July 22, 2020
“Leading Ideas” from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
Are Your Pandemic Giving Systems as Effective as the Offering Plate?
Due to COVID19 restrictions must churches have adopted new ways of taking up the collection. Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff says it’s important that these new methods honor the central role of offering in worship and invite everyone to give. Read more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/are-your-pandemic-giving-systems-as-effective-as-the-offering-plate/
Leading Ideas Talks Podcast: Episode 60
“How to Be a Hero Maker” featuring Dave Ferguson
How can you activate the gifts of others and multiply the impact of your ministry? In this episode we speak with Dave Ferguson about becoming a “hero maker” by focusing on making those around you great leaders. Listen now or read transcript. https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/episode-60-how-to-be-a-hero-maker-featuring-dave-ferguson/
The Challenging Climate for U.S. Congregations
The average congregation is getting smaller with a median size of around 60 attenders, reports Scott Thumma, director of the Hartford Institute for Religious Research. At the same time, a small percentage of large congregations accounts for around half of weekly worship attendance and increasingly dominates the religious landscape. Read more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/the-challenging-climate-for-us-congregations/
COVID-19 Resources
Leading Ideas articles, podcast episodes, and links. Visit https://www.churchleadership.com/tag/covid-19/
The Right Question
“Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.”
When interviewing someone for a position, if you are looking for someone with potential for innovation and creativity, some suggest that you pay attention to look for wide-ranging interests and as they describe their past work, keep in mind this question:
* Do they tend to focus on intersections with other systems and the work of others?
* Want more Right Questions? Read Right Questions for Church Leaders.
Want more Right Questions? Read “Right Questions for Church Leaders” at https://www.churchleadership.com/books/right-questions-for-church-leaders/.
Teach Others Why We Give
Designed to nurture the spiritual discipline of giving, “Theology of Stewardship and Biblical Generosity” may be used in conjunction with an annual stewardship campaign or in a variety of Christian education settings. This video tool kit is ecumenical and may be used for self study or with groups. Featured topics: Stewardship 101; What the Bible Teaches about Giving; A Christian Understanding of Money, Possessions, and Generosity; Biblical Generosity; and Faith and Generosity. Learn more and watch an introductory video now. https://www.churchleadership.com/product/theology-of-stewardship-and-biblical-generosity-download/
Please Take this Survey on COVID-19 Impacts on Your Church
How is the COVID-19 crisis impacting your congregation? We invite you to take a survey from the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving. The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete and includes general questions about your congregation and how it has been impacted by COVID-19. Thank you for your participation! Learn take the survey now. https://iu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2fAds2RN0IcaoW9
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
Connecting Generosity to Faith
What will it take to help church members practice what Robert Schnase calls “extravagant generosity”? In “To the Point: Connecting Generosity to Faith,” Wesley Theological Seminary President David McAllister-Wilson says we can ask three questions about how to take next steps to connect faith and generosity more effectively. Read now and download free.
Quotable Leadership
“Of all the work that leaders of congregations and denominations do, the most difficult task may be moving from aspirations and activities to actual outcomes.” — Gil Rendle
Video-based Adult Study Curriculum: “In God’s Time: The Bible and the Future”
Regularly $75 — Now only $5 through July 31
“The End Times and Revelation according to Hollywood and bestselling fiction are not the End Times as revealed in the Bible.”
In this 10-session study, Dr. Craig Hill makes eschatology — the study of the “Last Things” — and the book of Revelation understandable to laypeople and experts alike. “In God’s Time” avoids the extremes of pulp fiction and high scholarly debate and instead opens up the entire Bible — encouraging Christians to take seriously the hope of God’s ultimate victory. Learn more and view a sample of the Session 1 video and Participant’s Guide. https://www.churchleadership.com/product/in-gods-time/
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