March 6, 2019
Leading Ideas from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
Kindness is the New Evangelism
Andrew Ponder Williams says that simple acts of kindness can counter the dominant cultural narrative of meanness and be a powerful way for the church to connect with others. Kindness, he suggests, is the new evangelism. Read more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/kindness-is-the-new-evangelism?id=li20190306
Leading Ideas Talks Podcast: Episode 28
“Faith and Public Life” featuring Mike McCurry
How can people of faith bring their values to work in government and the public square? In this episode Ann Michel speaks with Mike McCurry, former White House Press Secretary and Director of Wesley Theological Seminary’s Center for Public Theology. Listen now. https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/episode-28-faith-and-public-life-featuring-mike-mccurry?id=li20190306
Mission is Constant but Methods Must Change
Leaders need to be ready to deal with change, says Jim Cowart. But it’s important to recognize the difference between the church’s mission, which is unchanging, and methods, which must often be updated to serve the age-old mission. Read more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/mission-is-constant-but-methods-must-change?id=li20190306
The Right Question
“Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.”
Churches can find themselves spending more and more time and energy on things relatively unrelated to their core mission. One method to identify “mission creep” is to first name and clarify the stated mission, then list all church activities, and then rank or score them using the following question:
* To what extent does this effort contribute to advancing our mission?
Want more Right Questions? Read “Right Questions for Church Leaders” at https://www.churchleadership.com/books/right-questions-for-church-leaders/
50 Ways to Take Church to the Community
Churches can no longer open their doors and expect that people will come in. Effective congregations go into the world to encounter those in need of the gospel. “50 Ways to Take Church to the Community” provides tips on reaching beyond the walls of your church with worship, community events, ministries, and service. Read now and download free. https://www.churchleadership.com/50-ways/50-ways-to-take-church-to-the-community/?id=li20190306
Online CEU Course: “The Methodist Class Leader”
$49 for .5 CEU
This Lewis Center online course examines the historic significance and contemporary relevance of class leaders, a role essential to the success of early Methodism and an effective means of nurturing discipleship. The course draws on the extensive work of Dr. David Lowes Watson, a leading scholar of Methodist history and an advocate for the revitalization of the office of class leader to provide a more intentional approach to faith formation and accountable discipleship in today’s church. Learn more about the course and enroll. https://lewisonlinelearning.org/
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 “New Wine, New Wineskins: How African American Congregations Can Reach New Generations”
Douglas Powe suggests that the African American church, while once the bedrock of the community, is no longer on the radar for many. “New Wine, New Wineskins” helps African American congregations understand and benefit from the cultural shifts we are now experiencing. The worthy goals of serving justice and bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ now require new practices and fresh ideas — new wine. Powe says, “The old framework just won’t work anymore. We need new wineskins.” Learn more and order now. https://www.churchleadership.com/books/new-wine-new-wineskins-african-american-congregations-can-reach-new-generations?id=li20190306
Quotable Leadership
“Leadership is energizing a community of people toward their own transformation in order to accomplish a shared mission in the face of a changing world.” — Tod Bolsinger
Pastors Moving to New Churches Need the Right Start
Are you a pastor preparing to begin ministry in a new setting? With The Right Start Video Tool Kit, you’ll learn how to end your current ministry well, develop a personal transition plan, and make the most of your first days, weeks, and months in your new congregation. “The Right Start” is available in both Pastor’s and Group Training Versions. Learn more and watch a video preview. https://www.churchleadership.com/product/the-right-start-pastors-version-download?id=li20190306
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