Tag «Leading Ideas»

Online Worship Services Appeal to Many, but In-Person Remains More Popular

A recent survey by Pew Research Center found that about a quarter of U.S. adults regularly watch religious services online or on TV, and most of them are highly satisfied with the experience. At the same time, Americans tend to give even higher marks to worshipping together in person. And those who do both — […]

The post Online Worship Services Appeal to Many, but In-Person Remains More Popular appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Small Church Big Impact

Blake Bradford shares how smaller congregations can use their unique giftedness to fulfill their mission. He says smaller churches can enhance their vitality by clarifying their purpose, engaging their community, leveraging relational intimacy to reach people and build disciples, and rightsizing their leadership and governance structures. To celebrate the Lewis Center’s anniversary, we are highlighting […]

The post Small Church Big Impact appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Keep Your Bucket Full of Energy and Compassion

Alan Baker highlights the importance of self-care for pastoral care providers to keep their personal buckets filled so that they are not emptied by burnout and compassion fatigue. He offers ways for church leaders and chaplains to enhance their practice of self-care and build resilience. Your personal health is an important aspect of self-care. Christian […]

The post Keep Your Bucket Full of Energy and Compassion appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

13 Do’s & Don’ts for Incoming Cross-Racial and Cross-Cultural Pastors

How can an incoming pastoral leader lay the groundwork for successful ministry in a congregation where most members are from a different racial or cultural background? The United Methodist General Commission on Religion and Race shares “Do’s and Don’ts” to help new clergy leaders in cross-cultural ministry partnerships begin on the right foot. 1. Honor […]

The post 13 Do’s & Don’ts for Incoming Cross-Racial and Cross-Cultural Pastors appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Who are The Nones?: An In-Depth Interview with Ryan Burge

The rapid growth in the percentage of Americans claiming no religious affiliation is drastically reshaping the country’s religious and cultural landscape. Ann Michel of the Lewis Center interviews Dr. Ryan Burge, a leading expert on the “Nones,” about the characteristics of the growing cohort of Americans who say their religion is “nothing in particular.” Ann […]

The post Who are The Nones?: An In-Depth Interview with Ryan Burge appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Who are The Nones?: An In-Depth Interview with Ryan Burge

The post Who are The Nones?: An In-Depth Interview with Ryan Burge appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Engaging Children Through Active Wondering

Tanya Campen describes how engaging children through active wondering creates space for them to share freely and nurtures honest conversation. She equips teachers and guides to shepherd children in the holy work of active wondering. Active wondering creates space for authentic and honest conversation. “I wonder” questions present an invitation into holy conversation. They create […]

The post Engaging Children Through Active Wondering appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

5 Essential Qualities of Effective Evangelism

Priscilla Pope-Levison’s book, Models of Evangelism, studies eight influential approaches to evangelism, everything from visitation and revivalism to social media. She finds that regardless of the method deployed, five qualities are essential to effective evangelism — hospitality, relationships, integrity, sharing the Christian message, and rootedness in the church. To celebrate the Lewis Center’s anniversary, we […]

The post 5 Essential Qualities of Effective Evangelism appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Who will be God’s Agents of Pastoral Calling?

Many pastors recall that it was another pastor who first invited them to consider their call to ministry. Yet it seems fewer and fewer pastors today feel comfortable initiating these conversations. This paradox has promoted the Lewis Center’s Religious Workforce Project Research Team to wonder who will be God’s agents of pastoral calling? In interviews […]

The post Who will be God’s Agents of Pastoral Calling? appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

5 Guideposts for Reshaping Your Staff Team

Susan Beaumont says many churches see a need to reconfigure their staffing in this new era. She outlines five guidelines to frame a better conversation about the design of your church’s staffing structure. The pandemic unraveled staff team structures. Resignations and retirements were at an all-time high. Downsizing was necessary for some congregations. Others hired […]

The post 5 Guideposts for Reshaping Your Staff Team appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.