December 21, 2016
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Organic Church
What would a "church" look like, if it did not own a building? If the church is people, then why do we assume that a church should own its own building?
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January 3, 2017
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What Disruptive Church Trends Did You See in 2016?
I recently came across an interesting article titled 5 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2016. Check out the author's predictions and let's discuss what you think he got right or wrong this past year.
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.
February 22, 2017
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Worship Renewal: 500 Years Later
When worship leaders gather to discuss renewal in worship, conversation easily turns to music. Who should lead? What instruments should be used? Perhaps we can learn a few things from the Reformation.
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.
March 7, 2017
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Project Small Creatures at Trinity CRC in Grandville, MI
I was the only pastor there among people with graduate degrees in environmental science and ecology. When it was my turn to present, I unapologetically said that we are a church and are called to care for God's creation.
March 8, 2017
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Preaching to the Unconvinced
The best preparation for preaching to the unconvinced is to build relationships with the unconvinced. If you don’t know any unchurched people, you won’t preach well to them.
March 23, 2017
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Online Resources in Defense of the Christian Faith
Increasingly Christianity is portrayed as nonsensical. However, in the last decade there has been a surge of apologetic resources (particularly on video) and here are ones I have used.
March 22, 2017
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Do What You Know Best
Up and coming writers are often given a simple piece of advice: write about what you know best. I think the same could be said of starting new ministry opportunities!
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.
April 12, 2017
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Rock and Roll and Food Trucks
Rock and Roll and Food Trucks was easily the largest outreach event that Faith Community has undertaken in the last twenty years. It grew out of the ideas and culture cultivated by the Church Renewal Lab.
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.
April 13, 2017
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No Holding Back
Oftentimes what we are passionate about spills over in our conversations. Are we so passionate about our faith that we simply can’t help but share it?
April 14, 2017
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Spirit Reception in Luke-Acts
This book (Ritual Water, Ritual Spirit: An Analysis of the Timing, Mechanism and Manifestation of Spirit-Reception in Luke-Acts) analyzes Spirit-reception in Luke-Acts with respect to timing, mechanism and manifestation.
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 29, 2017
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Finding Followers on Facebook
With the growing trend toward digital media in society, it should come as no surprise that churches can, and should leverage this opportunity to connect with a wide variety of people. Learn about how LifeQuest is using Facebook to grow membership.
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.
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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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.
April 16, 2017
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Navigating the Cobblestones: Christian Leadership in Difficult Times
We tell our students that if you are leading, you should have an understanding that difficult circumstances are either present or just around the corner. Here are a few principles for navigating these challenges.
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.
June 12, 2017
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3 Discoveries About Leading Congregational Renewal
Even with all the books and coaches and renewal team retreats, no change was going to happen in our congregation if I didn’t lead it. This was the quintessential money-where-my-mouth-was moment.
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 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!