The Value of a Fresh Perspective We’ve all had the experience: We’ve walked into a store, a restaurant or a church and were very quickly frustrated. We couldn’t find the Hispanic foods section, or the men’s socks or the rest rooms. Everything seemed to be designed for the people who are already there. You weren’t […]
This Old Church: Begin Your Revitalization With An Assessment
I heard it again on Sunday, described a little more eloquently this time than in the past. The homeowner and contractor told me how he had remodeled several homes, each time living in them during the process. He was grateful to have had the same wife with him throughout the whole adventure. As I had […]
Comprehensive Church Health Assessments
Overview The Comprehensive Church Health Assessment is an opportunity for an evangelical congregation of any size to get a fresh, outsider’s look at its ministries, for a minimal cost. All assessment results are kept strictly confidential. Assessment results will be shared with the senior pastor first and then with the church board. While the […]
The Seven Steps Of The Complete Church Assessment
1. Prayer and informing of the congregation by the pastor and board 2. The self-study materials are prepared by the church and sent to the Church Health Consultant 3. A demographic survey (Know Your Community) is purchased by the church and a church health survey is completed by church members (I recommend the Ministry […]
A Little More Detail On Brian’s Consulting Work
Help for SOLO and SENIOR PASTORS: Monthly, leadership-oriented coaching sessions via phone or Zoom “Listening ear” coaching/counseling sessions Revitalization leadership training, by way of Becoming Effective Leaders (BEL) groups of 3-8 pastors. BEL group participants meet monthly for nine months and gain leadership and church revitalization skills in the context of personal coaching and great […]
Surviving or Thriving: Options for the Declining Church
Here’s the bad news… 65-90% of American Protestant churches are plateaued or declining in attendance. 1% of America’s Protestant congregations close their doors each year. The average congregation of about 75 in Sunday attendance wins less than one adult unbeliever to Christ per year. Most churches believe that they can keep doing the same […]
Three Ways Revitalizing Your Church Is Like Remodeling Your Home
“Revitalizing your church is like remodeling your house: It will take more time, cost more money and create a bigger mess than you ever could have imagined. But in the end, it’s worth it.” Anonymous I have loved that observation for a long time now, and […]
The Small Church, Post-Pandemic, Survival Guide
Everybody knows that churches were hit hard by the COVID pandemic shutdowns: Theologically liberal churches lost large percentages of their attendees who don’t seem to be returning. Many of these congregations are closing their doors. May these buildings be re-occupied by gospel proclaiming “re-start” churches soon, for the glory of God! Larger evangelical churches lost […]
Becoming Effective Leaders (BEL) Groups For Pastors
Those of us who serve Jesus as pastors deeply long to lead churches which are powerfully used by God to make real disciples – devoted followers – of our Savior. We want to lead disciple-making, transformational churches and we don’t want to just “spin our wheels” until it’s time to retire. But how do we […]
Surviving Those No-Win Pastoral Situations, Part Two
“I am greatly encouraged. In all our troubles, my joy knows no bounds.” […]
Is Church Revitalization A Scary New Concept?
Last week I wrote about disciple-making as an irritating new trend. No, I don’t think it’s an irritating new trend; I think it’s a wonderful, old trend. But I’m well aware of the fact that many church people have a serious case of “new idea fatigue.” They are weary and leery of new pastors with […]
Spatial Disorientation – Pastor: Do You Know The Condition Of Your Pastorate?
My wife and I have been learning about spatial disorientation by listening to airline disaster podcasts. The phenomenon occurs when pilots, unable to see the ground because of darkness or bad weather (pilots call it “goo”), become unable to determine their aircraft’s true position relative to the ground. Their senses tell them, for instance, that […]
“Pastor: How’s Your CHURCH Doing?”
I have many conversations with pastors which include this question. We talk about lots of other things, from illnesses to children to football, and then I invariably get around to the “How’s your CHURCH doing?” question. Some pastors have the privilege of leading churches which are building the Kingdom of Christ with some real God-given […]
Models of Board Member Ministry
Almost every church has some variety of leadership team which meets regularly (or occasionally) to make decisions and help and/or hinder the work of the congregation’s professional staff. These groups are variously called: the board, the elders, the deacons, the consistory, the session or the council. The degree of authority which they wield varies greatly. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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: Play #1 – Help Your Church To Face The Facts
The human capacity for self-delusion is amazing, isn’t it? People who “can’t carry a tune in a bucket” enter singing competitions. Some of us try to squeeze into shirts or pants that are several sizes too small. Couples without carpentry skills take on remodeling projects that would make the best You Tube DIY-ers give up […]
