Emphasize church health, not church growth

A decade ago, when I wrote The Purpose Driven Church, I predicted that church health -- not church growth -- would be the primary concern of the 21st century Church. I believe that prediction is proving itself true.

Church health is the key to church growth. All living things grow if they’re healthy. You don’t have to make them grow -- it’s just natural for living organisms. As a parent, I didn’t have to force my three children to grow. They naturally grew up. As long as I removed the hindrances, such as poor nutrition or an unsafe environment, their growth was automatic.

The same principle is true for the Church. Since the Church is a living organism, it’s natural for it to grow if it’s healthy. The Church is a body, not a business -- an organism, not an organization. It’s alive. If a church is not growing, it is dying.

What then is the secret of church health?

In a word, it’s balance!

Your body has nine different systems (circulatory, respiratory, digestive, skeletal, etc.). When these systems are all in balance, it produces health. But when your body gets out of balance, we call that “disease.” Likewise when the Body of Christ becomes unbalanced, disease occurs. Health and growth can only occur when everything is brought into balance. In Acts 2:42-47 these five facets of health are mentioned: They fellowshipped, edified each other, worshipped, ministered, and evangelized. As a result, verse 47 (NIV) says, “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

The five dimensions of a healthy church
1. Churches grow warmer through fellowship.
2. Churches grow deeper through discipleship.
3. Churches grow stronger through worship.
4. Churches grow broader through ministry.
5. Churches grow larger through evangelism.

Each of the five New Testament purposes of the church must be in equilibrium with the others for health to occur. Read Rick Warren's complete article by following this link. It is also possible to discern the attitudes and perceptions of church members in each of the five purposes plus prayer using the Church Health Survey. This process allows your church to ‘look in the mirror’ before embarking in any new direction.Your church can also utilize the Church Health Survey to discover why you are not growing, or why your church’s spirit seems to be less excited. Some churches conduct the survey annually just to be informed and ready for new opportunities.

Another tool that is similar to a complete physical exam for the human body, is the Comprehensive ChurchHealth+Plus Consultation that provides a complete assessment of the health of your church body. Conducted on-site by a professional church consultant, using tested ministry analysis tools, you receive a comprehensive evaluation of the strengths and areas of growth for your church. Specific and practical recommendations are part of the ChurchHealth+Plus Report, so you can begin taking steps immediately to strengthen your ministry effectitiveness

To schedule a Comprehensive ChurchHealth+Plus Consultation Contact William E. James and Associates

Why is the Church in North America Plateauing or Declining?

In a recent Pastor’s Weekly Briefing, H.B. London asked the question: "Why is the church in North America plateauing or declining?" Here are some samples of what pastors said.

* One reason for the decline is much of the "church" has become more concerned with growth in numbers than growth of spiritual maturity. In trying to be politically correct, much of the church has become irrelevant. What causes true growth is a refocusing on Christ as the only way of salvation, loving God, loving others, and remembering we are here to advance the kingdom, not "cleanup" the world. -- G.K.

* Church has become a place where people sit once a week and say, "What is in it for me?" The Corinthian church faced this -- they were being invaded by the culture instead of invading their culture with the Gospel. ... Sometimes, I get discouraged over the lack of involvement in the church I pastor and then my wife reminds me that Jesus only needed 12 people to turn the world upside down. ... Once people realize that it isn't about the programs, but it's about praying for a lost and dying world, we'll see the church growing healthier again! -- M.W.

* We Americans, overall, are so busy and fill ourselves up with so much that is not from the Lord that we are never hungry for Him. Our schedules would not even allow a move of God in many of our lives! -- A.V.

* A clarion call of return to sanctification is needed today like no other. Until we return, we can be slick and professional, but we will be powerless. -- L.B.

* We (ministers) too often try to do the work of the Spirit in the energy of the flesh -- we are wearing ourselves out in record numbers. Until we truly humble ourselves and pray and seek God's face, repent and turn from our wicked ways, we will not see the move of God's Holy Spirit among us that, in my view, is our only hope. Genuine repentance and a pure-hearted pursuit of God, it seems to me, is the only thing that will help us. Church growth is now a science -- but it is "not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord of hosts." "Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." -- T.L.

Barna: Believers Suffer Without Holy Spirit's Guidance, Church's Accountability

Christian pollster George Barna says many church-going believers are undergoing life changes that are prompted by their faith -- but that the majority of those changes are being prompted by things outside the church. The result, he says, is a lack of accountability at the local level and an undeveloped biblical worldview.

While millions of people are being affected by Christianity in the U.S., those numbers hide a surprising statistic, the Christian researcher says. Barna told a Trinity Broadcasting Network audience recently that information gathered by his organization -- the Barna Research Group -- shows lives are being changed, but largely from the impact of ministries outside the organized local church body.

"They're being changed, but to a large extent they're not being changed within the local church," Barna states. "They're being changed outside of the local church through other ministries that they're involved in and through other communities of believers that are not coming together as a local church as we typically know it."

The fact that these para-church groups or ministries seem to be making more of the life-changing impact than the local body, he says, suggests a change in mindset is needed. "But the reality is, I think it's in many ways a wake-up call to our churches today that we have to look differently at what 'success' is," Barna advises.

The researcher says the measure of that success must be life change through the Holy Spirit -- and not just attendance, membership numbers, weekly giving, or other material observations. He believes a majority of Christian churches measure their success in ministry by such outward signs.
He says many times, churches evaluate their effectiveness by asking themselves such questions as: How many people do we have coming? How many square feet do we take up on our property? How many programs do we have in operation? How many people are on our staff? How much money do we raise?

"The truth of the matter is that churches will look at those five things," he says, "and they'll say if those numbers are bigger now than they were a year ago, we're successful -- because we're growing."

Barna points out that Jesus Christ did not die for any of those things, but to make actual changes in people's lives. The pollster's suggestion is that bodies of believers should shift their view of ministry success to match that of Jesus -- that is, seeing the Holy Spirit change lives. But as Barna explains, huge numbers do not necessarily equate to a deepened faith.

The 'A-Word'

According to Barna, both the mega-church movement and seeker-friendly churches are experiencing a similar problem: drawing in large numbers of people, but not seeing them become rooted in a proper biblical worldview.

In his research, Barna has investigated many churches that have focused on getting community attendance to services and events. "[T]here are a lot of churches that have learned how to attract people, but they haven't necessarily learned how to invite the Holy Spirit in to see all those people transformed," he tells TBN.

And transformation of people and their lifestyles by the Holy Spirit, he says, often comes through accountability to leaders and role models in the church. He says a lack of accountability for how one lives and what one believes is the primary obstacle that keeps many people from being grounded in Christianity. Having proper lifestyle models to follow is essential for gaining a proper biblical worldview, he adds.

"Accountability is the 'A-word,'" Barna says. "Nobody wants to talk about it because this is tough stuff." It is tough, he says, because it involves being vulnerable.

"This is where believers need to have a tight enough relationship with each other and trust the Lord enough and really be part of that community of faith that [they are] willing ... to be challenged by brothers and sisters in the faith and to recognize that [they are] not perfect, not completely holy," he says. Believers, he adds, need to be willing to admit they need others to help them "focus on the things that matter."

Barna acknowledges that accountability is not a popular concept -- but it must be faced by the Church, he says, if it is to return to being effective "salt and light" in society.

(Source: Agapepress)

Five Princilpes for Good Relationships With Your Church

Jimmy Draper says that a good relationship is characterized by thoughtfulness, sensitivity, loyalty, confidentiality, and kindness (Eph. 4:32). A pastor can have deep convictions and preach firmly without being brutal. Jesus' example demonstrates that pastors earn their right to lead by being a servant. Here are five things a pastor can do to show that he cares about his people.

Respond to Your Critics without Being Controlled by Them

In ministry, criticism is inevitable and often leads to defensiveness. The challenge is to develop effective relationships with critics. Try these five biblical responses.

9 Communication Skills that Make You Most Believable

According to Bert Decker, author of Communicating with Bold Assurance and Preaching with Bold Assurance, "You must be believed to be heard, and your believability doesn't come from your content! People buy into your ideas, your message, and your persuasion at an almost unconscious level - by gauging your level of confidence and openness. As a speaker, we build trust by physical cues (behavior) that often have nothing to do with our message." Learn the three key issues of believability and the nine vital communication skills that make you most believable.

The Resurrection of Christ and the Reality of the Gospel

The pattern of the Christian year is an exercise of the Church's discipline. The annual celebrations of Christmas and Resurrection Day force the Church to ponder again the truths of Christ's incarnation and resurrection.

Christians understand that every Lord's Day is Resurrection Day, but this Sunday is the festival which draws all Christians face to face with the empty tomb and the truth of the resurrected Lord.

Resurrection Sunday is the central event in the church year--the climax of worship, expectation, and celebration. This celebration is also an acid test of the Church's faithfulness and conviction.

The secular world has done its best to make a mess of Christmas, but it has largely ignored our celebration of the Resurrection. Where commercialism intrudes, it comes in the forms of eggs and chicks and rabbits--none of which claim any connection with the Resurrection. The fact is, the secular world will attempt to domesticate, commercialize, and tame the babe in the manger--but it will run at breakneck speed from the cross and the empty tomb. To read the rest of R. Albert Mohler, Jr's March 24th article go here.

EASTER '05: JESUS IS ALIVE!

Visit the Interactive Passion History for avirtual trip to Calvary. Choose a path, assume a fictional identity as a Bibletime person and interact with historical or fictional characters on this journey, recalling events surrounding the suffering, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. IPH has scriptural references so visitors can read the Biblical account. Rev. Guy Marquardt, an ordained pastor of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and a Brazilian missionary, is the author of this inspirational Web site.

Atheists are holding their annual convention on Easter weekend

American Atheists are holding their annual convention in Philadelphia, beginning Good Friday, the day Christ died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. The atheist convention will last until Easter Sunday, the day Christ rose from the grave in defeat of death. It is extremely significant that the atheists begin their convention about the hour Christ died on the cross and end it about the time of His Resurrection. The darkest hours for humanity are the hours of glory for those who hate God. As the light of the Lord shines in victory on Sunday, the atheists will disband.

What is the main preaching point of the atheists at this--and for that matter, all--of their media events and conventions? They state that truth is relative and that each man must decide for himself what is right and what is wrong. Satanists make that same statement!

According to Aleister Crowley, who was the founder of the modern Ordo Templi Orientis and also the man who called himself "the Beast 666" of Revelation, atheists are correct. His Great Law of Thelema proclaimed in his Book of the Law is "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." The basic tenet of atheism, secularism and Satanism are identical – that each individual should "do as he or she pleases." The ultimate result of this philosophy is either anarchy or totalitarianism.

In the end, all human beings will bow before Christ. There is only one question, will the bow be to honor Him or will the bow be in fear of the Judgment they will receive because of their unpardoned sin?

Please join me in prayer that every atheist and secularist who raves against our Lord this weekend will be touched by the truth of our Lord, that their lives will be changed and that they will come to serve Him.

This weekend should be about one thing only ... the truth of the Resurrection ....

What's Driving Today's Innovations?

If necessity is the mother of invention, what "necessities" are driving today's proliferating innovations in church life?

"Although the next church's shape is not yet obvious, the forces that give it shape are," writes Reggie McNeal in The Present Future. And while the innovations in this issue of Leadership may not suit your church, if McNeal is correct, the forces that have inspired these innovations are already shaping the people in your pews. What are these underlying forces?

Christianity Today asked four cultural analysts:

• Reggie McNeal is director of the Leadership Development Team for the South Carolina Baptist Convention.
• Sally Morganthaler is founder of Sacramentis.com and a leader in worship renewal.
• Lyle Schaller is a prolific author and church consultant.
• Leonard Sweet is a futurist and dean of the Theological School at Drew University.

Gleaning our conversations with these cultural exegetes, four forces were clearly identified. Read to complete article.

It is a sin to be good if God has called us to be great

Inspired by Jim Collins' bestselling book, "Good to Great," Dr. Rainer endeavored to adapt similar research to better understand churches in his latest book, "Breakout Churches."

Christians refer to Matthew 28:18-20 as the Great Commission, not the Good Commission. Jesus himself said that the words we read in Matthew 22:37 and 39 are the Great Commandments, not the Good Commandments. And the apostle Paul did not call love something that is good; instead, he said "the greatest of these is love" (1 Cor. 13: 13, emphasis added).

The power of seeking to be great rather than good became clear when I read Jim Collins's book "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap . . . and Others Don't." Collins began with the opening line: "Good is the enemy of great.

I want to share with you some of our findings in what turned out to be our most laborious research project to date. Follow this link for the complete article.

Resources for Your Easter Celebration

We've gathered an index of 12 Free Easter Sermons and 8 Free Worship Scripts to help you prepare to celebrate the Resurrection. The latest sermon added is Jesus, Our Passover Lamb. Andy Cook does a great job in this sermon of helping modern listeners understand the significance of the Passover lamb in it's first century context while applying it to Easter. Don't miss the great suggested object lesson and powerful illustrations.

The latest worship script added is Lamb of God, a dramatic reading for Easter (2-page PDF). It's free - compliments of Matt Tullos, editor of Let's Worship Magazine.

More Pastors Use Group Approach, Multimedia Presentation In Worship Planning

Many worshipers see it as the loneliest part of a minister's job: crafting a sermon alone, in the wee hours, the only aids a Bible and some reference books before presenting the fully formed product to the congregation the next day.

But increasingly, that view of sermon-writing is outdated. At a growing number of churches, the pastor's message is the painstaking work of a committee -- a panel of church staff and congregants who meet weekly to suggest sermon topics, critique the minister's prose and examine how his or her preaching will mesh with other elements of the service.

One goal of these worship-planning teams is to ensure that the minister's words will resonate with all segments of a demographically diverse congregation. Often, the team's job is to turn the sermon into a multimedia experience, with specialists in music, drama and video technology making contributions that become just as important as the pastor's writing.

"It's happening more and more as they will all bring different gifts to the table," said Randel Everett, president of the John Leland Center for Theological Studies, a Baptist-affiliated seminary in Arlington.

Everett compares the trend to the way that TV programs built around a lead character gradually have been replaced by shows with ensemble casts. He said that he has noticed the movement toward collaborative sermons for more than a decade but that it has become prevalent in the last three years. To read the complete Washington Post article follow this link.

State Governments Increasingly Regulate Church Potlucks.

Christianity Today: U.S. churches are facing more and more legal hurdles to holding potlucks.
In Minnesota, potlucks are exempt from food safety inspections only if food is not prepared in the kitchen. In Wisconsin, a church that holds more than 12 public food events a year may be required to obtain a restaurant license.

Indiana inadvertently banned potlucks this year when a 2001 law took effect requiring nonprofit groups to hire certified food handlers.

Similar legislation in Illinois was met with widespread protest from churches. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich eventually signed a new law exempting all potluck dinners from state and local health regulations, saying that potlucks "are a long-standing tradition that do not warrant government intrusion." Follow this link to read the complete article.

Dr. John C. Maxwell Comments on Good Thinking

If you watched the swimming events at the 2004 Olympics last summer, you probably observed the incredible focus the medalists demonstrated. Sure, they're strong and fast. But when hundredths - maybe even thousandths - of a second are all that separate the winners from the losers, it's obvious that something besides strength and speed is at work.

A comment by Flip Darr, a former collegiate swimming coach who played a part in training eight Olympic medalists, sheds some light on what that critical ingredient might be. "I felt in my coaching career that if I would work on [the swimmers'] head[s], their bodies would come along," he said. "A lot of coaches work on their bodies and then at the last moment try to do their heads. The thing is, if they are working with their heads all the time, and working with their head over the body, mind over matter, they will have more confidence when they walk up to the block."

What a great illustration of the value of good thinking. Athletic ability is important, but preparing for the biggest race of one's life is as much mental as it is physical - if not more so. As Bill MacCartney, the former head football coach at the University of Colorado, once told me, "Mental is to physical what four is to one."

That's a powerful argument in the case for good thinking - on the football field, as well as in your office at work. The specific thoughts that increase your effectiveness as a leader might not be the same as those required for an Olympic medal, but the overall commitment to thinking is identical. Follow this link to read the complete article.

How Churches Can Benefit from a Web Site

The power of a Web site to communicate an organization's identity is significant. Churches fail to see the opportunities to further their identity and vision through their Web site. Just like a person can walk into a sanctuary for worship and draw conclusions, the same can be said for a Web site. Strong first impressions do make a difference; make sure you give deliberate effort to build your identity online. Learn more. . .

The Battle for Latino Souls

Pentecostal churches are using savvy marketing to attract traditionally Catholic Hispanics. A holy struggle in Chicago. They are using tools, such as the Spanish version of The Purpose Driven Life, to attractare many people. To read the Newsweek article follow this link.

Easter: What on earth am I here for?

The unchurched visiting your congregation this Easter will be grappling with the most fundamental question any of us can ask about life: “What on earth am I here for?" This will be your opportunity to tell them that nothing matters more than knowing God’s purpose for their lives and nothing can compensate for not knowing it -- not success, wealth, fame, or pleasure. We need to teach that, without purpose, life is motion without meaning, activity without direction, and events without reason. But, it’s never too late to discover our God-ordained purpose.

The New Testament teaches that God created you for five purposes. They’re listed in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, practiced by the first Christians, modeled by Jesus, and explained by Paul. Follow this link to read the rest of Rick Warren's article.

A Leader's Authority by Dan Reiland “The Pastor’s Coach”

Leaders deal in the realm of authority - it's the currency with which we get things done. We prefer the word "influence." It is a better term. It more accurately describes the innate function of leadership. It communicates what we are about better than "authority," but at the end of the day if a leader can't handle authority, he or she can't lead.

Leaders often struggle with handling authority. Some leaders take advantage of their authority, others barely act on it. Some leaders over-step their authority, others hide behind it. The wisest of leaders understand that the authority wasn't theirs in the first place and steward it with wisdom, grace and strength of character.

Where does your authority come from? Your answer to that question makes a difference. What you believe about the source of your authority shapes how you handle your authority. Follow this link for the rest of the article.

Need Volunteers? Don't Ask!

Volunteering in the local church. Is there any other role that could be as fulfilling? Is there any profession in which an individual could make a bigger difference than as a volunteer in the local church? Could people possibly feel more significant than when they’re worshiping God through acts of service?

You know the feeling, don’t you? Even if you’re now paid as a staff member or pastor in a local church, you probably remember the fulfillment you felt as a volunteer. You recall the long hours—and unexplainable joy—that went with this experience.

As leaders, we work with volunteers who have made huge sacrifices to be on our teams. They already have “normal” jobs. Some of them stand at the assembly line in a factory every day, 10 hours a day, five or six days a week. By the time the week is over, they’re wiped out. But the assembly line doesn’t make them soar; it’s not what they live for. No, they live for Saturday afternoons when they arrive at the church to begin sorting the bulletins for the evening service. They live to be with and pray with their team, to greet the guests as they arrive, to help newcomers who seem a little disoriented. That’s what gives them a sense of purpose; it’s what makes their hearts beat fast! Follow this link for the rest of the article.

Seven Mistakes of Emerging Leaders

Emerging Leaders face many challenges. They are not only learning the ropes, but also coming to terms with who they really are. At the same time they often have to come under leadership which is full of demands and eccentricities. Glyn Barrett discusses 7 mistakes that are common to emerging leaders. Follow this link for the rest of the article.

More People Use Christian Media Than Attend Church

In our media-drenched society, people have become accustomed to experiencing and interpreting reality through the mass media. A new Barna survey shows that the faith realm is no different. More Americans currently receive religious information, training and experiences through the media than through involvement with a local church.

The reshaping of Americans’ lives is evident in various facets of their life, including the spiritual dimension. The new nationwide survey conducted by The Barna Group indicates that while 56% of adults attend church services in a typical month, a much larger percentage is exposed to religious information and experiences through various forms of media. Radio and television are the most popular Christian media, but faith-related Internet sites as well as religious magazines, newspapers and books also enjoy significant exposure. Although these religious media are a supplement to a church experience for most people, millions of individuals rely upon one or more of these media as their primary source of spiritual input.

Discover the reach of these media among Christians and non-Christians alike by reading this week’s free report.

Mentoring That Produces Mentors

Rick Lowery says from a handful of hungry men, we've developed several "generations" of leaders.

Dave Roadcup invited six seniors at Ozark Bible College to join him in a year-long discipling endeavor. That was in 1978. I was one of the six. At that stage in my education, I had learned about how to preach and teach, but my year with Dave taught me how to love.

His classroom was everyday life. Dave took us with him when he spoke at churches and when he taught in the classroom. Dave also made sure we learned how a godly man lives. Dave, his wife, and their children made sure the door to their home was always open.

We spent many evenings in their living room, talking and eating like family. In the process, we learned what a godly home looks like—without ever seeing a lesson plan. Follow this link to read the full article.

Searching For St. Patrick

Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, seasoned speaker and author,writes Will the Real St. Patrick Please Stand Up?[1], with interesting historical background on the saint for whom this holiday (March 17) is named.

Dr. Wilson's true tale begins, "Terrified the Irish raiders would spot him, the youth hid at wood's edge as he watched eager flames consume his family's house. Suddenly powerful hands jerked his arms behind him. Coarse ropes burned his wrists. He and dozens of others were herded to boats grounded in the cove. He was now a slave."

The story moves to Wilson's conclusion, "As an old man, Patrick looked back in awe. 'Those who never had a knowledge of God but worshipped idols and things impure, have now become a people of the Lord, sons of God. 'The old saint died in his beloved Ireland, March 17th, about 460 A.D. The land which once enslaved him, he had set free."

Read the fullstory; then be sure to check out Dr. Wilson's popular JesusWalk[2]email Bible studies, now beginning a new series, Disciple Lessons from Philippians[3]; sign up at the JesusWalk website.

If you're still "thinking green," find other St. Patrick's Day resources at ChristianityToday.com[4] --ecards, articles, links and resources about the holiday's roots. You might also want to check out Saint Pat and Saint Peg!?![5], a devo by Peggie, INTERNET FOR CHRISTIANS's editor.

Links in this story
[1] http://www.joyfulheart.com/holiday/pat.htm
[2] http://www.jesuswalk.com/
[3] http://www.jesuswalk.com/philippians/
[4] http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/stpatricks/
[5] http://www.peggiesplace.com/booster248.htm

Privacy, Health Information And Your Church's Website And eMail Prayer List

Recently, Heal Your Church Website talked about an issue[1] that any church with a web presence needs to note: online privacy as it relates to your website. In particular, is your church website (or prayer email list, or any other online effort) operating safely within privacy regulations pertaining to health information?

It may seem like a minor issue, but it's worth keeping in mind, especially if you have a prayer-request forum or mailing list. And while HYCW refers specifically to HIPAA[2] regulations, this is also a good reminder to consider general privacy concerns in all of your church's online endeavor.

Whether it's posting a church member's name or email address on a public site or sharing private health concerns over a prayer message board, it's best to play it safe whenever personal information is involved. (And if you've not given thought to a privacy policy[3] for your site, now's a good time to consider that as well.)

Links in this story
[1] http://www.healyourchurchwebsite.com/archives/001455.php
[2] http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/
[3] http://www.webwritingthatworks.com/CPATTERNprivacy.htm

Leaders admit top 5 weaknesses

Dr. Thom S. Rainer and his research staff didn't know what type of response they would get to the question: "What do you feel your greatest weaknesses are in the area of leadership?"

Would the leaders of effective churches recognize weaknesses? Would they admit them? Would they be reticent to share their weaknesses if they did admit them?

Somewhat to our surprise, not only did these leaders recognize and admit their mistakes, but they were happy to share their weaknesses with us. If anything, our sense of their comments was that they were too hard on themselves. Sometimes we could not get them to stop talking about their deficiencies.

A majority of the leaders of the churches that reach the unchurched listed 12 weaknesses. The most frequently mentioned weakness may surprise some people, but the fact that it was at the top of the list did not surprise the leaders we interviewed. Let us examine the first five weaknesses mentioned among these effective leaders.

• Weakness #1: Pastoral Ministry
• Weakness #2: Lack of Patience
• Weakness #3: Dealing with Staff
• Weakness #4: Dealing with Criticism
• Weakness #5: Always Task Driven

To read the full article follow this link.

Thom S. Rainer, Ph.D., is the president of Church Central Associates LLC and is founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Considered one of the leading experts on the church today, he is the author or co-author of 16 books on the church and has written articles or reviews for more than 30 publications.

Starting a Video Venue

What is a Video Venue you ask?

It's an environment that's warm, friendly and intimate. It's a place where people can go to get connected. It's a place that gives people the feel of a small church while still providing all of the specialized programs and advantages of a large church.

As churches continue to grow, people can somehow find themselves "lost in the crowd," when what they really need to do is to find and connect with others like themselves. People like the amenities that large churches offer, but often feel a lack of intimacy that can accompany them. So what we have done at North Coast is to create a "small church environment" in a large church setting. Why Start a Video Venue? Do you have a space issue? Growing out of your sanctuary before you have a chance to build? Trying to reach different personalities and age groups? Need help growing your church? Problems with people wanting different styles of worship music? Trying to bridge cultural gaps?

If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, then you are facing some of the challenges that North Coast Church have faced. And this is where the Video Venue comes in. To read the rest of the article follow this link.

Study results show a huge gap between large and small churches in the use of technology

Research results released for the first time in the January/February edition of Facts & Trends magazine show nine out of 10 Protestant clergy have Internet access they can use for church business, but only about half of all Protestant churches maintain a Web site.

The study, conducted by Ellison Research among a representative sample of 700 Protestant church ministers nationwide, queried pastors about their current use of technology, as well as how technology fits into the near-term future of their church’s ministry. The study shows some very large gaps in technology reliance according to the size of churches.

Ninety-one percent of Protestant clergy have Internet access they can use for church business (either at the church or personally). The vast majority of all types of pastors (e.g. different ages, different church sizes, different denominations) have Internet access.

However, only 52% say their church maintains a Web site of any kind. This varies dramatically by church size: 88% of larger churches (those with 200 or more people attending worship services during a typical weekend) have a Web site, compared to 60% of mid-size churches (100 to 199 people in worship each weekend), and just 28% of small churches.

The presence of a church Web site also varies by the pastor’s age. Among ministers under 60 years old, 56% are at a church with a Web site; among pastors 60 or older, just 35% are leading a church with a Web site.

While nine out of 10 ministers are online, only a third of those online have a content filter at the church. (A content filter makes it difficult or impossible to access objectionable sites on the Internet.) Baptist and Pentecostal churches are most likely to have a content filter of some type, while Methodist churches are least likely to employ a content filter.

The study also asked ministers to rate the importance of a number of different uses of technology in their church’s ministry over the next five years, using a scale of 1 (not at all important) to 5 (extremely important). The importance of these various types of technology varies some by denomination, but much more so by the size of the church. To read the complete report follow this link.

Renew the Purpose of your Church this Easter Season

Did you know that there are now tens of thousands of purpose-driven churches around the world? In fact, there are now more purpose-driven churches outside the United States than there are inside. These churches intentionally focus equally on all five of the New Testament purposes of the church - worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism.

As these churches have become purpose-driven, it's been exciting to see those who had lost their zeal become revitalized. It's been exciting to see churches re-discover their unique mission for the world. It's exciting to find churches breaking through growth barriers, not because of gimmicks that attract believers from other congregations, but because they are healthy and balanced.

Maybe you've been wondering if the Purpose Driven Church principles are for your church. You may have heard about it for years, but have decided to pick and choose a few concepts here and there, without really considering how it all works together. Or maybe your church is fully committed to the purpose-driven principles and are looking to become even more effective.

Whatever your opportunity to grow, attend the Purpose-Driven Church Conference, May 17-20 at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. You'll learn from Rick Warren and pastors of purpose-driven churches from around the world. You'll hear about the latest innovations that Saddleback Church is making to be more effective - including how the church has doubled its small groups, grown by 25% in the last two years and how it is mobilizing its members for the global PEACE plan.

Exceed Their Expectations This Easter!

Many are undoubtedly gearing up for another Easter weekend. For most churches, this means a large influx of the "Two-A-Years". You know, the people that come to church two times a year: Christmas and Easter.

Easter is one of those two times a year that a very large chunk of our population attends a church service out of obligation (perceived), motivation (with friend or visiting relative) or tradition (annual check mark on the to-do list).

We have these two free-passes to get a huge amount of people from our communities in our doors with very little effort. It's one of those very, very rare times when they come to church, so we better make the most of their experience by exceeding their expectations.

We must - it is not an option - put our very best into making the most powerful and welcoming first impression. In a very real way, these two opportunities provide us with a potential entrance ramp into the freeways of their lives. We must not be stalled on the access road or we'll miss our chance.

Easter Resource List 2005!! In order to help your church find just the right background, video clip, illustration, software, hardware or service, I've asked partners of Anthony Coppedge Consulting to provide pictures and descriptions of the things they think will help your church meet the rigorous production season of Easter.

You can see the entire list online by visiting Anthony Coppedge website. Or, you can right-click on the link below, choose "save target as" and print out the list from the downloadable PDF file.

10 Factors to Consider Before Leaving Your Church

Pastor, leaving a ministry setting is often fraught with mixed emotions, varying opinions, and spiritual doubts. Here are ten factors to consider when you think it might be time to go. You may also want to pass this along to a fellow pastor wrestling with this important decision. To read this article go here.

PLEASE NOTE: No one of these factors, taken alone, should cause you to leave a place where God has called you to serve. The Holy Spirit of God may overrule every suggestion in this article and instruct you to stay just where you are. Do your best to determine prayerfully the will of God and follow His plan. These suggestions may help you determine what He wants you to do.

More than Sitting in the Pew

Someone once said, “Making the simple profound is not creative, but making the profound simple is.” I am constantly asked, “How can we find workers in the church?” It is by far the most frequently asked question I have heard in my years as a pastor, conference staff person, seminar leader, and consultant. There isn’t another question that is even close to being second. Simply stated, people are too busy for busy-work. If you want to claim the time of busy people, you have to offer them something meaningful to do that has the potential to make a difference in the Kingdom and in the lives of people. I believe talented people want to do more than sit in the pew. We just have to find significant things for them to do.

As Christians, we are not called to privilege but to serve. “After that he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him”(John 13:5). As clergy, we aren’t called to hang a shingle but to be servants. This concept is foreign to the way the world thinks. Have you ever asked a child, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Have you ever heard a child respond, “I want to be a servant.” Yet Jesus calls us to be servant leaders. In fact, a servant leader will earn the right to lead by serving. To read the rest of the article follow this link.

Join The Center For Reclaiming America

The CENTER FOR RECLAIMING AMERICA was founded in 1996 by Dr. D. James Kennedy, as an outreach of Coral Ridge Ministries for the purpose of mobilizing America’s Christians at the grassroots level.

In July 2004, the CENTER introduced Dr. Gary Cass, a former Salt & Light Award winner, as its new Executive Director. As an ordained minister and former elected school board member, Gary brings a wealth of ministerial experience and political knowledge to the CENTER.

Since its founding, the CENTER has established a nationwide e-mail network of more than 500,000 concerned Christians. The CENTER provides non-partisan, non-denominational information, training, and support; enabling those interested to positively affect the culture and renew the vision of our Founding Fathers.

As a means to accomplish this mission, the CENTER focuses on five key fronts of the modern-day culture war: (1) Religious Liberties, (2) the Sanctity of Life, (3) the Homosexual Agenda, (4) Pornography, and (5) Promoting Creationism. The CENTER offers many resources to inform, equip, motivate, and support the endeavors of the Christian activist, including:News Stories provide our constituents with up-to-date and accurate information so that they can stay abreast of current issues.

CENTER ALERTS provide regular information to the CENTER’s rapidly growing E-Army. With more than 500,000 electronic mail recipients, the CENTER can mobilize dedicated Christians to take necessary and appropriate action at a moment’s notice.

Grassroots Training educates and enables Christians to make a positive impact in their communities. Sign up to become a Community Leader and receive monthly updates, ideas highlighting successfully implemented strategies, and encouragement. (http://www.reclaimamerica.org/PAGES/CAMPAIGNS/CommLeader/CommLeader.asp)

LANDING YOUR THOUGHTS By Dr. John C. Maxwell

Years ago, a friend of mine looked at me in a meeting and made a statement that I've never forgotten. "John," he said, "ideas are like soap bubbles floating in the air close to jagged rocks on a windy day."

What a vivid picture of how incredibly frail thoughts and ideas really are! Think about it. How many times during the day does a thought pop into your head that makes you stop and say, "I really need to write that down - that's a great idea"? Now, how many of those thoughts do you actually remember and act upon? Unless you've made an intentional effort to record your ideas as they come, I'm guessing the first number is far greater than the second.

In my book, Thinking for a Change, I talk about the importance of "landing your thoughts." I compare this process to landing an airplane. What is the first thing you do when the flight attendant announces that your plane has begun its descent? You fasten your seatbelt because you realize you could be hitting the runway hard and you don't want to get hurt.

Now, if you were really afraid of a bumpy landing, you could beg the flight attendant not to let the pilot land the plane. But, in addition to attracting unwanted attention from airline security, that would defeat the whole point of being on the airplane, which is to get you to your final destination. So you fasten your seatbelt, grit your teeth and prepare for impact.The same principle applies to landing a thought. Any idea that remains only an idea doesn't make a great impact.

The real power of an idea comes when it goes from abstraction to application. And that's where seatbelts (and perhaps some teeth-gritting) are needed. When you land a thought - either by writing it down so you can study it later or by expressing it out loud to the people around you - you're bound to get all sorts of responses. To read the complete article follow this link

Church Building in the 21st Century!

84% of our church customers saytheir attendance has increased since moving their services into Regal venues.

Regal CineMeetings & Events provides semi-permanent worship facilities for new, growing and expanding churches. Regal CineMeetings & Events is part of Regal Entertainment Group, which owns more than 600 movie theatre locations nationwide.

Church in a movie theatre? You bet!

Regal theatres provide churches with numerous advantages over traditional temporary venues like hotels and schools. For example, we offer:

• The same space every week, providing comfort, continuity and convenience
• Accommodations for congregations from 50 to 500 members
• Familiar, easily accessible community locations
• Auditoriums for adult services, children’s services and nurseries
• Space for fellowship and refreshments
• Plentiful parking
• State-of-the art audio visual
• Comfortable seating
• Flexible leases
• Affordable fees
  

Eighty- four percent (84%) of customers surveyed say their attendance has increased since moving their services into our theatres. But don’t take our word for it, click here to read a few success stories from our happy and growing church customers. Regal enjoys helping churches grow their congregations and attract new members. With Regal, new and growing church congregations can have an inspirational worship experience while enjoying the convenience and comfort of a state-of-the-art facility in a cost-effective, low-maintenance space that is conducive to a variety of worship styles and needs.

For more information about starting, growing or expanding your church in a Regal Entertainment Group theatre, please call us today at 1-866-305-MEET (6338) or follow this link for more information and easy contact options. Corey Livingston, Director of Marketing Regal CineMeetings & Events

What if we replace competition with cooperation?

Fishermen say you never need a top for a crab basket. If one crab starts to climb up the sides of the basket, the other crabs will reach up and pull it back down. There are people who act a lot like crabs.

In a competitive world it is easier to weep with those who weep than it is to rejoice with those who rejoice. We can sympathize with failure better than we can congratulate success. We are jealous of those who rise too high and succeed too quickly. We want to pull them back in the bucket where they belong.

What if we replaced the spirit of competition with the spirit of cooperation? What if people helped each other climb as high as they can without yielding to the temptation to cut them down? What if service became our motto instead of selfishness? What kind of world would we have? So the next time you see someone doing well, cheer them on instead of holding them back. After all, people were not made to live like crabs.

By Howard Olds, Brentwood United Methodist Church

A First for the Internet

Why do so few Christians use the Internet for evangelism? The Internet Evangelism Coalition is endorsing a worldwide focus day in 2005, to help churches and Christian groups understand the outreach potential that the Web offers them.

Internet Evangelism Day is on 24 April 2005. Many churches and other Christian organizations are planning a slot in their programs that day to focus on web outreach. Downloadable resources are available on the IE Day website for this purpose: www.InternetEvangelismDay.com

Dr Sterling Huston, chair of the Internet Evangelism Coalition, says, “The Internet offers churches, Christian organizations and individuals an amazing and rapidly expanding opportunity to share the ‘Good News’ of the gospel with a world in need. I pray that Internet Evangelism Day will inspire many more to utilize this dynamic media to extend and enlarge their witness for Christ.”

This is purely a ‘web evangelism awareness day’ – there is no fund-raising element. Many churches and other Christian groups are already planning to include a short program within church services and other meetings, on or near 24 April.

“Our church just started a website and we think that this will give us an opportunity to take it to another level,” says a church in St Louis, Missouri.

The team hopes for a range of outcomes. High on their list is that churches will create effective websites which can reach out into the community, rather than just be an online noticeboard for members. “It’s an exciting challenge,” says IE Day Co-ordinator Tony Whittaker. “The potential of the Web is enormous.”

Other leaders share his enthusiasm. “The Internet is one of the most key tools that God has given us in the church today,” writes George Verwer, founder of Operation Mobilization.
“I am excited to see how God will reveal Himself in mighty ways through the uniqueness of cyberspace,” comments Dr. David Tucker of Trans World Radio.

IE Day is endorsed internationally by a wide range of organizations and denominations. For more news of Internet Evangelism Day, visit www.InternetEvangelismDay.com