June 27, 2018
Leading Ideas from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
Reaching People Who Don’t Look or Act Like “Church People”
Rev. Olu Brown started Impact Church in Atlanta 11 years ago with a group of 25 people. Now, it’s one of the 25 fastest growing churches in the country, with almost 4,400 worshipers weekly, onsite or online. He shares tips on reaching people — even those who don’t look or act like “church people.” Read more: https://dont-look-or-act-like-church-people/?id=li20180627
Leading Ideas Talks Podcast: “Dream Big to Reach New People”
How can dreaming big help your church reach more people? Lewis Center Director F. Douglas Powe, Jr., speaks with Rev. Olu Brown of Impact Church in Atlanta about how to creatively reach new people through extreme hospitality and by dreaming big. Listen now: https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/episode-13-dream-big-to-reach-new-people-featuring-olu-brown?id=social20180627
Stop Taking Givers for Granted
Chris Willard and Jim Sheppard, authors of Contagious Generosity, explain the importance of developing a system to thank givers to celebrate their spiritual growth through giving and encourage greater generosity. Read more: https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/stop-taking-givers-for-granted?id=li20180627
“Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.”
Today most new people encounter your church first through its website. Many church websites will benefit by regularly asking people with different connections with the church to view your website and offer feedback to a few questions, such as:
* Who appears to be the primary audience?
* How would you describe its appearance?
* How would you describe its tone?
* What appears to be the primary purpose?
* How easy is it to use?
* Did you find outdated things or errors/typos?
* What suggestions or advice would you offer to improve our website?
Want more Right Questions? Read “Right Questions for Church Leaders” at https://www.churchleadership.com/books/right-questions-for-church-leaders/
Now Available — “Protect, Sustain, Grow: Best Practices for Handling Your Church’s Money” Video Tool Kit
Managing church finances requires skill, dedication, and know-how, but also the heart of a steward. Protect, Sustain, Grow: Best Practices for Handling Your Church’s Money provides practical advice, best practices, and resources for pastors, finance committee members, church treasurers, financial secretaries, and bookkeepers — all those charged with the sacred trust of protecting, sustaining, and growing the resources God has entrusted to your church. Learn more and watch an introductory video: https://www.churchleadership.com/product/protect-sustain-grow-best-practices-for-handling-your-churchs-money?id=li20180627
50 Ways to Encourage Faithful Giving
Helping people experience the joy of giving is more than a way of funding the church’s ministry. These “50 Ways” of encouraging faithful giving will help your church members grow in discipleship through faithful stewardship and extravagant generosity. Read and download free: https://www.churchleadership.com/50-ways/50-ways-to-encourage-faithful-giving?id=li20180627
Quotable Leadership
“Everyone is charged to lift what is low, to unite what lies apart, to advance what is left behind.” — Abraham Joshua Heschel
Resources for Your Church’s Best Summer Ever
The mission of the church doesn’t take a summer vacation. Browse the Leading Ideas archives for ideas and strategies to help you improve summer worship, serve your neighbors, and do good well through mission. Explore articles on summer now: https://www.churchleadership.com/tag/summer?id=li20180627
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