True church growth is a result of a positive church experience, members inviting family and friends as well as a reputation that is spread by word-of-mouth.
Many people will visit a church several times before making a decision to call that church home.
The challenging part, particularly for churches of a few hundred people, is that visitors can sneak in and out without anyone even knowing they were there. Read the Full Article →
There is a common phenomenon in the church today.
People get offended, conflict arises and people leave the church.
Very often this is the result of mis-communication, or no communication.
Church members are human and when there is a gap in information, people tend to fill in the blanks. And, oftentimes what they fill the gap with is inaccurate or untrue. Read the Full Article →
When new people visit your church they spend the first couple of weeks or even months evaluating what you do, what programs you offer, and if the church culture is a good match.
They want to know that there are programs available to meet their particular spiritual and social needs.
Many visitors hesitate making the commitment to membership because they may not understand the process or what they are committing to. Read the Full Article →
The recent allegations of lewd conduct by a Saddleback Church youth leader is yet another example of how child abuse in America is an issue of concern.
Stories about child abuse of minors seems to be a regular topic on the evening news with one disturbing allegation after another.
Churches are no exception to these accusations and should take steps to create a safe place for their children and youth. Read the Full Article →
The most important function of communication within an organization is to inform, persuade and motivate.
Successful organizations communicate intentionally because they recognize that when leadership fails to communicate effectively, issues arise, conflict presents itself and organizational momentum slows.
We all have different preferences for how we receive information, yet we all crave communication. It is what engages us in our relationships, our employment, and our church. Read the Full Article →
I don’t know anyone who isn’t excited about spring.
And, with spring comes one of the most important days of the year for churches – Easter Sunday!
Easter is one of two days a year when people, who don’t regularly attend church, will come and celebrate Christ’s resurrection.
This is also a time of year when people recommit and make an attempt to get back to church. Read the Full Article →
Churches often struggle with the term “customer” and sometimes question if churches have customers.
However more and more churches have become aware of the need to identify who their customers are and strategically take steps to create a positive experience for them.
In the church, customers can be defined as visitors, members, volunteers and employees.
Creating a positive experience for these key customer groups is important because members fund the church, volunteers are the labor engine of the church and employees facilitate the process. Read the Full Article →
I was recently listening to a leadership podcast by Andy Stanley, from North Point Community Church.
If you’ve never listened to Andy I highly recommend him because of his great teaching style and his focus on church leadership development. He has an ongoing leadership series that is very well done and is just a snippet of all the things this church does well. Read the Full Article →
Attracting visitors to your church is the first step in achieving church growth.
Understanding the visitor experience can provide valuable information that can be used to create a first time experience that makes the visitor want to come back – and hopefully join the church.
When I visit a church there are several things I pay attention to. I like going someplace that is welcoming, comfortable and consistent with my belief system. Read the Full Article →
God blesses churches with many resources – people, time and money – and He expects us to be good stewards with what He provides.
Members tithe on their income to support the operation of the ministry, making it even more important to be good stewards and manage financial resources responsibly.
So what is the definition of stewardship? According to dictionary.com, Stewardship is, “the responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving“. Read the Full Article →
