Since my small groups book Activate came out, I’ve gotten lots of questions about small groups and one of the most common is about childcare:

How should we handle childcare for our small groups?

I’ve written about this several times in the past – and the short answer is… you shouldn’t handle it! You should allow parents with children to handle it.

Here’s why: it’s a question of values – if people value groups enough (and the spiritual growth they experience and observe in those groups), they’ll solve their own childcare problem.

Quick example - if one of the couples in your church who “can’t” join a group because of the lack of childcare were to win an all expense paid vacation to their favorite resort but no children were allowed, I can assure you that they would figure out a solution!

Why? Because they value the resort gift enough, they will figure out childcare.

So, rather than getting elbow-deep in trying to figure out everyone’s childcare, you have to help your people value their small group so much that they’ll figure it out.

BTW – here’s some of what I’ve written on this topic in the past:

http://www.churchleaderinsights.com/blog/?s=small+groups+childcare

P.S. For the most comprehensive resource available to build your church’s Small Groups system, check out The Small Groups Intensive.

Church Leader Insights just kicked off the Annual 4th of July Download Sale!

We are offering dozens of my downloadable resources at ridiculously low prices – HALF OFF, including many of our most popular downloads (like The Big Day, Starting a Second Service, and Developing a One Year Personal Growth Plan).

All $19.95 downloads are only $9.95 and all $29.95 downloads are only $15!

Hurry, Sale Ends Tuesday, July 5!

Here’s the link to check it out now:

The Annual 4th of July Sale

One of the best parts of having coached over 1,200 Senior Pastors over the years is that many of them keep in touch.

That means that from time to time I get emails from pastors all over the country sharing how God is at work in their churches, lives are being changed, and the Kingdom is expanding!

Recently I got one such email from CLI Trainer (and multi-time Coaching Alum) Jamey Stuart, Senior Pastor of Believers Church in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Jamey shared how God is using my new book, The Generosity Ladder combined with a three month “Tithe Challenge” to increase giving and grow more disciples in his church.

In fact, here’s what he said about the results:

I laid out the challenge during our Accelerate Series in January and our giving has exploded!

This year we sought a 17% increase in giving… seemed like a stretch, but we are up at least 20% if not more!

Our attendance is also up… God is up to something here. Can’t wait to be back in coaching in the fall!

And he gave me permission to share the audio of the message he preached on Generosity with you:

Click here to Listen Now

Great job Jamey – Go God!

P.S. If you’re interested in using The Generosity Ladder at your church, check out Direct2Church.com for great savings (up to 50%) on bulk copies. Click here for more info.

P.P.S. If you’re ready – like Jamey – to join the ranks of my Coaching Alumni, to stretch and expand your leadership and grow your church, check out my new Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network – click here to read more and Apply Now!

“If you care enough for a result, you will most certainly attain it.”
— William James, psychologist and author

My brand new Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network begins on Thursday, August 25!

Here’s a quick heads-up for you though – the Early Bird deadline is one month away – Friday, July 22.

Apply before July 22 to lock in your best rate ($600.00 Savings!) AND receive Over $840.00 in Bonuses (see below).

Don’t wait too long – your Early Bird opportunity ends in one month:

If you’re ready to take your leadership and your church to the next level, click the link below and download your application right now (or better yet, Apply Online):

www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/telecoaching

I just released my brand new resource on how to maximize your baptisms (how to double your baptisms, increase sign-ups, make sure no one falls through the cracks, etc.) – a complete system from start to finish.

In this new seminar, I’ll teach you the entire system in two hours of audio (and a special Q and A) plus tons of my never-before-shared documents, emails and promotional materials that you can use/edit for your church. Plus, a set of special bonuses if you pick it up this week.

Check it out:

DOWNLOAD BEFORE FRIDAY, JULY 1st AND RECEIVE OVER $99.00 IN ADDITIONAL BONUS RESOURCES!  Are you MAXIMIZING the celebration of Baptism in your church? Do you have an effective plan to help people decide to be baptized and move forward from that decision to celebration and discipleship after their baptism? In The Maximizing Baptism Seminar, Nelson Searcy has developed a valuable five-step system that will equip you to PROMOTE, PREPARE, PREACH, PRESENT and PRESERVE every baptism in your church. In this comprehensive  resource, you will learn: How you can increase the number of people who sign up to be baptized (you probably have more people interested than you realize…they’re just not telling you) The reasons why people are saying “No” to being baptized (hint: it’s not because they’re not spiritually ready) The power of your preaching to mobilize people to sign up for baptism How to help people overcome their fear of being baptized (and what those fears are) The specific steps you can take to ensure that every candidate is prepared to be baptized All the details and logistics that will make your baptism celebrations run smoothly The secrets to transforming baptism into a church-wide celebration How to follow up with every person after their baptism so that they’ll continue to grow in their relationship with Christ Specific steps to move people from baptism to membership in your church Plus much more!

Click Here to Download Now & Save $30.00! or Click Here to Secure Your 3-CD Set

You Will Receive:  Complete Seminar Audio (MP3) Fill in the blank Listener’s Guide Leader’s Notes (to teach to others) More than 45 Sample Documents Everything you need to maximize the impact and celebration of baptism at your church! Your Church Resources Include:   Fully Editable Baptism Checklist Complete Listener’s and Leader Guides Sample Promotional Emails Sample follow up documents Step by step process documents DOWNLOAD BEFORE FRIDAY, JULY 1ST FOR OVER $99.00 IN BONUS RESOURCES! Free Bonuses! Download Today to Secure These Additional BONUS RESOURCES: Overcoming the Barriers to Baptism ($19.95 Value) The Big Day ($29.95 Value) The Decision Dilemma ($19.95 Value) Fasting For Spiritual Breakthrough ($29.95 Value) Don’t Delay – Click Here to Download Now with Over $99.00 in BONUSES! P.S. As you might expect, the bonuses go away on FRIDAY, JULY 1 – yep, I’m rewarding those who act quick. Oh, and this is the best price at which we’ll ever offer this resource – some people always tell me they’ll wait to see if we make a special offer – they end up paying more. And 365-day, no questions asked iron-clad refund policy if you don’t like it.

Yesterday was Father’s Day AND my son’s 5th birthday.  We had a great day at The Journey and thankfully, life around my house is beginning to return to normal… a person can only handle so much excitement at a time and this weekend was close to my limit

My son Alexander got lots of great gifts (most of them having something to do with superheroes), and I wanted to give you one last chance to download my gift to you…

In honor of Alexander’s birthday and Father’s Day, I put together a special resource package designed to help you become a better man – it’s called The Great Father’s Day Package and you can save $189.00!

Your Great Father’s Day Package includes:

• Time Management for Busy Pastors($99.95 Value)
• Setting and Achieving Godly Goals($99.95 Value)
• Leadership Skills for a Growing Church ($99.95 Value)
• BONUS – Managing the Stress of Ministry ($29.95 Value)

Plus, download yours between now and Monday, and you’ll receive over $105.00 in Additional Bonuses, including:

• Planning a One Year Preaching Calendar ($29.95 Value)
• Maximizing Summer ($19.95 Value)
• Maximizing Easter ($19.95 Value)
• The First 90 Days: Welcoming a New Staff Member ($19.95 Value)
• The Year-End Review ($19.95 Value)

All told, you’ll Save Over $189.00 if you act before 11:59pm Today!

Click Below to Download Your Great Father’s Day Package:

https://nelsonsearcy.infusionsoft.com/cart/store.jsp?view=4&i=p1049

Available through 11:59pm Eastern Today Only!

Prefer to order by phone? Call us at 1-800-264-5129 before 5pm Eastern.

Hope you’ll take advantage of this special opportunity!

Nelson

With this weekend being Father’s Day, I thought the article below from Dick Hardy would be timely to re-print here on the blog.

And with the “double-header” at my house – my son Alexander turns 5 on Sunday – it was definitely worth the read for me.

Have a great Father’s Day and enjoy:

14 Thoughts on Being a Pastor and a Dad
by Dick Hardy

Hmmmmm…how did this happen? One minute I am referred to as Pastor Dick or Pastor Hardy and then BOOM, this kid shows up in my house. In my case, it was 1982 when my son arrived only to be followed by his sister three years later.

Once they started talking the title became Dad. At that point at church I was a business administrator but for all intents and purposes I was a pastor. That was me…and now I was a dad.

As of the date of this writing, Jonathan and Erin are 28 and 25 respectively. They have brought much joy to the lives of my wife and me. Let me say as well they have done very well in choosing the One they would serve through life. We are humbled by those decisions.

Male pastors approach this subject with some fear and trepidation. Once you venture out with suggestions, advice or thoughts on raising kids you run the risk that it will all come back to bite you. It is my prayer that our family will be spared that kind of tragedy. To be clear, for all the good decisions our children have made to-date, tomorrow they could choose wrongly. We pray that will not be the case.

Here are my thoughts for those who are a dad and pastor.

1. Pray Like It’s a Privilege. It never stops. I remember a friend older than me telling me that just because her daughter was 30 did not mean she ceased being her daughter in the sense of prayer, care and nurture. My friend was right. I was privileged to pray for my children when they were very young and I am privileged to pray for my children as adults everyday.

2. Pray Like It’s a Responsibility. If I do not do it, who will? Yes, my wife, but even then I am the leader of my home. I owe it to my two kids, my wife and my God to carry them to Him every day. This responsibility makes much of what I do at the office pale in comparison.

3. Introduce Them to Jesus. Do not wait around for the children’s or youth worker or pastor to do the drill. You’re their dad for crying out loud. You need to make the greatest introduction they will ever experience. Do all you can to log in their mind all that is associated with that introduction. Why introduce everybody else in church to Jesus and not your own kid. Do it!

4. Disciple Them. This is your opportunity to make sure they get it right. Just because they are in your pastor’s home doesn’t mean they get it by osmosis. You must partner with your wife and the ministries of the church to walk your child systematically through what God desires for their life. This will pay huge dividends. But you must lead in discipleship.

5. Discipline Them. Left to their own devices sons and daughters will not go the right direction. Maybe on a rare occasion they might get lucky. In any profession you must experience training. It’s the same with your children. Athletes must subject their bodies to pain in order to achieve on the field, court or track. We spanked our kids. I know, I know…politically incorrect. They don’t seem to be too warped as a result. Whatever you do, take steps to establish rules, boundaries and expectations. Use discipline in correction. You goal is to get the right kind of behavior that sets them up for success in life. Failure to discipline will have dire consequences.

6. Love Their Mom. The greatest sense of security comes when a son or daughter sees their dad loving on mom. In the home, they should see you kiss and hug her. They will learn how a husband relates to a wife by watching their own parents. Be the model and love their mom.

7. Have Fun. Don’t take yourself too seriously. If you are by nature a fun-loving pastor this one is easy. If you are heavy into the depths of everything spiritual, you can afford to relax and have fun with the son and/or daughter God has given you.

8. Be Crazy. For some guys, Webster has their picture by this word’s definition.   Really. They are just flat out goofy, crazy, and nuts. Kids have more fun with crazy dads. Now you might like to keep some balance, possibly provided by your wife. But in any event, get crazy from time to time. No, it’s not “unpastoral” for you to do this!

9. Smile and Laugh. Yes, enjoy life and let it show. Smile. Let yourself laugh. I know you are the pastor but for goodness sakes, ease up and laugh. Life is too short and your kids are with you a VERY short time.  While you’re at it, if you have a serious child, help them learn to enjoy smiles and laughter. Eventually, they will thank you for it.

10. Cry. Some guys, including pastors, have trouble with this one. Whether consciously taught or not, our culture says, “Tough guys don’t cry.” Certainly, if you are leading a church or ministry, you must be tough. Right? Forget it. If the time comes for your son or daughter to cry even as teens or adults, let them cry. While you are at it, let them see you cry when that occasion presents itself. You will not lose on this one.

11. Be a Kid Again (Good Excuse). Your wife wonders, but that’s what makes you the man you are today. You are just a kid stuck in a 25, 45, 65 or 85-year old body. Let it show. When the kids want to play you need to be front and center. You don’t have to forfeit wisdom, but you do need to be a kid when your kids need a kid.

12. Teach. Life is a lesson. You have the great opportunity to teach through virtually every happening in life. Your home is a classroom. Your kids will watch how you deal with the ups and downs of life. How you respond to adversity in the church, particularly as they get old enough to understand some of the unfairness that is part of ministry.   Will you teach grace, mercy and compassion or will you teach anger and vengeance. Revel in the privilege of being their number one teacher.

13. Be the Dad. You have to step up and be the dad when the time calls for it. Your kids don’t need another buddy. They have plenty of those. They need a dad who will show them the direction when their immaturity can’t find it. Be the dad!

14. Transfer Everything. Realize that the day will come when it won’t be all about you, your church, your ministry, or your life.  While they are growing up YOU are their dad. They are YOUR son or daughter. YOU are the pastor.  I relished the day when the tables turned and people said to me, “Oh, you are JONATHAN’S dad” and “Oh, you are ERIN’S dad.” My mark on life began to be made through my kids. They are now making the mark. That is really cool.

At the end of the day, you need to be able to look in the mirror and say to yourself, “I did all I could today to be the dad to my son or the dad to my daughter I could be.” Some days you will fail. Other days you will see outlandish success. Every day you need to purpose not to be the best pastor on the planet, although that would be good.  Rather, purpose to be the best dad those kids in your home need today.

At the end of life’s journey I want Jonathan and Erin to say something like this to me, “Well-done, Dad. Thank you for raising me like you did. Thank you for introducing me to Jesus.” That will be more than worth it in my book and I hope in yours as well.

Great stuff!

P.S. If you’d like to Save $189.00 on a great package of resources to help you be a better dad, check out The Great Father’s Day Package – available for Immediate Download!

This weekend is a big one for our family. This Sunday is my son, Alexander’s 5th birthday – yep, the big “oh – five.”

I’m seeing a Superhero Squad cupcake in my future… It’s going to be a blast!

Plus, I get twice the celebration, because his birthday is also Father’s Day!

Since I’m in a celebratory mood - I’d like to give you a gift too…

In honor of Alexander’s birthday and Father’s Day, I’ve put together a very special resource package designed to help you become a better man – it’s called The Great Father’s Day Package!

Your Great Father’s Day Package includes:

• Time Management for Busy Pastors($99.95 Value)
• Setting and Achieving Godly Goals($99.95 Value)
• Leadership Skills for a Growing Church ($99.95 Value)
• BONUS – Managing the Stress of Ministry ($29.95 Value)

Plus, download yours between now and Monday, and you’ll receive over $105.00 in Additional Bonuses, including:

• Planning a One Year Preaching Calendar ($29.95 Value)
• Maximizing Summer ($19.95 Value)
• Maximizing Easter ($19.95 Value)
• The First 90 Days: Welcoming a New Staff Member ($19.95 Value)
• The Year-End Review ($19.95 Value)

All told, you’ll Save Over $189.00 between today and Monday!

Click Below to Download Your Great Father’s Day Package:

https://nelsonsearcy.infusionsoft.com/cart/store.jsp?view=4&i=p1049

Today through Monday Only!

Prefer to order by phone? Call us at 1-800-264-5129 before 5pm Eastern.

Thanks for your continued prayer and support for me, my family, The Journey and the ministry of Church Leader Insights!

Your friend,

Nelson

P.S. Don’t wait too long though… The Great Father’s Day Package and Bonuses will disappear like leftover birthday cake on Monday at 11:59pm Eastern:

https://nelsonsearcy.infusionsoft.com/cart/store.jsp?view=4&i=p1049

Thanks for celebrating my son’s birthday (or Fathers Day) with me!

Some of the best feedback I get from alumni of my Coaching Networks is how much it helps them to have the accountability and direction in their reading during their time in the network.

One of the books that we read recently in my Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network was a business book all about welcoming guests, and it had some great application to ministry – specifically to Assimilation (helping move newcomers from First Time Guest to Fully Committed Members of your church).

That book prompted a question from one participant – “What are the Top 3 methods for churches to receive guest feedback?”

What a great question!

Here’s what I’ve found to be the three best methods at The Journey:

1. Guest Surveys – Part of the Assimilation System that we use and I teach is to send a survey to every first and second time guest to get their feedback.This is a tremendous source of information on what guests are really experiencing at your church – especially the 2nd time guest surveys (after they’ve attending twice).
2. Membership Class or Newcomer’s Receptions – These two venues are perfect because the people who attend are interested enough in your church to want to find out more about taking the next step.In other words, these people have found something they like and thus, are more than willing to share  insights and feedback about their experience.
3. Personal Conversations – No matter how many great tools are invented and implemented, one of the most powerful sources of guest feedback remains the simple one on one conversations you have with people who are attending.I like to ask people thought-provoking and insightful questions, like: how they heard about us, what led them to come back a second time and what they like best about The Journey.You’ll be amazed at what you can pick up through a simple, five minute conversation…

No matter how you solicit feedback from your guests, I encourage you to do everything you can to see your church as the guests attending see your church.

Then do everything you can to honor God by being good stewards of those guests!

P.S. My new Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network begins on Thursday, August 25, and if you Apply Before July 22nd you can receive Over $840.00 in FREE Early Bird Bonuses.

To Read More and Apply Now, click the link below:

www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/telecoaching