The wise preacher reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:7b that there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” But if you are a pastor, elder or ministry leader then you may feel the tension of discerning which one you need to do at any given moment.
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Church growth writers talk about the bell-shaped curve that characterizes the growth of many churches. The left side of the bell curve is exciting (vision, outreach, growth, etc.), but the right side is challenging (nostalgia, decline, division, etc.).
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What comes to mind when you think of attrition in your church? Perhaps you think about the attrition of membership or attendance. Maybe you think about financial attrition. However, I want to draw your attention to a different and often overlooked category: cultural attrition.
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We live in a day when the busyness of families and the many facets of the culture enticing the hearts and souls of our kids is off the charts. In the last three churches I have served, we found that one of the best tools to combat these challenges is to train Christian parents to celebrate the spiritual and physical milestones of their children.
In the vibrant and sometimes unpredictable world of children’s ministry, the relationship between a kids minister and their pastor can make all the difference. While curriculum, volunteers, and creative programming are essential, the support and leadership of the pastor are foundational to a thriving ministry.
The word legacy refers to anything that is handed down from the past. It can be property, money, good looks, talents—even behaviors such as disciplined routines or bad habits. The ones that come before us, leave behind good things and bad, right things and wrong. They are remembered for something that outlasts them. When it comes to parenting, the thought of leaving a legacy is somewhat terrifying for me!
The church has a solution to the ongoing crises of lostness and loneliness in our communities, says Jana Magruder, director of LifeWay Kids. It's "a solution that's been in front of us for decades."
