Tag «Administration & Finance»

Shifting Your Church Out of Survival Mode and into Hopeful Optimism

Many churches are barely hanging on, but there is hope. Churches are simultaneously both fragile and resilient. They hang on by their fingernails, but those fingernails are surprisingly strong. Every Sunday seems to have the potential to be the last one. Yet the same church survives year after year, decade after decade. Struggling churches tend…

The post Shifting Your Church Out of Survival Mode and into Hopeful Optimism appeared first on Church Answers.

Nine Microstresses of a Pastor

December 15, 1967 was a major moment in American history. I bet few of you know what happened on that day. I sure didn’t until I began studying the world of microstresses. Let me explain. On that fateful day in 1967, the Silver Bridge collapsed, and 46 people died. The bridge connected Point Pleasant, West…

The post Nine Microstresses of a Pastor appeared first on Church Answers.

The Top Three Ways Lead Pastors Can Serve the Second Chair

The second chair position is paradoxical for two reasons. First, a second chair involves the tension of submitting as a subordinate to the first chair while at the same time leading with a high level of influence. Second chairs maintain a dependence on the first chair while at the same time managing the significant amounts…

The post The Top Three Ways Lead Pastors Can Serve the Second Chair appeared first on Church Answers.

Predicting Your Worship Attendance for the Next Year

Can you really predict your church’s worship attendance for the next year? Our answer is “maybe.” I know such certainty gives you a lot of comfort! Here’s the reality: the answer is in God’s hands. His Spirit can move as He pleases. So why would we even attempt to project worship attendance? It’s a fair…

The post Predicting Your Worship Attendance for the Next Year appeared first on Church Answers.

This One Meeting Revolutionized How I Listen to My Church Staff

“You’re missing an opportunity to listen,” the consultant told me. He was kind but blunt. I knew he was right. “Start meeting with each team member one-on-one, at least once a month.” I followed his advice and have not looked back. These one-on-ones have helped me lead the church staff unlike anything else. Setting up…

The post This One Meeting Revolutionized How I Listen to My Church Staff appeared first on Church Answers.

The Right Way to Seek Pastors and Church Staff for Your Church

Almost every week we at Church Answers hear from search committees (or their equivalent). They are frustrated because they can’t find quality candidates for pastor or church staff positions. The process has taken much longer than they anticipated. Members of the church are getting restless and, sometimes, critical. Likewise, we hear from pastors and church…

The post The Right Way to Seek Pastors and Church Staff for Your Church appeared first on Church Answers.

How Sensible Pastors React to Harsh Public Criticism

One pastor had a group of people circulate a petition to get him fired. They tried to get signatures in the foyer as members walked into church for Sunday services. Another pastor experienced the creation of a Facebook page dedicated to criticizing every aspect of his preaching and leadership. In a small town, a pastor…

The post How Sensible Pastors React to Harsh Public Criticism appeared first on Church Answers.

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…

The post Why Work from Home Won’t Work for the Church appeared first on Church Answers.

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…

The post Five Questions for Churches as Worship Gatherings Become Smaller appeared first on Church Answers.

Seven Considerations If You Are a Church Member Planning on Leaving Your Church

You’ve been with your church for a while now. Something is now urging you to leave the church. We will not get into evaluating your reasons. Let’s just say you have made the decision, or you are close to making that decision. Let’s assume you are not moving to another location. You are leaving your…

The post Seven Considerations If You Are a Church Member Planning on Leaving Your Church appeared first on Church Answers.