October 14, 2020
“Leading Ideas” from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
10 Ideas for Your 2020 Annual Campaign
Wondering how to approach a stewardship campaign in the era of COVID-19? Ken Sloane offers ideas that affirm the importance of the church’s ongoing mission while being sensitive to economic loss, attentive to people’s experiences and stories, and grateful for all gifts. Read more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/10-ideas-for-your-2020-annual-campaign/
Leading Ideas Talks Podcast: Episode 66
“Leading with the Sermon” featuring Bishop William Willimon
Bishop William Willimon says truth telling is critical to faithful leadership. In this episode he speaks about a pastor’s call to preach unabashedly the truth of Jesus Christ without losing sight of the importance of managing congregational life in this disruptive, revealing time. Listen now or read transcript. https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/episode-66-leading-with-the-sermon-featuring-bishop-william-willimon/
Leading Like Moses: 4 Ways to Know What to Delegate
Micah Fries and Jeremy Maxfield say that delegation is a critical skill that improves a leader’s focus, multiplies impact, and develops the capacity of others. They offer four key questions to help a leader discern which tasks and responsibilities should be delegated to others. Read more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/leading-like-moses-4-ways-to-know-what-to-delegate/
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.”
Dan Heath points out that multiple people in an organization may face the same problem regularly. They take care of it and go on. The problem may be some missing information, something put in the wrong place, or countless other things that result in unnecessary time used to remedy the situation. Heath encourages us to ask this question in such cases:
*Why does this keep happening?
Want more Right Questions? Read “Right Questions for Church Leaders” at https://www.churchleadership.com/books/right-questions-for-church-leaders/.
Free Panel Discussion
Register for “The Crisis of Younger Clergy in the United Methodist Church: Young Clergy and Candidates Speak Out”
Wednesday, October 21, Noon Eastern
Clergy Age Trends in the UMC: 2005-2020 reports that the number of elders age 35 and under has fallen nearly to the record low recorded 15 years ago, erasing a decade of progress. The Lewis Center invites you to a webinar panel discussion where young clergy and candidates will explore the motivations, challenges, and needs of younger people pursuing a call to ministry. Learn more and register now. https://wesleyseminary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y8vMr5gSQAGfPq348kGUOg
Learn Strategies for Fruitful Annual Financial Campaigns
Did you know that church members who pledge give 30 percent more than those who don’t pledge? And congregations that seek annual financial commitments have significantly higher levels of overall giving? With the “Optimizing Annual Financial Campaigns” Video Tool Kit you will learn to reap the harvest of generosity through best practices to make your annual financial campaign more effective. Learn more and watch introductory videos now. https://www.churchleadership.com/product/optimizing-annual-financial-campaigns-download/
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
Free Video
Take the Next Step: The Importance of Reaching More People, Younger People, and More Diverse People
“There is no future for a church or denomination that cannot reach more people, younger people, and more diverse people,” asserts Lovett H. Weems Jr. In this four-minute video he explains the challenge of reaching these groups, and why these three goals are inextricably linked. Watch now. https://www.churchleadership.com/videos/take-next-step-reaching-people-younger-people-diverse-people-2/
Quotable Leadership
“Stewardship is the willingness to be accountable for the well-being of the larger organization by operating in service, rather than in control, of those around us.” — Peter Block
Video-based Adult Study Curriculum
Leading Like Nehemiah: Rebuilding Together
Ideal for your congregation’s online or in-person small groups, adult Bible studies, and Sunday School classes.
Church leaders have always looked to the Scriptures for wisdom on how to fulfill their callings. This downloadable six-session video-based study curriculum lifts up 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 conversations on the subject of each video. Watch an introductory video, view sample Study and Discussion Guide pages, and order now. https://www.churchleadership.com/product/nehemiah-leadership/
Copyright © 2004-2020 Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
https://www.churchleadership.com/leadingideas