Notable Voices and the Week in Review: September 21, 2019

The Six Most Simple Adjustments to Be... Pray for First Church of Christ—Bradford

Notable Voices and the Week in Review: September 21, 2019

From Around the Web:

Seven Points of Prayer: How We Revitalized Our Staff Meetings — Sam Rainer

Our staff meetings lacked something, but we couldn’t put our finger on it. The time together was not a disaster. There were ups and downs, good days and tense days. Things got done. But spiritually, something was missing. That’s when our new senior adult minister, Jim, pointed to our problem—prayer. We were praying in every meeting, but we weren’t praying for specifics in each other’s lives. He came up with a plan. His plan revitalized our staff meetings.

5 Mistakes Church Leaders Make When Attendance Declines — Facts & Trends

Every church I’ve served has had ups and downs with attendance. Some seasons are times of growth—which are fun because the staff is energized, the congregation is happy, and you sleep easy at night. Other seasons are seasons of decline—which can be maddening because the staff is stressed, the congregation is concerned, and you have sleepless nights. Before you start putting together references or blasting out your résumé, let me warn you of five common mistakes church leaders often make when attendance declines.

4 Myths that Keep College Students from Joining a Church — Jim Davis

Most church-going college students never join a church during their time away, electing either to retain membership at their old church or not join anywhere. The question they ask is this: If I have community, am mentored, receive Bible teaching, and am engaged in mission, then why do I need to join a church? If you’re asking that question, then you’re believing some combination of these four myths.

7 Qualities A Leader Can’t Afford NOT To Have — Carey Nieuwhof

Not all leadership is great leadership. Which raises the question, how do you know you’re a leader worth following? If you’re a Christian, I think this adds another dimension to your leadership. You need to model leadership in a way that reflects the character and heart of Christ. So what exactly does that look like? I’ve met thousands of Christian leaders in my two decades of leadership, and when I think about the leaders I believe are worth following, seven qualities keep rising to the top:

This Week at ThomRainer.com:

Who Should Select Church Staff? Pastor? Search Committee? Personnel Committee? Congregational Vote? Judicatory Authority?

After working with churches for over thirty years, I have seen these issues become points of unity, and I have seen these become points of divisiveness. As a consequence, I have developed the following guidelines…READ MORE

Ten Fears for the American Church

I spend a lot of time on the mission field working with missionaries. I LOVE the local church wherever it is, but I fear more for the American church every time I go overseas. Here are some of my fears…READ MORE