CHURCH LEADER INSIGHTS - October 2007
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::
MYTHICAL EVANGELISM
Myth #3 People will not come to church if I invite them! Whoa! Contrary to the popular belief of many - most people - especially if invited by a friend or co-worker - will attend a worship service - if invited. The key is giving "a meaningful invitation!" <Read More>
For additional resources to assist you with Evangelism and Church Growth click here:
GROWING PAINS
Jesus Churches stop growing when they become inwardly (instead of outwardly) focused. If you notice a decline in your number of first-time guests and an increase in discussion of inwardly focused programs, beware! You are about to fall victim to the sharing barrier. In my experience, healthy growing churches will have a 5:100 ratio of first-time guests to regular attendees. Watch this ratio carefully, and take its waning as a warning sign. When this barrier starts blocking your growth, here are some ways you can break through it: Teach on relational evangelism, Set an example by telling stories of how you’ve invited people to church, Do servant evangelism outreach . . ..<Read More>
PODCAST: What Every Worship Leader Wants from their Pastor
In Part 2 of this brutally honest podcast, we examine what a pastor must provide in order for their worship leader to succeed. Don’t miss this discussion between Nelson Searcy, Lead Pastor, and Jason Hatley, Pastor of Worship Arts, from The Journey Church in NYC.<Listen Here>
SIX WORLD VIEWS YOU ARE COMPETING AGAINST
Want to change the hearts of those listening to your sermons each week? Change their minds – and their worldviews – first.
All worldviews have consequences. Every day we’re affected and influenced by them. We’re often not even aware of it. These worldviews affect the happiness and success of the people to whom you minister. They matter greatly. There is only one worldview that is consistent with the Bible. The biblical worldview says God made us for his purposes. It says that we exist for his pleasure. It’s 180 degrees different from the other worldviews above.. . <Read More>
10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT UNCHURCHED PEOPLE
People aren’t impressed with your theological vocabulary and holy dialect. Use normal, everyday language. When we use phrases traditionally associated with Christianity, guests either don’t get it or will run from us so they don’t “catch it." These phrases are weird and scary to guests (actually, to the majority of people): “demonic spirit," “binding the hands of Satan," “forces of evil” and the overuse of an entire list of “blessed” phrases. Keep it simple, keep it real and avoid over-spiritualizing your conversation...<Read More>
::CHURCH PLANTING::
10 LESSONS LEARNED IN STARTING A NEW CHURCH
1. Not everyone is going to like you, approve of you, care about you, be honest with you, support you, or stay with you.
2. It’s okay to be a church for anyone, but not everyone. Open the doors of your church wide so that anyone will feel welcome. But if they all feel comfortable enough to stay around then you are doing something wrong...<Read More>
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::LEADERSHIP::
DRIVE BY GUILTINGS AND OTHER HAZARDS OF OVERZEALOUS PREACHING
Calling people to fly higher and go deeper in their walk with God is core to our calling as preachers. But it must be done in a way that neither violates nor undercuts what God so clearly lays out about the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12. It’s the ultimate warning against Best Practices Overload, Drive-By Guiltings and Over Zealous Preaching.<Read More>
SPOTTING NEW LEADERS
People who take initiative. Non-leaders are content to follow what others plan and rarely take initiative in relationships or tasks. If you see someone who is willing to take initiative to change something or to improve a situation, you have a motivated person who may be a potential leader. Place this person's name on your "undeveloped leaders" list. <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.