Pastors’ Social Roles Unclear in Current Cultural Climate We are only a few months into 2019 and it has already been a newsworthy year full of major headlines. With all of the dramatic changes and strong stances taking place in the current American social and political climate, pastors are feeling the effects of trying to […]
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For busy full-time church leaders, an MDiv or DMin degree might seem out of reach. Here’s the reality. Have full-time church leaders shown increased interest in MDiv and DMin training in recent years? Reggie Ogea: We have seen an increased interest in training in a variety of areas. For the MDiv, a lot of larger […]
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Expert advice for using technology to identify, engage & cultivate first-time givers What does a first-time giver look like? Mark Walker: We shouldn’t base our assumption on whether people are young or new in the pew; first-time givers look different, in different churches. As leaders, we should have our finger on the pulse of […]
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By Sam S. Rainer III You can sit during these meetings if you like; “standing meetings” are different than stand-up meetings. A standing meeting is one that repeats in a regular pattern and is an obligation for people to attend. I have a standing meeting every Monday at 4 p.m. with my worship pastor. We […]
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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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