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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.  […]

“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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]