CHURCH LEADER INSIGHTS - FEBRUARY 2008
ByNelson Searcy, Roy Mansfieldand Scott Whitaker
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::
2008 AMERICA’S MOST INNOVATIVE CHURCHES
If it’s just innovation for innovation’s sake, it really has no value in the Church. If the end result is life-transformation through Christ, then the Church needs to be innovative. <Read More>
WHY SOME CHURCHES GROW AND OTHERS DECLINE
More important than theological orientation is the religious character of the congregation and clarity of mission and purpose, the survey highlighted. Growing churches are clear about why they exist and about what they are to be doing.
<Read More>
::NEW AUDIO TRAINING::
PODCAST: Fusion is Assimilation, Part 2 Continuing their practical Podcast, Nelson Searcy and Jennifer Henson discuss the rest of the top six lessons on Assimilation from their new book Fusion: Turning First Time Guests Into Fully Engaged Members of Your Church. Part 2 of 2. <Listen Here> |
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KEYS FOR OVERCOMING YOUR CHURCHES FINANCIAL CRISIS
Churches need to establish a three month emergency fund of cash reserves to be used during a financial crisis. The church’s emergency fund will allow the church treasurer/financial secretary or finance committee time to develop a course of action when a financial crisis occurs. <Read More>
::CHURCH PLANTING::
THREE CHALLENGES FOR EVERY NEW CHURCH
It is just like Jesus told them, " … you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you … " He was explaining that this risk-taking endeavor called church planting would be Spirit-led. It may have not made complete sense to that launch team at the time, but over the next few months and years they would come to know that the risks they would take on this mission would always be Spirit-led. <Read More>
::ATTENTION CHURCH PLANTERS::
Are you a church planter? If so, we'd like to send you $80 worth of Church Leader Insights resources and training materials at no cost. (including Launching Large, Funding Your Church Planting, Starting Small Groups from Scratch and The Call to Start a New Church by Nelson Searcy) For more, see: Free Church Planting Resources
:: LEADERSHIP::
SEVEN ERRORS TO AVOID IF YOU WANT YOUR MINISTRY TO LAST
Many things can distract you from ministry. Personal or health problems can distract you. Competing interests can distract you. Finances can distract you. Things that you think are fun and good and wonderful can distract you. Satan doesn’t care if you aren’t sinning while distracted, because as long as you’re distracted, you aren’t doing what God wants you to do. <Read More>
::RECOMMENDED BOOKS::
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Every church leader I know would agree with the statement that our churches are to put people first. But in reality it’s a difficult balance, as there has to be solid procedures and accountability. This book balances the challenge of keeping people first while having solid systems for growth. Here’s just one of several key takeaways I found in the book: “In sustainable organizations, connecting what people do on a daily basis with the higher purpose is paramount.” – Nelson Searcy
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This book fills a giant hole in church leadership books - how to handle money, increase giving and raise big dollars for big projects. Co-author Steve Stroope is my mentor and friend, but he and Aubrey Malphrs deliver the goods in this book. This book is the best book I've read on church stewardship since Money, Possessions and Eternity by Randy Alcorn. – Nelson Searcy
Church Leader Insights is a bi-weekly publication sent via email that focuses on effective leadership, church growth, church planting evangelism and much more.