March 11, 2020
Leading Ideas from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
6 Steps Your Congregation Should Take in Response to the Coronavirus
Tom Pruski outlines six steps congregations should take in response to the coronavirus in keeping with guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control. Pruski, a registered nurse, is director of Wesley Theological Seminary’s Heal the Sick Initiative that equips leaders for congregational health ministries. Read more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/6-steps-your-congregation-should-take-in-response-to-the-coronavirus/?id=li20200311
Are You Teaching People about Faith? Or How to Practice It?
Johannah Myers describes a paradigm shift in how we form disciples with a move away from Christian education toward an emphasis on forming people in the practices of the faith. In place of age-level classrooms she sees a need to help people of all ages live out their faith through intergenerational mentoring and experiential learning. Read more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/are-you-teaching-people-about-faith-or-how-to-practice-it/?id=li20200311
The Right Question
“Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.”
There are many ways to assess how a church or a pastor is doing. While there are relevant statistical measures that can give clues, Robert LaRochelle suggests some topics that get at “how things are going” between a pastor and congregation at a basic level needed for their work together. These can be stated as four questions:
* Does the congregation feel that their pastoral needs are being met?
* Does the congregation experience the pastor’s interest in the church?
* Is the congregation aware of a positive energy and a sense of meaning found through worship and preaching?
* Does the pastor feel that he or she is affirmed by the congregation and that her or his pastoral skills are being well utilized?
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?id=li20200311
8 Reasons People Aren’t Listening to Announcements
This weekend, leaders across the country are going to get up in front of their churches and talk about upcoming events and opportunities to connect with the community. They will be hoping to move people to action. Unfortunately, a large portion of those in the room will simply tune out 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=li20200311
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 “Overflow: Increase Worship Attendance & Bear More Fruit”
Worship attendance matters. In “Overflow,” authors Lovett Weems and Tom Berlin share research-based insights, tactical ideas, and practices that lead to increased attendance. They instruct church leaders on the importance of paying attention to factors critical to worship growth and demonstrate new approaches to worship planning. Learn more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/books/overflow-increase-worship-attendance-bear-more-fruit?id=li20200311
Quotable Leadership
“God hath said that his daughters should prophesy as well as his sons.” — Margaret Fell, Women’s Speaking Justified, 1666
Video-based Adult Study and E-book
“Leading Like Nehemiah: Rebuilding Together”
Church leaders have always looked to scripture for wisdom on how to fulfill their callings. This six-session video-based study curriculum points out key themes in Nehemiah’s witness that can inspire and guide faith leaders today. The accompanying Study and Discussion Guide provides scriptures, introductory information, discussion questions, and prayers to structure group conversation about the subject of each video. An e-book is also included with the study or may be purchased separately. Learn more about the study and e-book now. https://www.churchleadership.com/product/nehemiah-leadership/?id=li20200311
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