September 18, 2019
Leading Ideas from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
What Happens When a Millennial Walks into your Church?
Jeremy Steele says that reaching millennials requires more than marketing and invitation. You need a plan for how to connect with them once they arrive — a plan that engages them in serious matters of the soul and feeds their hunger for authentic community. Read more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/what-happens-when-a-millennial-walks-into-your-church/?id=li20190918
Leading Ideas Talks Podcast: Episode 41
“The Contours of the Church of the Future” featuring Paul Nixon
How can the church be more receptive and open as neighborhoods become more complex and culture more multi-faceted? In this episode we speak with consultant Paul Nixon who works to help churches meet the demands of a rapidly changing age. Listen now or read transcript. https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/episode-41-contours-church-future-featuring-paul-nixon/?id=li20190918
Clergy Age Trends Give Cause for Concern
Lovett H. Weems, Jr., highlights some of the findings in the Lewis Center’s annual Clergy Age Trends report. Of note is a major downturn in the number of elders under 35. He also identifies the United Methodist conferences that are attracting larger numbers of young clergy. Read more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/clergy-age-trends-give-cause-for-concern/?id=li20190918
The Right Question
“Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.”
If a leader has some questions or uneasiness about the effectiveness of a program or ministry, sometimes it is easier to open the topic in a less direct manner than criticism. One way to start such conversations might be:
* What do you know about … ?
* Can you explain to me more about … ?
Want more Right Questions? Read “Right Questions for Church Leaders” at https://www.churchleadership.com/books/right-questions-for-church-leaders/
Free Guidebook! New LPLI Staff Version! New Lower Price!
LPLI Helps Good Church Leaders Become Better
LPLI is a confidential, online, 360º leadership assessment inventory designed to help those working in the church identify individual strengths and weaknesses in order to improve their ministry effectiveness. A free new guidebook, Making the Most of LPLI, is available for all past and current LPLI users. And, as requested by many, LPLI Staff Version is now available for church staff. Also, LPLI Pastor Version has been refreshed and is available for a new, lower price. Learn more about LPLI and the free guidebook, LPLI Staff Version, and LPLI Pastor Version now. https://lpli.org/?id=li20190918
Stop Complaining about Sunday Morning Sports
It’s a common complaint among clergy types, “Sunday morning sports are taking people away from worship!” But rather than making parents feel guilty for wanting to be at their kids’ games, let’s instead talk about the life of faith — one in which parents can see all the shuttling around they do, the homework help, getting kids dressed, and, yes, even watching their kid play hockey on Sunday morning as ministry in and of itself. Read now and download free. https://www.churchleadership.com/to-the-point/to-the-point-stop-complaining-about-sunday-morning-sports?id=li20190918
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
Video-based Adult Study Curriculum
“Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense”
This ten-session video-based congregational study featuring biblical scholar N.T. Wright addresses questions of the reasonableness of the Christian faith in the modern world. “Simply Christian” is an excellent course for both established believers and seekers. It is ideal for your congregation’s small groups, adult Bible studies, and Sunday School classes. Watch a sample video and learn more now. https://www.churchleadership.com/product/simply-christian/?id=li20190918
Quotable Leadership
“A people with hope, history has shown, always intimidates the principalities and powers of this world.” — Jaco J. Hamman
Learn to Reach Young Adults with “Not Safe for Church”
Congregations say they want to reach new and younger people. In “Not Safe for Church: Ten Commandments for Reaching New Generations,” Lewis Center Director Doug Powe and Pastor Jasmine Smothers give 10 ways to help churches move from just saying what they intend to do to actually doing it. This book provides tools to help congregations re-frame the Good News in non-traditional ways plus study questions for church leadership teams. Learn more and order now. https://www.churchleadership.com/books/not-safe-church-ten-commandments-reaching-new-generations?id=li20190918
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