August 1, 2018
Leading Ideas from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
5 Lies We Like to Tell About Church Growth
Church Consultant Dan Hotchkiss exposes some of the reassuring lies that cause many churches to stagnate at a comfortable size while ignoring well-established truths about church growth. Growth, he says, requires doing something new. Read more now: https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/5-lies-we-like-to-tell-about-church-growth?id=li20180801
Planning for a Strong Finish to Your Stewardship Campaign
Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff says the success of a pledge drive depends in large part on reaching givers who require a bit more encouragement. So, even after commitment Sunday has come and gone, you need a plan for critical but often overlooked steps such as following up with those who don’t initially respond and thanking those who do. Read more now: https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/planning-for-a-strong-finish-to-your-stewardship-campaign?id=li20180801
The Right Question
“Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.”
Rick Warren says that many churches are asking the wrong question: “What will make our church grow?” He suggests that the right question is:
* What is keeping our church from growing?
Want more Right Questions? Read “Right Questions for Church Leaders” at https://www.churchleadership.com/books/right-questions-for-church-leaders/
Learn to Optimize Your Annual Financial Campaigns
Church members who pledge give 30 percent more than those who do not, and congregations that seek annual financial commitments have significantly higher levels of overall giving. With the Optimizing Annual Financial Campaigns Video Tool Kit, you will learn to reap the harvest of generosity through best practices to make your annual financial campaign more effective. Learn more and watch introductory videos: https://www.churchleadership.com/product/optimizing-annual-financial-campaigns-download?id=li20180801
50 Ways to Increase Active Engagement
Strong and growing congregations typically have a very high percentage of people who are actively involved in learning, serving, and leading. These 50 tips will help your congregation increase active engagement. Read now and download free: https://www.churchleadership.com/50-ways/50-ways-to-increase-active-engagement?id=li20180801
Support the Lewis Center
Leading Ideas is made possible by contributions to the Lewis Center for Church Leadership from readers like you. Thank you.
Donate now: https://www.churchleadership.com/support-the-lewis-center?id=leadingideas
Are You Snapping Your Teens? A Case for Snapchat in Church
Snapchat is most likely the social media network of choice for youth in your church. “The fun, casual nature of Snapchat lets you build the kind of intimate relationships people claim can never happen online,” write Rev. Wil Ranney in MyCom newsletter for United Methodist Communications. Learn why you should consider using Snapchat: https://www.umcom.org/learn/are-you-snapping-your-teens-a-case-for-snapchat-in-church?id=li20180801
Quotable Leadership
“The leader is one who mobilizes others toward a goal shared by leader and followers. Leaders, followers, and goals make up the three equally necessary supports for leadership.” — Garry Wills
Read “Overflow: Increase Worship Attendance & Bear More Fruit”
Worship attendance matters. In Overflow, authors Lovett Weems and Tom Berlin share research-based insights, tactical ideas, and practices that lead to increased attendance. They instruct church leaders on the importance of paying attention to factors critical to worship growth and demonstrate new approaches to worship planning. Learn more now: https://www.churchleadership.com/books/overflow-increase-worship-attendance-bear-more-fruit?id=li20180801