So what’s the point of it all? As hard as pastoral ministry can be, why would anyone want to stay in the same Small Church for two decades and counting? Because, as wild as the ride can be sometimes, the joys far outweigh the challenges. Here are just a few. (Today is the last of […]
20 Years Pastoring My Small Church: The Joys Read More »
The average length of a pastorate isn’t much over 2 years. In Small Churches, it’s lower. It’s a high-stress job, with long hours, high demands, emotional extremes and little (sometimes no) monetary compensation. But last month was my 20th year at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship. And last night my Small Church threw a party for me
20 Years Pastoring My Small Church: The Keys Read More »
If you want to increase your chances of working with innovators who need guidance, instead of heel-draggers who need motivation, this is the best piece of advice I can give you. I now consider it to be one of my main roles as a church leader.
Find a way to say “Yes”.
Yes to people. Yes to their crazy ideas. Yes to their passion. Yes to something God may be trying to do through them that I just can’t see yet.
The #1 Leadership Key to Spark Innovation in a Small Church 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 all know small group ministry is a must for a healthy church, right? But what if we’re wrong? What if small groups aren’t right for a lot of churches? I’ve struggled for decades (wow… decades! I didn’t realize that until I wrote it…) trying to do healthy small group ministry in my church, with
4 Signs Your Church Should Stop Doing Small Group Ministry 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 »
Breaking through the 200 barrier. Sometimes it feels like the only pastoring principle anyone has talked about for the past 30 years. In case you haven’t heard of it, the 200 barrier is the invisible ceiling a church must break through if it doesn’t want to be a Small Church any more. Do a Google
The Surprising Reason 80% of Churches Will Never Break the 200 Barrier Read More »
Encouraging, Connecting and Equipping Innovative Small Church Leaders. Eight words. Eight simple words that can transform your church, your ministry and your life. How do I know that? Because the principles behind those eight words helped transform my life and my church from being defeated, wounded and sad to being strong, healthy and joyous. Those
8 Simple Words that Can Transform Your Church Read More »
