I was wrong. And today I plan to set the record straight. Seriously. I’m figuring this thing out as I go along. As I sit down to blog three times a week, I’m still on a massive learning curve as to what I should and shouldn’t say, including what I do and don’t believe about […]
Pastoring a Small Church – A Great Calling, But a Lousy Goal Read More »
I refuse to idealize Small Churches. There’s not an ounce of nostalgia in me for some long-lost, non-existent, good-old-days when everyone attended a little white chapel and all was right with the world. In fact, one of the unwritten rules we follow regarding the photos for NewSmallChurch.com is No Little White Chapels Allowed. (I guess
Small Churches Are Not a Problem, a Virtue or an Excuse Read More »
I love hanging out with innovative, passionate Small Church pastors. They have such great stories and they can’t wait to tell them. The more I listen, the more I learn. We all know the value of hanging out with people who share our heart, don’t we? If we’re honest, most of us who attend ministerial
Hanging Out Is Holy – And Healthy Small Churches Take It Seriously Read More »
What are we going to do about all those struggling Small Churches? That question has been the subject of endless ministerial (especially denominational) hand-wringing in the last several decades. A lot of time and money has been invested in conversations, books, seminars and classes attempting to fix this problem. Struggling Small churches are usually given
Grow It or Close It? Is There a Third Option for Struggling Small Churches? Read More »
“Jesus wants the church to grow!” I agree. How can I not? Jesus was the one who said, “I will build my church,” and I’ve found that arguing with him is not a recipe for health or happiness. “Jesus wants your church to grow!” Wait just a second. We often make that second statement as
Does Jesus Want Every Church to Be a Big Church? Read More »
Where are all the great Small Churches? Would you know one if you saw one? They exist. There’s no doubt about that. There are great Small Churches in every country, serving every ethnic group and virtually every language. They worship in every imaginable style of music, and they meet in every type of building – including
It’s Time for Small Churches to Become Great Churches Read More »
Where are all the great Small Churches? Would you know one if you saw one? They exist. There’s no doubt about that. There are great Small Churches in every country, serving every ethnic group and virtually every language. They worship in every imaginable style of music, and they meet in every type of building – including
It’s Time for Small Churches to Become Great Churches Read More »
I like Rick Warren. A lot. I’ve never met him, but I’ve learned a lot from him. And we both live in Orange County, California, so we have several friends in common. They all speak very highly of his kindness, integrity and generous spirit. “Genuine” is the word they use most often. As much as I
Size ≠ Health: My Friendly Critique of a Rick Warren Interview Read More »
Innovation may not be what we’ve been told. It isn’t about being the coolest kid in the room. That’s just style. And it doesn’t come from tearing down the things that matter. That’s our substance. Innovation happens in the space between style and substance. I’ve spent the last two days at Catalyst West Coast. It was
Between Substance & Style: Innovation Happens in the Middle Read More »
It’s been over a decade since our church started a ministry that failed. Are we that brilliant? No. We just don’t start new ministries any more. We try experiments, instead. If I were to start the turnaround process in a church again, this is the #1 rule I would follow from Day 1 – outside
27 Advantages of Putting an Expiration Date on New Ministries Read More »
