By Amy Butler I had a spirited conversation with some friends the other day about church revitalization. The topic came up because, in my circles, some version of this question is on everyone’s mind these days: “How can we revitalize…
When it comes to congregational vision, may you be with the source
Reformation Day — 498 years and counting
By Brett Younger Seminary professors spend a lot of time around 24-year-olds. As a result, we spend a lot of time feeling old. Our church experience is different from theirs. My parents took me to church three times a week….
With God as our source congregational vision is more than numbers
By George Bullard Let’s be certain about vision. It is not easy. The vast majority of pastors, staff persons and lay leaders have a really difficult time understanding vision. It is not second nature to them. Vision may be something…
What independent voters can teach the Church
I’ve been a registered independent voter since I turned eighteen. I have prided myself on the fact that I vote based on the candidate and not the party. However, when I look back at the elections I have participated in,…
Four reasons Ronnie Floyd is both right and wrong
By Mark Wingfield Here’s a sentence I never thought I would write: I agree with Ronnie Floyd. The outspoken Arkansas pastor currently serves as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and he dropped a bombshell at a recent event when…
God’s vision for congregations is not about me
God does not necessarily want your congregation to be successful, to grow big, to compete with others churches, to be the church with the best reputation, to have the most beautiful buildings, to have the friendliest people, to have the…
The Nones, the Dones and class
By Jason Coker Are you tired of hearing about the Pew Research Center’s demographic study outlining the decline of Christianity in America? It was earth-shattering news for the few people who read it, but energized others who were tired of traditional…
The church is not ‘Cheers’
“Is that we are called to do? Create a place where everyone knows your name? Did Jesus call us to build a Christian version of Cheers?” Those are the words of Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of the Church of the…