December 20, 2017
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When We Cannot Stay Here
Whatever precipitates the conclusion “we cannot stay here” the next question always is, “so where do we go from here?” Churches asking that question have several next-step options.
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November 20, 2017
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The Church Renewal Twins
Christian doctrine is based on several theological twins e.g., truth & grace, fully God & fully human, sovereignty & free-will. Similarly, church renewal is elliptical. Renewal only happens when churches invest in the following twins.
October 23, 2017
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Investing in Your Local Public School
Connecting with a public school links the church to the beating heart of the community. Here are a few ways churches can serve their local public schools.
October 3, 2017
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Becoming a Low Bar/High Bar Congregation
Congregations that are growing primarily by connecting the disconnected tend to be low bar/high bar churches. They have a low cultural bar (it's easy to walk and assimilate) but a high discipleship bar.
October 3, 2017
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Putting a Smile on Your Facilities
Someone once said that if you can teach your congregation to smile you’ll grow by 20%. Churches would also do well to teach their facilities to put on a smile.
September 6, 2017
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Rightsizing Smaller Congregations
Churches that are below peak membership but haven’t rightsized systems and structures look organizationally frumpy, exhaust members, and reduce their Kingdom impact. Here are some ideas to right-size a smaller congregation!
August 22, 2017
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The High Impact of Relational-Based Evangelism
Through an emphasis on Gospel preaching and life-on-life disciple making, Sunlight Community Church (CRC) in Port St. Lucie, FL, has celebrated nearly 600 people coming to faith in the past ten years.
August 8, 2017
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The Transformational Power of a Missional Picture
A key component of a mission-focused transition is seeing a picture of what’s possible when the right investments become part of a congregation’s story.
July 13, 2017
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Vision Casting: Essential Work of Elders
What’s the essential work of an elder? Articulating vision is the primary work of elders. Here’s how elders attend to this visioning responsibility…
June 29, 2017
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Developing Trust With Your Team
If leadership takes trust, then the important question is, "How is trust developed?" Lt. General George Flynn mentions five characteristics required of leaders looking to build trusting relationships.
June 29, 2017
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Remodeling for Missional Resources
A few years ago Providence Church (Holland, MI) harnessed the energy of HGTV and remodeled a home while also raising thousands of dollars for a Uganda missional move. Here's a to-do list if your church is interested!
June 29, 2017
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The Importance of Preaching the Announcements
Announcements typically feel like an intrusion into an otherwise sacred event. There is, however, another way to communicate information that enhances worship and underscores mission.
June 12, 2017
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Keeping An Eye On Your CVI
So, what numbers should be counted to identify missional health? A good place to begin is with three numbers every CRCNA congregation reports to the Yearbook.
June 12, 2017
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The Ideal Team Player
What characteristics should new team members possess? As churches start new programs, hire new staff, or elect persons to leadership positions this question is important to ask.
May 25, 2017
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Simple Steps to Faith Sharing
How can we change patterns of inactive faith sharing in local congregations? One solution is to begin with baby steps.
May 25, 2017
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Landing Vision in Your Zip Code
A good vision statement reflects the uniqueness of your congregational setting. Here are some ways to land vision in your neck of the woods!
May 25, 2017
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Painting the Love of Christ
Sunnyside CRC in Sunnyside, WA, discovered a powerful way to demonstrate the love of Christ to neighbors while also building deeper fellowship among believers.
April 29, 2017
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Creating a Sense of Urgency
In the CRCNA 75% of churches are plateaued or in decline. The average loss of membership in those churches has been 25.1% in ten short years. The time is now to convince the church “we cannot stay here." Here are five ways to create a sense of urgency.
April 12, 2017
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Two Questions Towards a "God’s Preferred" Future
Godly leaders and Christ-centered congregations always want to move towards a God’s-preferred future. Here are two questions to get your congregation started on the journey.
March 22, 2017
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How to Keep the Congregational Waters Sweet
The most important thing any congregation can do to be Christ’s vibrant spiritual oasis is to vigilantly keep their relational waters sweet. Here are 6 ways leaders can keep the waters sweet.
March 7, 2017
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5 Simple Ways to Break Free From the Ministry Vortex
It takes courage to break free from the vortex. It takes courage for leaders to stop spinning ministry plates. Here are 5 simple suggestions that may help Christian leaders get started.
February 21, 2017
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6 Suggestions to Reinvigorate Smaller Churches
Small congregations are questioning their viability given program rich congregations that are just around the corner. But I'd like to share 6 things small churches can learn from a mom and pop grocer by my house.