By Nathan Freeland I had a meeting with Pastor Sam. It didn’t go well. From that meeting, I learned a great deal about what pastors are required to know and do but were never taught. As a pastor, you may often wonder how you can make a greater impact for the Kingdom. I do as […]
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Just a few months ago, First Baptist Tulsa opened the doors of its new four-story, 82,000-square-foot preschool and children’s building. Rendering provided by HH Architects. By RaeAnn Slaybaugh With a community focus, congregational support, a solid plan and the right architectural expertise at the ready, First Baptist Tulsa has (beautifully) overcome the biggest challenge of […]
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For a long time, the model for creating a culture of generosity in the church involved the occasional pledge card, an annual sermon or two on stewardship, a letter to the congregants asking for gifts, maybe a year-end appeal around the holidays to close a gap, and a year-end giving statement. Today, that approach falls […]
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By Jack Siegman Trends aren’t easy to see while in the middle of ministry, or even by viewing reports or spreadsheets. But the fact is, your data tells a story. What story is your data telling? Are you using that story to make informed strategic decisions? And more important: are you able to understand […]
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Pastors addressing sexual and domestic violence In the wake of the #MeToo movement and the growing number of sexual misconduct accusations in churches across the world, LifeWay Research recently conducted a study — sponsored by IMA World Health and Sojourners — about the reasons pastors address sexual and domestic violence from the pulpit.
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As a church leader, it’s your job to inspire and motivate your staff. For some, this ability comes naturally. For others, it’s not so intuitive; coaching others to do their best is a skill that takes work to develop. The good news is it’s not difficult to work on this skill. You don’t need to […]
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From hurricanes to blizzards and everything in between, inclement weather is a part of nature. So are the challenges of managing the logistical factors involved in protecting your members when harsh weather comes calling. While a well-organized plan can minimize confusion and maximize safety, failure to properly address severe weather conditions can threaten everything from […]
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By Nick Cooper How often have you seen (or been a part of) a church or ministry staff with a tremendous vision, a plan to reach people and a beautiful design — and nothing happens? Many times, this is the result of failing to cast the vision to the congregation.
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People born between 1981 and 1996 are quickly becoming the dominant demographic in our society, even surpassing the Baby Boomers by 8 million. Known as Millennials, they make up more than one-third of the work force, and many from the earlier years of this generational window are now having families of their own. As Millennials […]
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By Kristine Miller Taken from Aristotle’s view of a balanced democracy, “the one, the few, and the many” refers to the segments that shape our communities and organizations. In our churches, the one, the few, and the many reflects the various ways in which people engage in ministry and giving. Typically, churches implement a one-size-fits-all […]
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