Because I have had the privilege of coaching the pastors of some large and fast-growing churches over the years, one of the Frequently Asked Questions about my Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network is:

“Will this network will be helpful for a church our size?”

The truth is, some of the best results I see from the network come from pastors of smaller churches – churches facing the 65, 125 or 250 Barrier.

Here’s what one such pastor recently had to say about his experience:

The Coaching Network has been an exciting year for me.

I have been challenged to go beyond what I ever thought possible for me and my church.  And not just challenged, but trained as well.

Nelson Searcy has provided practical teaching, examples, tools, principles … everything I need to excel in the areas of stewardship, small groups, evangelism, assimilation and many other areas of church life.

The books and audio he assigns each month for our homework are excellent and almost always hit me right where I am at.

Nelson is also faithful.  By that I mean he lives out what he preaches and teaches.  And that is most important to me as my coach.

I’m looking forward to a second year beginning in August.  As much as anything, I am looking forward to re-reading Nelson’s books, “Fusion,” “Activate,” and “Ignite.”  I have discovered from Nelson that repetition is the key.

I hope you join the network.  I know you’ll be glad you did.

Ted

Rev. Ted Harvey
Pastor, Somerset Hills Baptist Church
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
www.shbcfamily.org

Thanks for the great testimony Ted – can’t wait to see what God has in store for the next year together!

So how about you? Are you ready to be challenged to stretch and grow like never before?

The Tele-Coaching Network for Senior Pastors begins in less than three weeks but there’s still room for a few more – if you apply quickly!

For all the information and to Apply Now, check out:

www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/telecoaching

Can you meet me in Jacksonville, Florida next Wednesday for a FREE Live Event I’m doing for Senior Pastors?

Jacksonville, Florida on Wednesday, August 4th

We have a great group signed up already, but we still have room for you (and your Worship Leader – more about that later).

There’s no time to waste though, this event is only 6 days away!

I will be leading The Top 3 Growth Barriers Workshop for Senior Pastors – here’s what you’ll learn:

• What is keeping your church from growing the way God desires
• How to identify and break the three most common barriers blocking your church’s growth
• Pouring the foundation for solid growth in the future
• Specific coaching on these growth barriers
• The tools you need to break through these barriers
• Plus much more!

Here’s the link where you can Register Now (in 5 minutes or less):

Wednesday, August 4 9:00am – 12:00noon Hosted By: Chets Creek Church 4420 Hodges Boulevard Jacksonville, FL For Senior Pastors and Worship Leaders.

P.S. While you’re registering yourself for the Top 3 Growth Barriers event, don’t forget to sign up your Worship Leader for the companion event led by Jason Hatley (same day, time and location)!

Again, both of these events are free – don’t miss this chance to train yourself and your Worship Leader in one day!

Click here to Join Me in Jacksonville on Wednesday, August 4

Dear Pastor,

In less than 25 days my new Tele-Coaching Network for Senior Pastors begins . . .so I have a challenge to you:

DON’T BE AVERAGE!

The “average” church in America declines by 9% a year. The “average” church in America is behind on budget and reaching less people than ever before.

Furthermore, do you really want to be an “average” pastor?

The ‘average’ pastor goes through the same boring routines week after week. The average pastor feels ‘stuck.’ The ‘average’ pastor doesn’t feel like they are living up to or living out their calling.

“Average” is not God’s plan!

I’m looking for a few pastors who are ready to say “NO” to average and “YES” to God’s best.

Is that you?

In less than 25 days from now, my new Tele-Coaching Network for Senior Pastors begins. It will help you lead your church beyond “average” to growth, health and Kingdom impact.

Here’s what Kenneth Sesley, Pastor of Kingdom Advancers Family Church in Carson, CA had to say about the network (he just finished the network last month):

“I would like to share this testimonial about what has happened in the last 11 months since we’ve been in the Tele-Coaching Network.

A while back after a tough time in our church, I had purchased a series by Nelson on Growth Barriers. I don’t know if that is why they contacted me about the network, but out of the blue I was contacted. Honestly I couldn’t afford the network, but with the money back offer, I decided to go for it.

Since that time:

* Our Adult attendance has doubled

* Our Children’s ministry has exploded, causing our overall attendance to triple

* Our finances have doubled, allowing us to add a paid minister of music, which has really enhanced our worship services

* Our assimilation process constantly get rave reviews both through our internet surveys, (and our phone calls), so our regular attenders are coming back and working their way through our process

* Our morale is at an all time high. My staff and my creativity is soaring

* Our first times guest attendance has gone from 0 to 10 a month

* We will be baptizing at least 10 people on a special July 4th baptismal

* We have moved from a undesirable meeting location to the Double Tree Hotel, which is an increase in expense, yet we have an abundance to cover the costs

* We have set a goal to double again in attendance before 2010 is over, and everyone believes that we can do it!

I have come to realize that most pastors who have a vision from God and a big vision to reach their city and the world for Christ will never be able to do it. The reason for it is not their preaching in most cases. Neither is it their hearts, or the lifestyles.

Most (99%) of all pastors that I know spend their times loving God, loving their families and their congregations and living simple, clean lives. They believe in the inerrancy of Scripture and many are committed to the Great Commandments, the Great Commission and the Great Compassion.

But they don’t even know that they need systems to run their churches properly.

I had always noticed that pastors who had either come out of executive positions in the business world, or pastors that had had officer training in the military were successful 90% of the time. These people just instinctively understand leadership and systems. But most pastors who go in the ministry through seminary, or bible colleges don’t get this taught to them.

So I would say that any pastor or church that is struggling to break the 65, 125 or 250 barrier or even the 500 barrier, should definitely join the network.

If your attendance is under 100 and you think that you may not be able to afford the network, let me say this: “You can’t afford not to join the network”!!!!!

By the time we made the changes in our offering envelope, website and the Christmas Offering WE HAD PAID FOR THE COST OF THE NETWORK MANY TIMES OVER.

In addition to that, our OFFERINGS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLE, and they are even going up through the beginning of the summer with people already going on vacations.

So I enthusiastically recommend this network to anyone who is interested. In fact, I have rejoined the network for the next 12 months.

Feel free to use this testimonial in any way that you choose.”

WOW! I’m glad Kenneth didn’t settle for average!

And how about this from Craig Walker, Lifeway Church, Celina, TX:

“You all have helped us so much! My wife just left my office and she said, ‘You have learned so much in this group. I’ve seen so many things we are doing that we would have never thought of on our own.’ She is right.”

Craig just finished the last network and is already signed up to return on August 19. Between you and me, I think his wife *made* him do it – ha!

OK, can I be very frank?

Now is not the time to settle for average.

NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO GROW A CHURCH and step out on faith and try something you’ve never done.

Even having said all this, I’ll admit my Senior Pastors Tele-Coaching Network is not for everyone and the truth is that I cannot accept everyone who applies (this network will fill up quickly).

But this is the perfect coaching network for those pastors with a desire to see their church grow and to invest the time and energy to cooperate with God in seeing it happen.

I can guarantee that if you apply and are accepted, this network will be more than worth your time and investment (in fact, I’m offering a complete money back guarantee – something I’ve never done for any regular coaching network).

** You can check out the FAQ link in the P.P.S. below where I answer the most common questions, but if you are ready to apply now, just download your application or complete your NEW Online Application at:

www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/telecoaching

Please hurry – the network starts August 19 (less than one month from now) and I need time to review your application.

This is one of a kind opportunity. Thank you for prayerfully considering this network. I look forward to reviewing your application.

Nelson

P.S. I just announced a very special BONUS that I want to tell you about as we drive towards the start of this new network.

Send me your application via email or submit it online by Friday, August 6, and if you are accepted I will send you a free copy of my Breaking Growth Barriers Workshop (a $399.00 value) as an early application bonus. And hey, if you’ve already applied, you’ll get it  upon acceptance.

Here’s the link to apply online, download your application or to learn all the details:

www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/telecoaching

Why am I doing this?

Most people wait to the last minute so I’m slammed with applications and since this flood of applications means that the network fills up in the last couple of days, it means I end up disappointing a lot of people. So I want to reward you for applying early (and it makes the process easier for me too – a win win, right!).

I look forward to reviewing your application.

P.P.S. Do you still have questions about the Network?

My team and I have put together a Frequently Asked Questions page designed to give you all you need to make your decision – here’s the link:

www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/telecoaching/faq.php

by Nelson Searcy and Tommy Duke

Evangelism is one of the purposes of the church that we recognize as a high priority – I rarely hear from a Pastor who isn’t trying to reach more people for Christ.

But sometimes, Pastors and their churches appear to be doing and saying all the right things, but they’re seeing little (if any) fruit.

Their frustration is often voiced in questions like:

• What are we doing wrong?
• How can I get my people to invite their friends to church?
• Why can’t we seem to reach the people of this community?

To check for one (unfortunately common) bottleneck, I’ve learned to ask a few key questions of Senior Pastors who are struggling with this situation:

• What are the names of 3-5 unchurched friends that you are praying will come to know Christ?
• Who have you personally invited to come to your church this week?
• When was the last time you prayerwalked through your own neighborhood?

See, in Coaching over 800 Pastors, I have observed this truth:

Evangelistic Churches are Led by Evangelistic Pastors

The Pastor is a huge piece of the Evangelism puzzle (and more important than we often realize).

It’s true across the board – evangelism has to flow down from leadership if the people of your church are ever going to reach out effectively.

Notice, I didn’t say “Evangelistic Churches are Led by Pastors with the Gift of Evangelism” – because that’s not always the case.

In fact, some of the healthiest, most fruitful churches I know are led by Godly Pastors who understand that Evangelism is a vital function of every believer – and just preaching about it on Sunday doesn’t exempt them from living it out the rest of the week.

So, how about you Pastor…

• Who’s on your “needs to know Christ” list?
• What are you going to do this week to reach out to them?

P.S. To learn more about the essential pieces of your church’s Evangelism System and a proven strategy to Double Your Church in a Day, check out The Ignite Seminar.

Attracting a Crowd To Monthly Services- Part 3
(Click here for Part 1, Part 2 and Part 4)

“Paint The Town”
by Andy Wood, Guest Blogger

When starting your Monthly Services, it should be your goal that everyone in the immediate area knows about your church and has the opportunity to respond. Don’t be the biggest secret in town!

So let’s be creative and think about how to make this happen!

1) Start Brainstorming…
Ask your team to help you come up with 50 ways you can let every person in your target area know about your Monthly Services.

Call church planters and local businesses that’ve been successful, ask them what worked and how they reached their local community. Then prioritize and pick some of the best ideas that fit within your budget.

Warning: be careful that you don’t stake your future on some grandiose idea that is only working in a textbook!

2) Utilize Direct Marketing Tools…
For each of our Monthly Services we sent 33,000 mail pieces to our community, and then for our grand opening we ended up sending 60,000 mail pieces.

I often talk to church planters who send 5,000 pieces one time and they tell me that direct marketing didn’t work for them. You’ve got to “GO BIG” with consistency. Some people won’t respond until they receive 8-10 mailers.

I went back one year after we launched and looked at the giving of everyone who we reached through mailers – we more than doubled the cost of our investment!

3) Promote Through The Web…
At South Bay Church we’ve seen a great response from Google Adwords. In addition, we created a Yelp page that gives info about South Bay. We have also utilized advertising on Facebook as just another way to get the word out.

Several cost free options include: creating a Facebook fan page for your church and creating a twitter account. As people get your mailers and door hangers they will check you out on the web. Make sure that your site that looks sharp and is easy to explore.

Link your website to Twitter and Facebook so that people can get involved in your online community.

4) Serve at Community Events…
Close to 1/3 of the people who came to our first Monthly Service we first connected with at a local Art and Wine Festival.

Identify local community events throughout the year and contact the city or the person in charge of the event. Ask them if you can serve by picking up trash, and helping with set-up and tear down of the event.

Most cities will also let you sponsor a booth where you can publicize your church. This is a great way to establish a positive relationship with your community and spread the word about your Monthly Services.

You’ve got the Holy Spirit in you. God has a big vision for your church. He wants to use you to make a huge difference.

Rely on Him to give a strategy to let the whole community know about your Launch!

Next week we’ll take a look at what I believe to be the most important part of getting a strong launch and that is PRAYER!

P.S. To learn this same proven process to launch your new church, check out The Launch Conference on CD.

I’m continuing my series of posts sharing some of my Coaching Alumni who are doing great things for the Kingdom.

Today I want to introduce you to Will Lindsey, Lead Pastor of Above & Beyond Fellowship in Spring, Texas. Will is a leader among leaders in his area and has seen tremendous growth, personally and in his church through coaching.  In the video below, Will briefly describes his coaching experience:

What’s your plan over the next year to grow your leadership and your church?

There’s still time for you to apply for my new Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network – it starts August 19 – so you’ll need to hurry!

For more information or to apply now, visit:

http://www.churchleaderinsights.com/telecoaching

“A year from now you may wish you had started today.”
– Karen Lamb

Can you meet me in Cincinnati, Cleveland or Buffalo next week for one of three FREE Live Events I’m doing for Senior Pastors?

Cincinnati, OH Area on Tuesday, July 27
Cleveland, OH Area on Wednesday, July 28
Buffalo/Rochester, NY Area on Thursday, July 29

We have a great group signed up already, but we still have room for you (and your Executive/Associate Pastor and Worship Leader – more about that later).

There’s no time to waste though, these events are next week!

I will be leading The Top 3 Growth Barriers Workshop for Senior Pastors – here’s what you’ll learn:

• What is keeping your church from growing the way God desires
• How to identify and break the three most common barriers blocking your church’s growth
• Pouring the foundation for solid growth in the future
• Specific coaching on these growth barriers
• The tools you need to break through these barriers
• Plus much more!

Here are the links where you can Register Now (in 5 minutes or less):

P.S. While you’re registering yourself for one of these Top 3 Growth Barriers Events, don’t forget to sign up your Executive/Associate Pastor and Worship Leader for the companion events led by Kerrick Thomas and Jason Hatley!

Again, all these events are free – don’t miss this chance to TRAIN YOUR ENTIRE STAFF IN ONE DAY!

Click here for Cincinnati Area on Tuesday, July 27

Click here for Cleveland Area on Wednesday, July 28

Click here for Buffalo/Rochester Area on Thursday, July 29

Some of the most frequently asked questions I get from Pastors deal with handling criticism.

It comes up in coaching networks, at live events and in simple conversations – so I’m always looking for how other people deal with critical words.

Recently I read this article from my friend and Coaching Alum Hal Seed, where he suggests seven questions to ask of yourself before responding to criticism:

Respond to Criticism with Seven Great Questions
by Hal Seed

A while back, I suggested that preachers request their congregants give them 48 hours to recuperate before giving criticism.

Once you receive criticism, how should you respond to it?

Let me suggestion seven questions you ought to ask before doing (or saying) anything:

1. What part of this is true? (And what should I do about it?)

2. Hurt people hurt people, so how is my critic hurting, and how can I help him/her?

3. How important is this issue to the health of the church?

4. How easy would it be to make the changes being suggested?

5. What would improve if I implemented this suggestion?

6. What might be hurt if I implemented this suggestion?

7. What does my wife think about this criticism? Does she see some truth in it that I am missing?

When it comes to criticism, you want to weigh what is said and by whom, rather than counting the number of people saying it.

Critics often build their case by saying, “A lot of people are thinking this way.”They want to present as forceful an argument as possible, when in reality, it may be that just they and their best friend had one conversation about it.

You can ask for specific names if you want, and then count how many people actually feel this way, or, a better way is to weigh the wisdom and influence behind the criticism.

For instance, if key a Board member, staff member or Elder is offering this criticism, their one voice might count for a lot more than ten or twenty uninformed or uninvolved fringe attendees.

Weigh the criticism as you ask your seven questions.

Pray.

Resist obsessing.

And use what is said to build your character and the church.

Oh, and if what was offered was done in a kind manner, with good intentions, be sure to thank your critic and ask God to bring you more of this kind of feedback.

What methods have you found helpful in handling criticism?

Great questions Hal!

In addition to asking what your wife thinks, I might add that there’s great value in placing yourself in a setting with other kingdom-minded, forward-focused Pastors – for encouragement, accountability and a positive atmosphere.

The only thing worse than having to deal with criticism (and we all do) is trying to face it all alone – and no one truly understands a Pastor like another Pastor.

That’s one of the advantages of being a part of my Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network - having a group of people who are facing (or have faced) the same challenges that you are, all focused on church growth in a positive atmosphere.

My next Tele-Coaching Network begins August 19 (yes, less than a month away) and it’s filling up fast – but if you’re ready to take your leadership and your church to the next level, there’s still time to get in your application.

For more information and to apply now, visit:

www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/telecoaching

Some of most commonly asked small group Questions come from those who are interested in (sometimes in the middle of) transitioning their existing traditional small groups to the Activate, semester-based groups system.

We’ve asked Roy Mansfield – Pastor of Spiritual Development at Northstar Church in Panama City, Florida – to share what he has learned through the process of transitioning to Semester-Based Small Groups.  Enjoy:

Top 4 Learnings in Transitioning From Traditional to Semester Based Small Groups

I’ve had the privilege of transitioning a church with traditional Sunday School to Semester Based Small Groups.

We grew from about 5% of our weekly Sunday attenders in Sunday School to 106% of our weekly Sunday attenders in Small Groups.

Here’s my top 4 learnings from the transition:

1) Make sure the Lead Pastor is fully committed to becoming a church of small groups.

If the church’s lead pastor does not see the vital importance of you becoming a church OF small groups instead of a church WITH small groups the impact of small groups in your church will never be maximized. Here’s two tests to see if your Lead Pastor is fully committed:

1. Is the Lead Pastor participating in and/or leading a small group?
2. Does the Lead Pastor regularly weave stories of his (and others) small group experiences in the weekend messages? CLICK HERE to get a copy of The book “Activate” that will further explain the benefits of becoming a church of small groups.

2) Launch semester based small groups with a church wide campaign

If your first small group semester is linked to a church wide campaign where the weekend teaching (and other ministries) are connected to your small groups it has the potential to build a great deal of extra momentum. CLICK HERE to see an example of an effective church wide campaign.

3) Launch semester based small groups as an “experiment.”

Especially if you have people who are having a good experience in traditional, ongoing (i.e. “I’m in this small group until Jesus comes back”) small groups, you will get pushback on the idea of “taking a break” for a month 3 times a year.

Let them know that you are going to try a semester of small groups during your church wide campaign.  Be prepared to make a decision about half way through your church wide campaign.

In the middle of the excitement of your campaign let people know that things have been going so well that all of the groups are going to take a break for a month after the campaign to sign people up for the next semester.

4) Every person must sign up for a group every semester

Do not allow leaders to present their group as “already full” when group sign ups begin.  Some leaders will say that all of their group members from the last semester want to stay together so they do not have any more room in their group.

Let the leaders know that you always ask everyone to sign up for a group each semester so there is always an opportunity for new people to get plugged into a group.

P.S. For everything you need to build an effective semester-based small group system check out The Small Group Intensive