Brian Thorstad, Author at Helping Churches Thrive

Consider A New Year’s “Physical” For Your Church

Nobody likes getting a physical, but most of the adults I know get one every year anyway. We know that it’s the wise thing to do. Problems are spotted earlier, rather than later, and the healthy habits that some patient physicians take the time to teach us improve and even extend our lives. Churches can…

The Secret Of Church Life Is Fruit-bearing

“I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains [abides] in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you…

The Parable Of The Christmas Lutefisk

Author’s note: Lutefisk (loo– ta – fisk, literally, “lye fish”) is a version of codfish that involves soaking the fish in a lye solution, followed by baking. The end result is a piece of fish that is white, almost translucent, jelled, wiggly, has a strong flavor and an even stronger scent. Most people – including…

The Year in Review of the Pastor’s Ministry

Brian’s note: My friend, Dr. Randy M. Keeley, creator of my favorite church health evaluation, the Ministry Mapping Survey, has created this great tool for the oftentimes difficult task of pastoral performance reviews. It looks like it should lead to some great, in-depth discussions. You’ll find Dr. Keeley’s bio at www.randywkeeley@weebly.com Dr. Keeley’s email address…

Can A Church Have The Culture Of A Christian Camp?

The short answer is, no, I’m afraid it can’t. But let me explain. A few weeks ago I was privileged to speak on the subject of church culture. Preparing and presenting this material was just the kind of challenge I enjoy – but I wasn’t expecting that my presentation would have a surprise ending: As…

Please, Ask For Help, Early

“There’s no cure for stupidity.” I don’t know who said it first, but a lot of people have said it since. There are even some takeoffs on the original observation: “There’s no vaccine for stupidity.” “Stupidity is terminal.” “You can’t fix stupid.” “Stupidity is the only universal, capital crime.” I think you get the idea. …

Three Misunderstood Truths About Servant Leadership

One of the least understood concepts in the Christian world is that of “servant leadership.” While the term isn’t used in the Bible, the concept certainly is, and it’s very important. The context for the following passage was the “power play” by brothers James and John to secure the top spots in Jesus’ Kingdom cabinet. …

Eight Important Facts About YOUR CHURCH’S CULTURE

“The single greatest advantage any company can achieve is organizational health. Yet it is ignored by most leaders even though it is simple, free and available to anyone who wants it.” Patrick Lencioni, from page one of his book, The Advantage “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Peter Drucker Culture is the climate, the atmosphere, the…

A New Day Of Small Things

We have a saying in America: “Go Big Or Go Home!” We like big stores, big stadiums, big stadium events and big churches. Unfortunately for those of us who are disciples of Jesus, this is a new day of small things, not a new day of big things. You’ve probably read the same stats that…

The Forgotten Fruit

This is going to be a different sort of Helping Churches Thrive blogpost. It’s about a character trait, a fruit of the Spirit, or call it a “grace,” if you prefer. It’s about meekness and meekness is actually a vital quality for thriving, Godly churches. It’s a big subject that I’m diving into today and…

Your Seniors Are Frustrated, But You Can Help Them: My Grumpy Conclusion

Seniors have a bad reputation today. They have become known for their grumpiness. Come to think of it, maybe they’ve (“we” actually, since I am one myself) always been seen as grumpy. Charles Dickens had lots of grumpy old people in his wonderful stories, and we know that his characters were based on real persons…

Your Seniors Are Frustrated, But You Can Help Them, Part Three

At the risk of sounding like a politician or a spokesperson for a politician, “Let me make this perfectly clear.” I’ve been writing about frustrated seniors and how you can help them. But I’m not doing this because I feel sorry for seniors. I’m doing this because I eat, sleep, think and breathe church revitalization….

Your Seniors Are Frustrated, But You Can Help Them, Part Two

It sounds like everybody’s frustrated. Last week I started writing about actual statements and questions I’ve heard over the past few years from seniors who are frustrated about the prospect of change in their churches. Believe me, I’ve gotten an earful. This week I’ve been getting another earful from pastors and others who are frustrated…

Your Seniors Are Frustrated, But You Can Help Them

Everywhere I go I meet older church members who are seriously frustrated with their churches. Since becoming a senior myself, I think I’m learning to understand them. These are mostly very good people. Some of them, in fact, are great people. Some of them are amazing people. Those of us who are younger than they…

The Revitalization Playbook: Return To Real Discipleship

We’re working on a revitalization playbook, a compendium of initiatives which church leaders can choose from, under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, in their efforts to see their congregations returned to vibrant, Great-Commission health. My final suggestion for you – and by no means am I saying that I’ve given you these in the order of…

The Revitalization Playbook: Make Good Use Of Membership

Wait a minute! Don’t touch that dial! “Membership” doesn’t have to be as unexciting as a new vaccine. I know that many churches don’t have an actual membership. If that describes your congregation and this is a conviction for you, then it’s okay if you change the channel. I’ll understand. I’m not going to use…

The Revitalization Playbook: Create A Great Culture

My father was the manager of a small-town, bottled gas plant. One year, the large corporation which owned the plant came up with a new campaign to squeeze a little more out of their beleaguered managers. It was called IADOM. My hard working, loyal but laid-back dad was forced to wear his own IADOM button….

The Revitalization Playbook: Measure Your Progress

To count or not to count: Churches have been debating the wisdom of measuring “nickels and noses” – now known as “metrics” – for a long time. I’m sure I’ll never convince everyone, but I’m going to make a case for keeping track of a few metrics as part of the process of revitalizing a…

The Revitalization Playbook: Encourage Real Worship

Since my post on March 8th, I’ve been writing a revitalization playbook, a church leader’s resource for helpful, timely, turnaround strategies. The first three plays were “scripted,” in the sense that I strongly recommended that they should be implemented in this order: Help your people face the true condition of their church, Help your congregation…

The Revitalization Playbook: The Value Of Hands-On Projects

I can’t entirely explain this, but there is something about a hands-on project that is very helpful to churches undergoing a revitalization process. By a “hands-on project” I’m talking about efforts that involve physical tasks undertaken by a large number of people, or a large percentage of the members of a small church, which have…

The Revitalization Playbook: Address Your People Problems

In some congregations it’s just one person: one controlling Diotrephes (III John 12), one harmful Alexander (II Timothy 4:14), one willful, rude, thoughtless bully, somebody who wants to be a big fish in a small pond. In other churches, it’s one family which thinks that First Church is their own personal piece of property, like…