both “doing” church and “being” the church.  Sometimes we are so

“Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of

What is the role of the Church Council?  Is it to manage the church or to govern the church?  Historically and in practice, most Church

“One of the key differences between innovation and adaptation is that innovation is voluntary. Adaptation is not.”  Carey Nieuwhof  https://tinyurl.com/ypjwrduk During these past 18 months,

Is your fall strategic ministry planning retreat on your calendar?  I have been working with several church recently on visioning and strategic ministry planning.  I

Every church would like more first-time guests!  How easy is your church making it for first-time guests to find your church online, details about your

Over the past few years, I have noticed a growing sense of what I refer to as congregational apathy.  The symptoms are be identified as

In this past year if we have learned nothing else, we have learned that things can change and they can change on a dime.  In

If we have learned nothing else in the past year and a half, we have learned the need to be flexible!  We have learned to

As I have repeatedly written about in this past year, the opportunities available to the church at this pivotal time in history are endless.  All

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a

Most church leaders are familiar with the life cycle of a church.  When a church is on the growing side of the life cycle, vision

“The moment you hand power over to other people, you get an explosion of curiosity, innovation, and effort.” Joshua Cooper Ramo Too often I hear

Do you ever find yourself in the wondering mindset of “what if?”  What if usually provides opportunities for what is possible.  Granted for some people

In this past year we have all likely been feeling a bit (or a whole lot) off balance, out of step, or wondering what lies

While some are ending their school year or even graduating, in the church world many are entering into a time of transition.  This is a

Just when I think it couldn’t get any crazier out there, it somehow does.  Nearly each day something happens that utterly surprises me.  In fact,

In earlier posts I have suggested that people are searching for community and purpose.  People are lonely and many are depressed.  People are looking for

You have probably heard the old saying of give people what they want, but sell them what they need.  In my experience, I have found

In my most recent publication, Being the Church in the Post Pandemic World, I coined three different typed of “gathered” people as they relate to

As we have all discovered, a new future is before us.  Our post-pandemic world has created a new reality for us.  Much of that reality

In last week’s blog, we talked about the power of the question.  Now that we have come to appreciate the power of a good question,

As leaders we sometimes think we need to have all the answers.  Maybe we feel as though others expect us as leaders to bring all

In this time of liminality, the path ahead is difficult to navigate.  The path is either completely foreign to us or is yet to have

We are beginning to see the light at the end of this long, dark pandemic tunnel.  Vaccinations are rolling out.  Positive test result statistics are

As the COVID vaccination is made available to more and more of the population, a greater number of churches are offering expanded in-person worship opportunities. 

In this post we will explore the final five relational shifts a vital post-pandemic church will need to make as outlined in my upcoming book,

Last week the first five relational shifts the post-pandemic church will need to make were introduced.  This week we continue those relational shifts with the

In my upcoming book (due out in late March), Being the Church in the Post-Pandemic World, I identified eight different game-changers for churches who want

In a quick poll recently, I asked what people thought was the top trait leaders needed to exhibit and practice in 2021.  Overwhelmingly, the top

I often wonder about the twelve disciples and their journey.  I try to imagine how they might have felt when Jesus asked them to leave

As a big Kansas City Chiefs fan, I am thrilled to see them head back to the Super Bowl again this year.  Even amidst a

In a September 23, 2020 report, Barna released some startling information.  Spiritual, emotional, and relational well-being were noted to be of concern about congregations as

When I launched my coaching practice twelve plus year ago, I was involved in some pretty intense certification processes and learning opportunities.  It was suggested

We are all human beings.  Imperfect people doing our best day in and day out to follow a perfect Savior.  On an average day, we

Endowments: Blessing or Enabling? It is no doubt that people love their church and faithfully leave behind gifts for the church with the best of

Breathe with Gratitude As we head into this week of Thanksgiving, I wonder if we can all just take a deep breath.  This past year

Would you consider your church to be a praying church?  Now, I don’t mean a church with a prayer team that prays for the joys

The Advent season will begin very soon.  This is the season where churches typically receive more guests than any other time of year.  Is your

This past weekend we re-entered the season of daylight savings.  In 1966 the Uniform Time Act was passed and created what we now refer to

Travel Advisories for the New Road While we had all hoped the pandemic would be a minor and temporary bump in the road, we all

Wikipedia defines a gear as:  A gear or cog is a rotating machine part having cut teeth or in the case of a cogwheel, inserted

Our world has changed.  Our communities have changed.  Our context has changed.  It seems like everything has changed!  How is your church responding and adjusting

Many churches moved to online worship out of necessity when buildings closed due to the pandemic.  Other churches were already online, but had to shift

While there is much to mourn in this time of pandemic, it is also a season of opportunity.  But, this season will not last forever. 

Recently I heard Mark Batterson, author of The Circle Maker, cite some interesting information.  He shared that the brain processes 100 bits of spoken information

Often times the very process we put into place to help, becomes instead a process that debilitates the organization it was designed to help!  With

What kind of experience does your first-time guest have at your church?  Does he or she leave being a promoter or a detractor?  Would he

Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Hebrews 13:2 NLT All churches are

Is your church offering online worship or online ministry? There is a huge distinction in definition let alone the resulting fruitfulness for me in the