July 18, 2018
Leading Ideas from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
7 Tips for Avoiding Digital Communication Disasters
Church Consultant Joel Snider says that serious congregational conflicts can be caused or exacerbated by the poor use of electronic communication. Congregations can work to develop a common understanding of appropriate and inappropriate uses of digital communication, says Snider, and he offers seven key principles for forging a digital communication covenant. Read more now: https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/7-tips-for-avoiding-digital-communication-disasters?id=li20180718
7 Ways Congregations Can Respond to the #MeToo Movement
The #MeToo movement has been a wakeup call regarding the pervasiveness of sexual harassment and misconduct in virtually every sector of society, including the church. The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women has outlined ways that a congregation can respond to victims and help prevent further abuse. Read more now: https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/7-ways-congregations-can-respond-to-the-metoo-moment?id=li20180718
“Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.”
Sondra Wheeler, an ethicist on the faculty of Wesley Theological Seminary, offers three questions for pastors to consider when determining whether to disclose personal information to the congregation.
* Why am I choosing to share this information?
* What purpose do I hope telling this will serve, and is this the best way to achieve it?
* What other effects, besides the one I intend, are likely to come from sharing this story in this setting?
Want more Right Questions? Read “Right Questions for Church Leaders” at https://www.churchleadership.com/books/right-questions-for-church-leaders/
#YouToo
Protect your congregation and your ministry with Keeping Our Sacred Trust — online training on the ethical boundaries in ministry. Courses include “Understanding Clergy Sexual Ethics” and “Maintaining Boundaries in a Digital Age.” Keeping Our Sacred Trust is open to clergy of any denomination and non-denominational pastors. Courses are $49 and include .5 CEU. Learn more and enroll today: https://www.lewisonlinelearning.org/?id=li20180718
8 Reasons People Aren’t Listening to Announcements
This weekend, all across the country, leaders are going to get up in front of their churches and talk about upcoming events and opportunities to connect with the community. They want to move people to action, but a large portion of those in the room will simply tune out during that part of the service and then tune back in when something more interesting comes along. Pastor Rich Birch explains why in “To the Point: 8 Reason People Aren’t Listening to Announcements.” Read now and download free: https://www.churchleadership.com/to-the-point/point-eight-reasons-people-arent-listening-announcements?id=li20180718
Quotable Leadership
“Never write something on the web that you would not say to a person’s face.” — Jon Meacham
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 ten ways to help churches move from just saying what they intend to actually doing it. This book provides tools to help congregations re-frame the Good News in nontraditional 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=li20180718
4 Ways to Write a Right Thank You Letter
People want to feel like they matter. When they make a donation, they want validation their gift has made a difference. That’s definitely something your church can easily and happily make happen, says Stewardship consultant Cesie Delve Scheuermann. In her blog “Inspiring Generosity,” she describes four ways to “write a right” thank you letter. Read more now: https://www.umoi.org/blogdetail/11582941?id=li20180718