“I left my Small Church because the quality of worship, programs and preaching wasn’t great. Then I came back to my Small Church because the quality of worship, programs and preaching in the megachurch was so high, it made me passive. “The big church didn’t need me. My Small Church does. And I need to be […]
Could Excellence Be Killing the Church? Read More »
Welcome to the New Small Church Nametag Wall. That is, welcome to where the wall is going to be very soon. The plan is to have it up and running by Tuesday, January 14, 2013. (Since writing this, the Nametag Wall is now up! Click here to check it out.) Here’s the idea. As a way to
Be First In Line for the New Small Church Nametag Wall Read More »
More evidence has just come in. Small Churches are the next big thing. I wasn’t planning to revisit this idea for a while, but a couple days ago I read a post by Thom Rainer, with the curious title “The Death of the Mall and the Future of Church Buildings.” In it, Thom made some
Small Churches REALLY ARE the Next Big Thing Read More »
Let’s put this myth to rest right now. Churches can handle change. But there’s one fatal mistake too many pastors make, that will kill any chance for change, no matter how badly it may be needed. What churches, and church leaders especially, can’t handle, is this: They can’t handle surprise. And they shouldn’t have to.
Grasshopper Myth: My Church Can’t Handle Change Read More »
“Show me a spiritually healthy church and I’ll show you a spiritually healthy pastor. Show me a spiritually unhealthy church and I’ll show you a spiritually unhealthy pastor. “If you’ve been the pastor of your church for five years or longer, it’s time to stop blaming your predecessors, your circumstances and your congregation. Like it
Small Church Problems? The Answer May Be Closer Than You Think Read More »
We don’t measure the things that matter. We measure the things we manage. That’s the essence of a comment I made this week in response to a short blogpost written by Artie Davis, entitled Disciples? If You Mean It, Measure It! UPDATE: Check out the gracious response to this post from Artie, below. Artie’s blogpost
How Do We Measure the Things That Matter? Read More »
We are on the same team. I’m grateful when you are there to help me and other Small Church pastors. But I also want you to know that we are here to help you too. There is a lot we can learn from each other. When megachurch pastors hold conferences, I know they do it
To My Friends Who Pastor Big Churches Read More »
Why are you doing this alone? That question is printed on a card that sits on my desk every day. It reminds me not to fall into the trap that too many Small Church pastors get caught in. Being a Small Church pastor is one of the loneliest, most stress-filled positions in the world. We have
Hey! Small Church Pastors! Stop Doing This Alone! Read More »
In a strong, healthy Small Church, chronic complainers can cause a lot of stress on the pastor and other leaders. If the Small Church is weak and/or unhealthy, complainers can kill a pastor’s and church’s spirit, sometimes without intending to. In Part 1 of this series, we saw some things we can do to move
Chronic Complainers, Part 2 – When Win-Win is a No-Go Read More »
Chronic complainers aren’t a huge issue in a big church. Very few congregation members will know them, and even the pastor may only be aware of them by email (but so many emails!). In a Small Church their voice is loud. They know everyone – and everyone knows them. The challenge for Small Church pastors
Chronic Complainers, Part 1 – Creating a Win-Win Read More »
