church leader insights - january 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::
WHAT EVANGELISM ISN'T
By far the greatest danger in apologetics is being distracted from the main message. Evangelism is not defending the virgin birth or defending the historicity of the resurrection. Apologetics is defending the faith, answering the questions others have about Christianity. It is responding to the agenda that others set. Evangelism, however, is following Christ's agenda, the news about him. Evangelism is the positive act of telling the good news about Jesus Christ and the way of salvation through him. <Read More>
For resources to assist you with Evangelism and Church Growth, click here:
ARE YOU A GOOD SAMARITAN?
Divinity School students were assigned to write a sermon on the good Samaritan and then sent across campus to deliver the sermon. Along they way they meet a man who needs help. Do they stop? Learn why we give and why we don't in this exclusive online video from bestselling author of Emotional Intelligence and psychologist Daniel Goleman. <Watch Video >
::NEW AUDIO TRAINING::
PODCAST: Fusion is Assimilation
In this practical Podcast, Nelson Searcy and Jennifer Henson discuss the top six lessons on Assimilation from their new book Fusion: Turning First Time Guests Into Fully Engaged Members of Your Church. Part 1 of 2.
<;Listen Here>
THE COST OF BEING UNREMARKABLE
If your organization is unremarkable, you will have to compensate by spending more money on marketing promotions to be successful. If your organization is remarkable, marketing promotions will only amplify your success. <Read More>
THREE MYTHS ABOUT CHURCH DROP OUTS
High school students are planning to leave the church once they go to college. Wrong - Students are not planning to leave the church. Our research reveals that an overwhelming majority (80%) of high school students do not plan to leave their church once they graduate. Conversely, only 20% of high school students have preconceived notions to leave the fellowship once out of their parents' nest. Students are not fleeing the church because of deep desires for personal freedom. Nor are they scheming to leave once out of the house. <Read More>
::CHURCH PLANTING::
THE STATE OF CHURCH PLANTING USA
Historically, church planting has been a denominationally driven activity. Today, the picture is quite different-with much of the energy centered at the local level. Many of the country's most vibrant congregations see church planting as one of their central purposes. "Church-planting networks"—loose affiliations of churches that may or may not be tied by denomination but do share a commitment to launching new, like-minded congregations—are also at the forefront of the movement. <Read More>
Are you a church planter? If so, we'd like to send you $50 worth of Church Leader Insights resources and training materials at no cost. (including Launching Large, Funding Your Church Planting and The Call to Start a New Church by Nelson Searcy). For more, see: Free Church Planting Resources
::LEADERSHIP::
TOP 8 BOOKS FOR CHURCH LEADERS
Authenticity: What Consumers Really Want
Going beyond their bestselling 'The Experience Economy,' Gilmore and Pine remind church leaders that it's ultimately the authenticity of the experience that matters. Page for page I had more 'new thoughts' reading this book than any on the list. <Read More>
TOP 10 WAYS TO SLEEP SMARTER AND BETTER
One of the key reasons we don't always do well as church leaders is because we don't sleep well. In fact, workplace studies show that nothing kills your ability to get things done faster than a bad night's sleep. #6 says that one problem could be with your alarm. #3 is a technique C.H. Spurgeon reportedly used. <Read More>
Church Leader Insights is a bi-weekly publication sent via email that focuses on effective leadership, church growth, church planting evangelism and much more.
