Tag «Church Answers»

Behind the Decline: Unraveling the Forgotten Reasons of Fading Neighborhood Churches

No doubt you’ve heard the phrase, “There goes the neighborhood.” Historically, it has been associated with ethnic minorities moving into white neighborhoods. I don’t believe most people use the phrase today in such a way. However, during the civil rights movement and the following decades, many white neighborhood churches changed locations, often moving to the…

The post Behind the Decline: Unraveling the Forgotten Reasons of Fading Neighborhood Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

Four Reasons Why Church Giving Is Up While Attendance Is Down

The median attendance of a church in 2023 is 60, down from 65 in 2020. That’s the bad news. But giving is up. That is the good news. Giving in congregation jumped significantly, from a median of about $120,000 in 2020 to $170,000 in 2023. That is an increase of 42% over the past three…

The post Four Reasons Why Church Giving Is Up While Attendance Is Down appeared first on Church Answers.

The Neighborhood Church Returns: Making the Comeback a Reality

Neighborhood churches tend to be small or midsize and well-established. For years, we have dismissed the potential for a significant move of God in these churches. I believe they are primed for a comeback. They are numerous, and they are located in the heart of places with lots of people. I believe in this comeback…

The post The Neighborhood Church Returns: Making the Comeback a Reality appeared first on Church Answers.

A Simple Way for Leaders to Start the Day with God

Let me be honest with you. I’m busy. Too busy, in fact. I go to bed with things to do on my mind, and I wake up with even more things to do on my mind. Somedays it feels like I’m on the proverbial hamster wheel, wearing myself out while getting nowhere. In the midst…

The post A Simple Way for Leaders to Start the Day with God appeared first on Church Answers.

Five New Challenges for the “Post-Post” Pandemic Church

We have written and presented numerous insights and information about the effects of the pandemic on churches. I even wrote a small book called The Post Quarantine Church. The essence of our information was straightforward: negative church trends were accelerated and exacerbated in the pandemic and for the several months after churches regathered in-person. In…

The post Five New Challenges for the “Post-Post” Pandemic Church appeared first on Church Answers.

The New Golden Handcuffs for Pastors (It’s Mortgage Rates)

The real estate market is encouraging some pastors to stay put. For now. Rising interest rates produce a “golden handcuff” effect on the housing market. Golden handcuffs refer to a set of financial incentives that employers use to encourage certain employees to remain with a company. These incentives are typically tied to some conditions that…

The post The New Golden Handcuffs for Pastors (It’s Mortgage Rates) appeared first on Church Answers.

Do I Really Need to Be a Member of a Church?

This question and its ensuing discussion continues. Do I really need to be a member of a church? We need to first separate the concept of church membership from other types of organizational membership. Church membership is not like civic club membership, even though many civic organizations do have altruistic purposes. Church membership is definitely…

The post Do I Really Need to Be a Member of a Church? appeared first on Church Answers.

Finishing Well: Navigating Leadership with the End in Mind

I had the privilege of hosting a podcast episode featuring the incredible Kay Warren, where we delved into life, leadership, and the art of finishing well after decades of leadership. One particular remark she shared has been playing on repeat in my mind ever since our talk. I asked her for some advice to pass…

The post Finishing Well: Navigating Leadership with the End in Mind appeared first on Church Answers.

Making the Decision to Go to Seminary: Six Considerations Before Going

They inevitably find their way into my office, excited about God’s calling on their lives. I’ve had several conversations with people wanting advice about attending a seminary (or a similar institution). God has called them to ministry. They feel seminary will add clarity to this calling. Perhaps. But before a seminary education can help with…

The post Making the Decision to Go to Seminary: Six Considerations Before Going appeared first on Church Answers.

10 Things that Surprise Rookie Pastors

I’ve worked with students and graduates in their first pastorates for almost three decades. Over the years, I’ve often asked them, “What’s most surprised you about the work of pastoring?” In no order of priority, here are some of their responses: “How hard it is to prepare a sermon week after week.” What was so…

The post 10 Things that Surprise Rookie Pastors appeared first on Church Answers.