February 20, 2019
Leading Ideas from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
How to Grow the Leaders Your Church Needs to Thrive
Michael Kurtz describes a simple but profound leadership development formula in which each leader is responsible for mentoring new leaders and creating the expectation that those new leaders will also mentor others. It is a leadership succession plan begun by Jesus himself. Read more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/leaders-nurture-leaders-who-nurture-other-leaders?id=li20190220
Leading Ideas Talks Podcast: Episode 27
“Breaking Free of Racist Systems and Structures in Your Congregation” featuring Amanda Poppei
How can a congregation focus intentionally on addressing implicit racism within its own institutional and community life? In this episode Amanda Poppei, Senior Leader of the Washington Ethical Society, describes how her community has made anti-racism work an overarching priority — shaping its identity and congregational practices. Listen now. https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/episode-27-how-an-anti-racism-focus-can-shape-a-congregations-priorities-and-practices-featuring-amanda-poppei?id=li20190220
Telling a More Inclusive Story
Amanda Poppei’s Washington, DC, congregation is engaged in an anti-racism effort aimed at countering racist assumptions embedded in their congregational life and practices. This effort led them to rethink how to tell the story of a recent capital campaign in a more inclusive way that honored the contributions of many throughout the history of their building. Read more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/episode-27-how-an-anti-racism-focus-can-shape-a-congregations-priorities-and-practices-featuring-amanda-poppei?id=li20190220
The Right Question
“Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.”
Some churches are wondering if their church name still fits? Shawn Stewart offers six questions for churches to consider before renaming the church.
Why do we want to rename our church? What is our church’s history? Where are we headed? What common themes seem to repeat in the life of our church? What kind of names are we drawn to? How could our new name be interpreted negatively?
Want more Right Questions? Read “Right Questions for Church Leaders” at https://www.churchleadership.com/books/right-questions-for-church-leaders/
“More Church Leaders | Stronger Church Leaders” Video Tool Kit
Learn strategies to identify and support new leaders and build and maintain effective ministry teams. “More Church Leaders | Stronger Church Leaders” helps clergy and lay leaders, in churches both large and small, discover a more synergistic and fruitful way of being in ministry together. The tool kit includes engaging videos, handouts, and supplementary materials. Learn more and watch video previews. https://www.churchleadership.com/product/church-leaders-stronger-church-leaders?id=li20190220
50 Ways to Welcome New People
How can your congregation make a good first impression with first-time visitors? “50 Ways to Welcome New People” provides strategies and tips to ensure your visitors feel truly welcome and at home in worship, plus guidance on visitor follow-ups and ways to be more inviting in your church. Read now and download free. https://www.churchleadership.com/50-ways/50-ways-to-welcome-new-people?id=li20190220
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
Free Video Study: “Moving Faith Communities Forward”
“Moving Faith Communities Forward” is a dialogue about race in America and may be used to help your church bring people together to talk about moving forward bravely and boldly in the name of Christ. The resource is divided into four 15-minute videos that may be used in one or more sessions. Moving Faith Communities Forward is sponsored by the Community Engagement Institute at Wesley Theological Seminary. Watch now. https://www.churchleadership.com/videos/moving-faith-communities-fruitful-conversations-race/?id=li20190220
Quotable Leadership
“Funny how pride, racism, sexism, and ageism become luxuries we cannot afford when our survival is at stake.” — Rebecca D. Costa
Adult Education Study: “Women Speak of God”
From the earliest days of the church, women have spoken and written of their faith. This eight-session study introduces us to the voices of six women who struggled with issues of identity, character, and calling, and who were able to attest to God’s living presence amidst their struggles. “Women Speak of God” is ideal for women and men in your congregation’s small groups, adult Bible studies, and Sunday School classes who want to grow in faith and see how God works in difficult times and places. Learn more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/product/women-speak-god?id=li20190220
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