Notable Voices and the Week in Review: July 27, 2019

From Around the Web:

What to Do if Your Church Won’t Change — Mike Brooks

In my ever-increasing passion for right church practice, I’m wary of leveling claims against others’ ways of doing church based sheerly on the perceived relevance (or lack thereof) of their methods to our cultural moment. Countless times, I’ve been involved in or privy to conversations amongst young leaders and believers whose frustration is rooted in their contention that their church just doesn’t “get it.” My advice in return, for whatever it’s worth, is often to tell them just to stay. Express those frustrations in a healthy way, to brothers and sisters who will let the thoughts land as needed, but don’t be tempted to let mole-hill issues become the mountain-sized barricade between you and the opportunity to be used by God to serve others.

 

14 Ways to Create Harmony on a Church Staff — Facts & Trends

There are many positions I haven’t held, but as pastor, I’ve worked in the church office all my adult life. I recently put out a call to a group of friends for advice for someone going to work in a church office for the first time. Here are some of their answers. Come to think of it, these are pieces of good advice whether you’re just starting out working on a church staff or you’ve been doing this for decades.

 

12 Distractions during Worship Services — Chuck Lawless

Worship is frequently a controversial topic, and it’s not my goal to add to those debates. Based on my work as a church consultant, reports from our consultation “secret shoppers,” interviews with church members, and my own experiences, though, here are 12 far-too-common distractions during worship services:

 

How to Use Technology in a Distinctly Christian Way — Tim Challies

Throughout church history, Christians have used the new technologies of the time to further God’s kingdom. The Internet has been no exception. In this video, Tim Challies talks about how Christians have used technologies including the Internet and blogs and how they have had both benefits and drawbacks.

 

This Week at ThomRainer.com:





















Seven Fascinating Insights into Where Pastors Do Their Sermon Preparation

Pastors spent an average of 22 hours a week in sermon preparation, and the pastoral activity which requires the most time often goes unseen by most church members…READ MORE

Seven Reasons for Optimism in the American Church

New churches replacing dying churches
New churches truly becoming evangelistic
Balance of practical and classical training for pastors and staff
Better use of facilities
Millennials moving church members to the community
Re-examination of church budgets
Church revitalization
















Six Ways Toxic Members Deter Invitations to Church

by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership

http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/rainerpodcast/Rainer-on-Leadership/Episode556.mp3








Six Reasons a Healthy Culture Is Imperative for Inviting Others to Church

by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership

http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/rainerpodcast/Rainer-on-Leadership/Episode557.mp3








Six Reasons You Should Invite People to a Revitalizing Church

by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Revitalize & Replant

http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/rainerpodcast/Revitalize-and-Replant/RR-Episode103.mp3