Notable Voices and the Week in Review: February 9, 2019
From Around the Web:
Ageism: The Real Struggle for Church Staff Close to Retirement — Sam Rainer
Churches will survey the congregation and ask about an ideal age for a new lead pastor. The answers are always the same—somewhere between 38 years-old and 56 years-old. The national median age is 38 years-old, and the median age of a churchgoer in most denominations is someone in their mid-to-late 50s, so it’s no surprise the church would say, “I want a pastor who is like me!” For those who are older on your church staff, what can be done? How can a church move away from the blatant ageism that seems to be so rampant in congregations?
What do Millennials Actually Believe About Evangelism? — Facts & Trends
Millennials have been blamed for killing everything in our culture from the hotel industry to canned tuna. Is evangelism next on their hit list? Probably not. In a recent study from Barna, almost half of practicing millennial Christians (47 percent) say it is “wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith.” This caused many loud laments on social media from Christian leaders about the faith of millennials and some pessimistic declarations about the future of Christianity in America. However, the rest of Barna’s findings along with other research presents a more nuanced picture of millennials’ relationship with evangelism.
When a Church’s Committees are out of Control — Chuck Lawless
Many churches have committees, but some of them are out of control. Here’s how you might know:
3 Ways to Misunderstand the Trinity — Brandon Smith
There are many ways to understand the Trinity more deeply. I would start by reading helpful books like On God and Christ by Gregory of Nazianzus or Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves. But first, it’s important to restart your framework. You need to undo your own Trinitarian theology before learning how to do Trinitarian theology. So, how can we misunderstand the Trinity? Here are three foundational ways. Each point will setup and flow into the next one.
This Week at ThomRainer.com:
The Five Hour Challenge: Turning Your Church Outwardly Focused
I have to challenge pastors and church leaders. In recent years I have noticed a precipitous decline in the amount of time church leaders spend doing evangelism or doing activities that have an outward focus…READ MORE
Seven Warning Signs of Inward Focus in a Church
There are very few attempts to minister to those in the community.
Church business meetings become arguments over preferences and desires.
Members in the congregation are openly critical of the pastor, other church leaders in the church.
Any change necessary to become a Great Commission church is met with anger and resistance.
The past becomes the hero.
Culture is seen as the enemy instead of an opportunity for believers to become salt and light.
Pastors and other leaders in the church become discouraged and withdraw from effective leadership.
Six Major Areas Where Pastors Want to Reset Their Ministries
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode508.mp3
Five Reasons Your Church Should Have a Virtual Facility Assessment Immediately
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode509.mp3
Choosing Relocation as a Revitalization Alternative
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Revitalize & Replant
http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/RevitalizeReplant/RR-Episode079.mp3
