Tony Myles writes:  I once worked in a job where I feared for my job… everyday. And I wasn’t alone. It wasn’t because of the economy, and it wasn’t because we were all bad employees. It was because our boss was insecure and came across like a lion to everyone. He was someone who only cared about the idea of success than in creating the environment for it. I’ve been in the exact opposite situation, though. I’ve served in church staff teams where we were so inspired by the character and direction of our main leader that we climbed over ourselves to be a part of what...

Bud Brown shares some metrics that he thinks would make megachurches much more visitor friendly.  See if you agree.  He writes: Mega-church staff and pastors are trapped in a dilemma created by the Church Growth movement – the assumption that bigger is better and that attendance inevitably produces spiritual maturity. This perspective on the disciple making process inevitably leads to metrics like attendance, income, visitor returns and so forth. In time the relentless demands of schedules, logistics, and buildings become the vision; keeping the machine running smoothly becomes the mission, and it...

How do you deal with chronic complainers in your church?  Have you ever wanted to tell someone to just leave your church?  Would you ever have the guts to do as this pastor did? Is it right to wish some people would just leave your church?  And would it be better if they did leave to help you accomplish your mission? Lots of questions here… maybe more questions than answers… but it may help you the next time you’re confronted by a ‘serial church complainer’… CLICK IMAGE TO WATCH VIDEO (Length:  5 min 02 sec) Subscribe to MinistryBriefing on YouTube What do YOU...

Well, it’s probably your first day back in the office for 2013. But what if you’re ALREADY in a bad mood? How do you snap out of it? Tim Sanders offers some suggestions: 1.  Admit it.  You’re in a bad mood.  Tell someone.  Your assistant.  Your spouse.  A co-worker.  A fair warning serves two purposes: it gives a heads-up to people, and serves to give you a reminder that you need to get it under control before it ruins your day. 2.  Try to figure out WHY you’re in a bad mood.  Something set you off.  Bad sleep?  A fight with your spouse/kids?  A problem at work that...

David Murrow, the director of Church from Men, has some ideas: 1.  The midsize congregation will disappear. 2.  An explosion of satellite campuses and microchurches 3.  A small number of cutting-edge megachurches led by amazingly talented communicators. 4.  No denominations. 5.  America will have about 200 well-known preachers by 2062. 6.  More money spent on mission. 7.  We’ll need a lot fewer preachers. 8.  We’ll need a lot more campus pastors. 9.  Small group ministry will be more important in 60 years than it is today. 10.  Microchurches and megachurches will cooperate for...

Where would Americans be if churches didn’t make outreach a priority? Many would feel the pain of unmet needs for basics such as food and clothing, not to mention a slow-down in disaster recovery efforts. For many hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy, it was churches that provided the first signs of relief. In fact, a new survey –Outlook for Outreach – shows that of the 58% of churches in America that provide hands-on assistance for causes throughout our country, 75% of them engage in national disaster relief efforts. To better quantify how churches engage in outreach ministries to provide...

Eric Geiger has some great tips on interviewing for your next church staff member position.  Eric writes: If you are a leader, you know that having the right players on the team is absolutely essential in fulfilling the mission the Lord has given your ministry. Thus, the recruiting and interviewing process is very important. In looking back at all the interviews I have been a part of, here are five red flags that give me great caution in taking a next step with a potential team member. 1 – No questions If someone asks no questions, it gives me the impression that they are passive, that they are not...

Casey Tygrett shares three measurement devices for elders and local church leaders regarding spiritual growth and formation that will bring light and life to situations stuck in darkness. Are you regularly engaging with Scripture, both individually and as a leadership team? Leaders committed to wrestling with the narrative of God both alone and in their group have put themselves in a position to be corrected, humbled, and augmented for the sake of others. Being open to the Scriptures is a posture that embraces the mission of God in the world today. Scripture refines the lenses through which the mission...

Do you strive for a healthy team? There is nothing more fun (and more exciting) than being a part of a ministry team that is running on all cylinders. But many teams never get there.  How is your team doing in achieving unity? Kem Meyer has some great insights on what makes great teams really work: We’ve got to do it together. Every person has their role in the family effort. And there are threads that weave every role and relationship together like a fabric. That’s what makes us a team. VISION. Vision is a picture of what could be and should be. It binds us together, it invites others to what...

Will Mancini writes: Every year, Outreach Magazine provides a profile of the 100 Fastest-growing churches in the country. This year, they had a few interview spots entitled, “What I wish someone told me.” What really struck me are the common threads on vision and alignment. Look for how these pastors discuss clarity and unique calling. The big themes are as follows: Radical emphasis on mission and vision (including values and strategy) Willingness to “let people go” who don’t align with the vision Commitment to stop programs and cut ministry not aligned with the vision Now, listen to their...