Dave Ramsey encourages pastors to lead people out of debt
A one-time real estate magnate whose bankruptcy preceded him becoming a popular finance advisor recently urged Southern Baptist pastors to lead people out of debt. Dave Ramsey, whose syndicated radio program airs on more than 600 stations, told pastors at the Southern Baptist Convention in mid-June that many people they speak to on Sunday mornings lack the ability to handle money. Baptist Press reported that Ramey said 70 percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck and another 16 percent are either bankrupt or on the verge of it. “Quit preaching tithing lessons to broke people,” said the creator of [...]
Church wins concession to display banner about its 300th anniversary
A church in New Hampshire won the right to hang a 24-square-foot banner above its main entrance celebrating its 300th anniversary in August. The Community Church of Durham had to petition the town’s zoning board of adjustment to display the sign, since it is four times larger than existing zoning law allowed in the town’s historic district. Although officially founded in 1718, the United Church of Christ congregation dates back to 1651 when the town of Dover—which then encompassed the settlement that became Durham—voted to support a minister there. Services were held sporadically for many years until a minister arrived [...]
How to find (and keep) your joy in ministry
If your joy in ministry depends on everything going your way, you’ll be miserable for much of your ministry.
Key principles for understanding multi-cultural churches
To help our churches grow in the most ways possible, it helps to understand how we can journey toward reconciliation.
7 elementary questions that help you make graduate-level change
Sometimes, the solution to facilitating change is found in these simple questions.
How to find partnerships for community outreach ministry
Who is doing great ministry in your community and how can you join them?
Profile: Jim Barber, president of the Society for Church Consulting
Jim Barber’s confidence in God has sustained him through leadership roles both in the marketplace and in ministry.
5 church developments on the horizon
Yes, the times they are a-changing. And these five developments are among the most dramatic.
Controversy surrounds Mike Pence’s speech to SBC annual meeting
Vice President Mike Pence was the latest national leader to address the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, but not everyone in the Southern Baptist Convention was happy about his speech. Attempts to substitute a time of prayer or an alternate speaker both failed the day prior to Pence’s June 13 speech. “We must do all that we can to preserve the purity of the gospel, and this invitation works against it,” said Garrett Kell, the Virginia pastor who proposed the prayer time. In his remarks, Pence recalled his decision to accept Jesus as Savior in 1978 after being raised in a [...]
Are you stretched beyond your preferences?
Where does the Bible say to select a church based on your preferences, asks Derwin Gray, former NFL player and founding pastor of Transformation Church.
Take a stand at church (and keep your job!)
Leadership means you have to say things that not everyone is ready to hear.
5 facts about leadership capital
At times, as a transitional pastor, I am granted a surprising amount of leadership capital with which to lead churches through healing, change and reconciliation.
What is essential for true leadership?
There are many ideas about how to lead. However, this is the primary one.
6 common problems with church bylaws
Some churches use bylaws well beyond their original intent.
The struggle of shepherding a team
There is a lot to learn about caring for lambs on a farm, but this technique taught me more about shepherding a team.
Modifying the church’s methods
Sometimes you have to stop doing good things to do the best things.
10 tips for dealing with change
In today’s climate, we’re all figuring how to lead through change, especially at church.
Warning signs no leader should ignore
Here are four warning signs every leader should address when they see them.
How do you respond when you’re hated?
What happens when those in your circle of influence hate what you represent? Craig Groeschel, Founding and Senior Pastor of Life.Church shares how he responded to someone who hated pastors.
Breakfast ministry closes
Although a Davenport, Iowa ministry to the homeless won its legal battle with the city last year over zoning regulations, it lost the war recently when financial struggles forced it to close down. A ministry of Compassion Church, Timothy’s House of Hope served its last meal in late May after nine years, the Quad-City Times reported. Founder Jim Swope said the ministry had $8,000 in winter utility bills, in addition to personal health issues that curtailed fundraising efforts and legal costs from last year’s court case. The city had issued a cease-and-desist order soon after the House of Hope—named for [...]
