CHURCH LEADER INSIGHTS - August 2007
ByNelson Searcy and Roy Mansfield
Courtesy of Church Leader Insights
http://www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/
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Church Leader Insights:
Church Health, Church Growth and Church Planting
::EVANGELISM / CHURCH GROWTH::
40 WAYS TO INCREASE BAPTISMS
- Have clothes ready for people who decide spontaneously to be baptized after a service.
- Make it a party atmosphere. It’s a celebration, not a funeral. Applaud baptisms!
- Invite small group members to witness the baptism and identify them before each baptism.
- For resources to assist you with Evangelism, see: www.churchleaderinsights.com
GROWING YOUR CHURCH BY ASKING PEOPLE TO LEAVE
Occasionally, there are some church members who need to leave for the ministry to move forward. These people might be miserable. Maybe they hate change. Perhaps they care more about their own needs than the needs of others. If someone is directly opposed to the direction God is leading your church, we should do our best to lead them to embrace the vision. If you’ve tried and tried and continue to fail, you may need to gently, lovingly help them find another church.
What are you doing to insure that you are growing as a leader? Roy and Nelson discuss what they are learning about a disciplined approach to personal growth.
I’M JUST NOT THAT INTERESTED IN GOD
What would happen if there was a church that didn't attack people [who said they weren’t that interested in God], but rather designed their ministries to help nonreligious people connect with God...especially in those times when folks are "in a pinch?"
Perhaps one of the most underestimated reasons people return to the Church is that someone simply invited them back. Overall, 41% of the formerly churched said that they would return to the local church if a friend or acquaintance invited them. Younger adults are even more influenced by the power of the invitation. Approximately 60% of those 18–35 would consider returning to church if someone they knew asked them to come back.
::CHURCH PLANTING::
LAUNCHING LARGE: THE NEW PARADIGM IN CHURCH PLANTING
Launching large is the ability of a new church to reach as many people as possible within the first six to eight months of existence. It’s an issue of discovering and fulfilling potential. God’s dream for your church is bigger than your dream. Launching large is about cooperating with God to see his vision accomplished in an area. Don’t underestimate that vision, or your ability to tap into it..
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::LEADERSHIP::
PLANNING FOR PERSONAL GROWTH
If you are not growing as a leader, you are limiting the potential of your church. Growing churches are led by growing leaders – and to continue growing as a leader you need to be expanding in both wisdom and knowledge.
HOW TO LEAD THROUGH CHANGE
They offend Pharisees. “When you do something new, the Pharisees will attack you like you never dreamed possible.” The things that are accepted today in the Church world, were hated ten years ago. When they do criticize, you must handle their criticism with grace. A lot of you are angry, and you have to get over your anger. Don’t shoot back. “What new thing is God calling you to create that will be hated today and embraced tomorrow?”
Church Leader Insights is a bi-weekly publication sent via email that focuses on effective leadership, church growth, church planting evangelism and much more.