Category «churchinfluence.com»

3 Practices to Help Pastors Increase Productivity

How can pastors maximize their effectiveness when it comes to time management? Eric Daniel shares three practices to help pastors work more productively and address time management challenges. “Pastor, I know you are busy….” The statement is well intended but should never describe our life and ministry. What happened to the unhurried pastor? Can the […]

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Seven Reasons We Preachers Don’t Always Know What Our Church is Thinking . . . and a Reason to Get a “Know Your Church Report”

I can’t remember how many times I was surprised by what my church members were thinking, even though I was their pastor. What I thought was the case wasn’t always so. How does that happen? 1. We assume we hear everything in the course of ministry. We know we don’t, but we act as if…

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What Is the First Step on the Path to Discipleship after Someone Joins the Church?

They have visited your church frequently. They felt that your church should become their own church home. They went through a membership class. They are now officially part of the church body. Now what? We get that question, or questions similar to it, on a regular basis at Church Answers. In essence, church leaders are…

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Is there a legitimate ministry of 1 Corinthians 15: 28-29?

This is among the most controversial (or most disregarded) scriptures in the whole of the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 15:28-29: When all things are…

Messin’ with Religious People

There are two ways to be religious as a Christian. The first way seeks to build walls and create boundaries using rigid doctrinal dogmas, rituals, and rules so that it can be clarified who is IN and who is OUT. Who is accepted, and who is rejected. Who…

At Least 10 Things Great Churches Are FOR

Just imagine a culture in which the church is thought of as a body of people who are for people, even people who don’t look they would belong in the church. We start down this road as we declare with our words and demonstrate with our actions that our …

Why Work from Home Won’t Work for the Church

A philosophical tug-of-war is occurring in the work world. To what degree should people work from home, and how much time should they spend in the office? Some CEOs are mandating a permanent return to the office on all workdays. Others allow their workers to be remote, even working in other states. Many are splitting…

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Pre-Pandemic Worship Attendance: Not a Helpful Measure

Many churches today lament worship attendance numbers that have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Lovett H. Weems Jr. says this is an unhelpful comparison. He recommends that churches turn their attention away from the past and focus on a bold and future-oriented goal to reach new people in your community. Churches continue to celebrate […]

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6 Traits People Value in Online Faith Communities

In the rush to offer online worship, many churches have focused primarily on technical and programmatic concerns. Heidi Campbell says it’s more important to consider what people need from church now and how digital technology can meet those needs. To celebrate the Lewis Center’s anniversary, we are highlighting Leading Articles — some of our most […]

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Five Questions for Churches as Worship Gatherings Become Smaller

The trend toward smaller gatherings was slow but perceptible prior to the pandemic. That trend is much more noticeable now. Church worship gatherings are getting smaller. Two major factors are contributing to this trend. The obvious factor is an overall attendance decline in churches. Many congregations have fewer members and attendees each year. The second…

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