September 26, 2018
Leading Ideas from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
Leading Faithfully in the Public Square
Amy Butler, pastor of the historic Riverside Church in New York City, reflects on how churches can faithfully address the issues of the day without turning every Sunday into a political rally. She says a church’s prophetic witness must be grounded in the gospel and flow authentically from a healthy lived experience of beloved community. Read more now: https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/leading-faithfully-in-the-public-square?id=li20180926
3 Key Questions for Evaluating Ministry Possibilities
Aaron M. Bouwens says too many churches make decisions based on the popularity and charisma of a plan’s proponents. He says congregations can make better decisions by asking key questions about the proposal’s alignment with mission and whether there are enough people and resources to support it. Read more now: https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/3-key-questions-for-evaluating-ministry-possibilities?id=li20180926
The Right Question
“Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.”
Think about the agenda for your governing board or a committee on which you serve and ask these questions.
* What items are always on the agenda?
* What items are rarely or never on the agenda?
* What does that say about our priorities and possible missing items?
Want more Right Questions? Read “Right Questions for Church Leaders” at https://www.churchleadership.com/books/right-questions-for-church-leaders/
What Next Faithful Step is God Calling Your Church to Take?
“Discovering God’s Future for Your Church” is a turnkey tool kit to help your congregation discern and implement God’s vision for its future. The resource guides your church in discovering God’s vision in your history and culture, your current congregational strengths and weaknesses, and the needs of your surrounding community. The tool kit features videos, leader’s guides, discussion exercises, planning tools, handouts, diagrams, worksheets, and more. Learn more and watch an introductory video now: https://www.churchleadership.com/product/discovering-gods-future-church?id=20180926
50 Ways to Improve Your Annual Stewardship Campaign
This free resource in our popular “50 Ways” series provides effective strategies for improving your stewardship campaign. Topics include: plan carefully; structure your campaign to acknowledge unique giving patterns; know what motivates people to give; ask in effective ways; follow-up; and more. Read now and download free: https://www.churchleadership.com/50-ways/50-ways-to-improve-your-annual-stewardship-campaign?id=li20180926
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
Apply Now for Doctor of Ministry Programs at Wesley
Public Engagement: Apply by Oct. 15 for January 2019 | Church Leadership Excellence: Apply by Feb. 15 for May 2019
Wesley Theological Seminary and the Lewis Center together offer two Doctor of Ministry programs. The Public Engagement track equips participants to lead congregations in healing the brokenness experienced in communities while being beacons of hope. The Church Leadership Excellence track provides clergy the enhanced knowledge, skills, and motivation to increase congregational and denominational service, vitality, and growth. Learn more and apply today: https://www.wesleyseminary.edu/doctorofministry?id=li20180926
Quotable Leadership
“Visioning is a gift of God. It is a reward of disciplined, faithful, and patient listening to God.” — Rueben Job
Reimagining Christian Communities: 3 Alternatives to Institutional Models
The mandate given by Jesus to his followers was to take his authority to proclaim the counterculture Kingdom of God, to teach and demonstrate Spirit-empowered living and to heal the sick and oppressed. Rev. Mike Slaughter writes in Ministry Matters about three nontraditional, out-of-the-box approaches to accomplishing Jesus’ mandate. Read now: https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/9253/reimagining-christian-communities-3-alternatives-to-institutional-models?id=li20180926