Church
Nine Suggestions for Cultivating Volunteers
Wouldn't it be great if all of our churches had continuous supplies of volunteer leaders to step into vacant positions on a moments notice? It almost sounds too good to be true, but I have seen churches where this actually happens! These churches have worked hard to create an atmosphere that continuously raises up new volunteer leaders to be a part of the church. In my experience with these … [Read More...]
Budget Cuts and Stages of Grief
Our church was not reaching its budget and had to make difficult changes to reduce expenses by 16 percent. The finance committee realized a reduction of this magnitude would require cuts in staffing – something no one welcomed. They asked the staff-parish relations committee to come up with a plan to reduce staff expenditures. Then, members of the church council were brought into the … [Read More...]
Church Signing Days
The college football season is over. Now is the time that coaches focus on recruiting players out of high school. If a coach doesn't get an offer in front of a recruit by signing day, the recruit will commit elsewhere. It is the same with churches. We have programs to offer, and we need to get that information in front of people before signing day. There are a few times per year that most … [Read More...]
What Size Church Gets a Full Time Pastor?
Lately, I have been asking myself, "How big does a church need to be in order to merit a full time pastor?" I have heard a couple of different things, but I finally found something in writing. This is from Bishop Willimon of the North Alabama Conference, who sites Lovett Weems: The total minimum financial obligation for having a full-time pastoral position filled by an Elder/Deacon or a … [Read More...]
More Leadership Posts
And Tea
The Encouragement of Jude
I have written several posts examining the metaphors in Jude about troublemakers who lead Christians and the church astray. We all have potential to be such troublemakers, but we also have the potential to live out God's commandments. We might not be able to do so perfectly, but God is there to meet us in our attempt. One comment that was left on my blog reminded me that Jude has some words of … [Read More...]
John Wesley: Read to Improve Preaching
What does John Wesley say is important for growing as a preacher and getting better and preparing sermons? Reading. John Wesley wrote this very powerful critique to John Trembath in 1760: What has exceedingly hurt you in time past, nay, and I fear to this day, is want of reading. I scarcely ever knew a preacher read so little. And, perhaps, by neglecting it, you have lost the taste for it. … [Read More...]
What Good is Visitation?
I have recently been reading the Questing Parson blog. I love his way of putting posts into a narrative, and I think that style may help me out of a touch of writer's block. I'm going to try it out: Reverend Dean Shepherd (Shep for short) drove through his neighborhood on his way home after a rather busy day. Off a side street, he noticed three men in suits who were going door to door. He … [Read More...]
Extreme Makeover Home Edition Visits Methodist Family
Ty Pennington and his team from Extreme Makeover Home Edition have become known for swooping in and helping families with housing needs. On Friday, October 21st, ABC will air a special two hour episode where Ty and the gang swoops in to help the Keefer family. The Keefers happen to be a United Methodist family, which is why they popped up on my blogging radar. The good people at EMHE gave me the … [Read More...]
