February 13, 2019
Leading Ideas from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
6 Indicators Your Church is Effectively Engaging People
Worship attendance and revenue figures don’t tell the whole story in gauging your church’s effectiveness. Rich Birch suggests some novel indicators that can reveal growth and engagement — from how many gallons of coffee are consumed weekly to the ratio of kids to adults. Read more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/6-indicators-your-church-is-effectively-engaging-people?id=li20190213
7 Steps to Reengage Your Community
Candace Lewis and Rodney Smothers say that churches must leave their buildings, identify community needs, and walk alongside neighbors in order to make a difference. They outline seven steps to engage people and the real issues they confront. Read more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/7-steps-to-reengage-your-community?id=li20190213
The Right Question
“Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.”
Paul Nutt’s research has found that “whether or not” decisions failed 52 percent of the time whereas decisions made after considering more than two options failed 32 percent of the time. Nutt says “whether or not” decisions cause leaders to ask the wrong questions, such as “How can I make this work?” or “How can I get my colleagues behind me?” He suggests that better questions are:
* Is there a better way?
* What else could we do?
Want more Right Questions? Read “Right Questions for Church Leaders” at https://www.churchleadership.com/books/right-questions-for-church-leaders/
Learn to Connect with Your Church’s Neighbors
The “Connect with Your Neighbors” Video Tool Kit provides you tools and strategies to welcome your neighbors and improve worship attendance. Topics include: The Theology of Welcome; Discovering the People God has Given Us; Ways to Understand Your Neighbors Better; Discovering Who Your Neighbors Are; Needs-based Community Outreach; and more. Learn more and watch introductory videos. https://www.churchleadership.com/product/connect-with-your-neighbors-download?id=li20190213
50 Ways to Engage Local Schools
Many congregations find that reaching out to their local schools is an important way to serve children and families and strengthen ties with the broader community. These 50 tips can help you engage your local school effectively. Read now and download free. https://www.churchleadership.com/50-ways/50-ways-to-engage-local-schools?id=li20190213
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
Read “Not Safe for Church”
Congregations say they want to reach new and younger people. In “Not Safe for Church: Ten Commandments for Reaching New Generations,” Lewis Center Director Doug Powe and Pastor Jasmine Smothers give 10 ways to help churches move from just saying what they intend to do to actually doing it. This book provides tools to help congregations reframe the Good News in non-traditional ways plus study questions for church leadership teams. Learn more and order now. https://www.churchleadership.com/books/not-safe-church-ten-commandments-reaching-new-generations?id=li20190213
Quotable Leadership
“Make no mistake, the process of innovation is a process of failure. By nature, innovation is a continual learning process.” — Peter Senge
Apply Now for Doctor of Ministry in Church Leadership at Wesley
New cohort begins May 2019 in Washington, DC
“The coursework and faculty were passionate and diverse, delving into cutting-edge areas and methods I had never used or considered. The development of my own project changed the direction of my work and ministry forever.” — United Methodist pastor
Wesley Theological Seminary and the Lewis Center together offer a Doctor of Ministry in Church Leadership Excellence. With this track, clergy will receive the enhanced knowledge, skills, and motivation to increase congregational and denominational service, vitality, and growth. Learn more and apply today. https://www.churchleadership.com/doctor-of-ministry-in-church-leadership-excellence?id=li20190213
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