Notable Voices: August 18, 2018

From Around the Web:

How to Prepare for a Major Financial Emergency — Art Rainer

Major emergencies, like losing a job, are rare. They occur on a much less regular basis than minor emergencies. But when they do hit, their punch can be devastating. Losing a job can take a significant emotional and financial toll. For some, losing a job means selling a house, finding a new school for the kids and, of course, finding a new job. Losing a job is stressful and exhausting. And if you aren’t prepared, you can quickly find yourself with an empty bank account.

Church Mystery Guests Share What Keeps Them From Coming Back — Facts & Trends

As churches drift into ministry routines, it can be easy to overlook blind spots—aspects of the church service or culture that keep guests from returning. For this reason, the company Faith Perceptions sends mystery guests to churches to help them see their service through the eyes of a visitor and understand what can be improved so guests will be more likely to return.

9 Things a Messy Church Building Says — Chuck Lawless

You’ve probably seen one—that is, a church that is generally messy, cluttered with “stuff” and often marked by disarray. Sometimes, the building also carries a unique odor that can only be described as “church basement stench.” I admit my bias here (that I’m a very clean person), but my years of church consulting have shown us that a messy church building often says:

Pastoring Amid Depression — John Starke

I was a pastor and depressed. Of course, depression doesn’t just hit pastors and not all pastors will experience depression. But there were some unique challenges to being a spiritual leader and guide, while also feeling weakened by my emotional life that I didn’t have many categories for. How could I help others if I felt helpless? How could I preach the fruit of Christian joy when it had literally been months since I had experienced it myself? Shame, guilt, and fear were emotions that seemed to be taking their turns swinging at me.

Earlier This Week at ThomRainer.com:














Five Ways the #MeToo Movement Will Likely Impact Churches
Problems Churches Face When They Don’t Have a Pastor
Seven of the Greatest Stressors on Pastors
Leading a Revitalization or Replant When You Are Bivocational
Why People Don’t Invite Others to Church