Tag «Reach New Disciples»

6 Ways to Deepen Your Congregation’s Connection to the Community this Christmas

How can your congregation deepen its connection to the community this holiday season? Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff offers six ways to engage people of all ages, including the groups meeting at your church, in the preparation for and celebration of Christmas. From decorating the sanctuary to decorating cookies and singing beloved carols, […]

The post 6 Ways to Deepen Your Congregation’s Connection to the Community this Christmas first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post 6 Ways to Deepen Your Congregation’s Connection to the Community this Christmas appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Sharing the True Spirit of Christmas in the Places Where Life Happens

Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff suggests that in an age of rampant religious disaffiliation our evangelistic task in the Advent and Christmas seasons may go beyond gathering in less-frequent church attenders, friends, family, and neighbors. She sees a need to help a generation of dechurched young people reclaim the sacred aspects of Christmas […]

The post Sharing the True Spirit of Christmas in the Places Where Life Happens first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Sharing the True Spirit of Christmas in the Places Where Life Happens appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Discipleship and Mission in the Micro Church Movement in Australia: An In-depth Interview with Bree Mills

What are micro churches and how do they disciple missional leaders? Bree Mills, director of Micro Churches Australia shares about the characteristics of micro churches, how they are formed, and how micro church leaders are developed. Listen to this interview, watch the interview video on YouTube, or continue reading. Doug Powe: Bree, I’m so glad you’re […]

The post Discipleship and Mission in the Micro Church Movement in Australia: An In-depth Interview with Bree Mills first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Discipleship and Mission in the Micro Church Movement in Australia: An In-depth Interview with Bree Mills appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

God is Already in Your Neighborhood

Incredible things happen when congregations commit to being present in and praying for the spaces around them. The authors of a new book, Leading Faithful Innovation, share how a neighborhood prayer walk led one church to life-giving relationships and new ways of demonstrating God’s love. Incredible things happen when congregations commit to being present in […]

The post God is Already in Your Neighborhood first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post God is Already in Your Neighborhood appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

7 Questions to Determine if Your Advent Traditions are Still Meaningful

Meghan Hatcher says planning for Advent is the perfect time to assess whether a ministry tradition is still serving its intended purpose. She suggests seven questions to help determine if a long-standing ministry is still offering people a transformative encounter with the Gospel, or if it’s time for a change. At the United Methodist church […]

The post 7 Questions to Determine if Your Advent Traditions are Still Meaningful first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post 7 Questions to Determine if Your Advent Traditions are Still Meaningful appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

What’s Wrong with Thinking of Church as Family?

Lee Ann M. Pomrenke says the beloved metaphor of church as family can stand in the way of a congregation being truly open and inclusive. The church is a movement defined by shared values, commitments, and actions, not a household family linked by a shared heritage or appearances. To celebrate the Lewis Center’s anniversary, we […]

The post What’s Wrong with Thinking of Church as Family? first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post What’s Wrong with Thinking of Church as Family? appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Understanding the Cultural Realities of Children and Youth Today

Janet Craswell and Angela Pupino of National United Methodist Church say ministries with children and youth were severely impacted by the pandemic and are still rebuilding in most churches. They say a truly intergenerational church must embrace the voices and concerns of younger people and acknowledge the unique cultural realities that shape the lives. There […]

The post Understanding the Cultural Realities of Children and Youth Today first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Understanding the Cultural Realities of Children and Youth Today appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Innovating Faithfully through Action Learning Experiments

The authors of a new book, Leading Faithful Innovation, explain how engaging in simple, repeatable, and affordable learning experiments can create an environment where people feel safe trying new things. They provide seven simple steps to help your church employ simple practices to get outside your comfort zone and connect with neighbors in new ways. […]

The post Innovating Faithfully through Action Learning Experiments first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Innovating Faithfully through Action Learning Experiments appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

There Is No Such Thing as Church Revitalization

William Chaney says revitalization is the wrong goal for churches in decline, since it implies a return to the past. Churches need to instead rewrite their DNA by rediscovering their mission, reengaging their neighborhood, and refocusing their resources. To celebrate the Lewis Center’s anniversary, we are highlighting Leading Articles — some of our most popular […]

The post There Is No Such Thing as Church Revitalization first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post There Is No Such Thing as Church Revitalization appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Building Inclusive Communities: An In-Depth Interview with Brandan Robertson

How can church leaders build an inclusive community of faith? Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff interviews Brandan Robertson, the “TikTok Pastor,” about social media ministry, intersectional inclusivity, and the challenges of building inclusive community. Listen to this interview, watch the interview video on YouTube, or continue reading. Jessica Anschutz: Before we talk about your […]

The post Building Inclusive Communities: An In-Depth Interview with Brandan Robertson first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Building Inclusive Communities: An In-Depth Interview with Brandan Robertson appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.