"How can skillful pastors who long for the resurrection power of God to be manifest in their churches learn to patiently guide a congregation through all the necessary stages of change involved in a turn around?"Ron Crandall - Turnaround Churches and BeyondParticularly, what role does … [Read more...]
The Church has left the Building
October 29, 2008 By 2 Comments
One of the blogs I read (Fierce Grace) decided to do something entirely different on a Sunday morning. Cancel the service. Serve the neighborhood. Read about it at The Church Has Left the Building. I have often mentioned that some churches can do this. I can't imagine Mars Hill or Seacoast … [Read more...]
Presbyterian Transformational Conference Links
October 16, 2008 By 1 Comment
This afternoon, I was preparing an email about the Tampa conference for Presbyterian pastors. I've put an entire link summary here of related links, including downloadable slide shows I used for that conference. Prayer Walking And Growing The Church PC USA Transformational Pastors … [Read more...]
How One Church Re-engaged the Neighborhood
September 26, 2008 By 9 Comments
What can we do to survive? Thus began a conversation ten years ago with a dying church in a transitional neighborhood.The church invited me to do some Evangelism Consulting with them about launching a new worship service.That topic was the buzz of the time and the church leaders simply … [Read more...]
Leaving Egypt and Not Liking it
September 23, 2008 By Leave a Comment
This coming week, I'll have the opportunity and privilege to work with pastors on the subject of church transformation (see Transformation Pastor’s Conference). Listening to other pastors During this past month, I've talked with several pastors who are in such contexts. Dying churches in … [Read more...]
Friday Finds
August 29, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Tim Schraeder writes "June 22 was a sad day at Park Community Church, we lost a dearly beloved friend ... our weekly program." (Thanks to Church Marketing Sucks writing Death to the Church Bulletin)Chris Forbes writes: Diary of an Expensive Church Planting Marketing Outreach Flop. He … [Read more...]
Is Neighborhood Outreach Evangelism?
August 28, 2008 By 8 Comments
In the course of my consulting and speaking at evangelism training workshops, I've encountered many churches that have very active outreach and community service programs:After school tutoring Shut in or Prisoner Visitation Habitat for Humanity work projects Medical outreaches for the … [Read more...]
Searching for the Holy Grail of Church Transformation
August 25, 2008 By 1 Comment
What is the key, the Holy Grail, in transforming a church?Is there one?In the work of evangelism training, I've been asked on many occasions about the role of evangelism in helping a church get out of the rut, get unstuck, or get excited about inviting others to following Jesus.Note: … [Read more...]
From the Evangelism Bookshelf: Walking with the Poor
November 27, 2007 By 9 Comments
I've been reading Walking with the Poor, by Bryant L. Myers. The book looks at principles and practices of transformational development.The book explores poverty, causes of poverty, and calls the church to action in engaging broken systems that cause poverty. He lays forth a strong case that … [Read more...]
Friday Finds
September 28, 2007 By Leave a Comment
How can pastors find time to do evangelism? The simple answer -- be intentional in doing personal evangelism=========================The New York Times reports of a multi-cultural church transformation in Georgia. This story is about a church that knew it had to change to meet … [Read more...]
