Author: Administrador

In the most recent issue of his Ministry Toolbox, Rick Warren shares 10 common barriers to church growth. A major one is tradition. Rick writes: “Traditions actually are rooted in success. Something becomes a tradition because it works in the first place. Because it works, we repeat it over and over again. “Unfortunately, the tradition then … Continue reading “Tradition Can Be a Barrier to Church Growth”

In an Aug. 26, 2003, op-ed piece in The Wall Street Journal, Peter Mullen, Rector of St. Michael’s Church in Cornhill and chaplain of the London Stock Exchange, writes, “The issue of homosexuality is only one prominent aspect of a failure of nerve on the part of the church in the West. We have ceased … Continue reading “Western Church Has Lost Its Nerve, Says British Chaplain”

In his blog, John Koessler has been writing on challenges pastors face. One is the fact that our people understand little of what we do: “Not long after he started attending our church, Ed asked me about something that had been bothering him. It was a question that took me by surprise. It had nothing to … Continue reading “Tell Them What You Do”

In an article for Sermon Central, Bob Russell writes about what he has learned about stewardship sermons, including the best time of year to preach them: “The timing of a stewardship sermon dramatically affects how it is received. If people are reconsidering their spending priorities, they’re more likely to welcome biblical teaching on money. If they’re … Continue reading “Time for Stewardship Sermons”

Joe McKeever writes that one of the things that can build our relationship with the congregation is allowing it to see our humanity: “I sometimes say to friends, ‘If you ever find yourself sitting among two or more preachers and want to get something started, ask them about their most embarrassing moments. Every preacher has had a … Continue reading “Succeed by Mistake”

In a recent issue of his Leadership Wired newsletter (Vol. 6, Issue 17), John Maxwell explains, “The ability to make the complex seem simple is a mark of a good communicator. Some people do this naturally–they have an innate capacity to explain complex concepts in ways that evoke understanding instead of vacant looks. As I … Continue reading “Put the Cookies on the Lower Shelf”

Ken Hemphill recalls his college football days and remembers the team was great in the huddle. It just didn’t perform when it came time to play. Hemphill used that as an analogy for the church as he presented the Layne Lectures at New Orleans Baptist Seminary, according to a Sept. 30, 2003, Baptist Press story. “I’m … Continue reading “Do We Emphasize the Huddle or the Playing Field”

In a recent issue of his Ministry Toolbox newsletter, Rick Warren writes: “One of the most important — and often forgotten — ingredients to a growing church is having the right leader in the right place. It doesn’t matter how good and godly of a pastor you are, if you don’t fit your congregation, it’ll … Continue reading “Right Pastor, Wrong Place”

In his book The Pastor as Minor Poet (Eerdmans), M. Craig Barnes writes, “Nobody really wants a perfect pastor. Those who sit in the pews may try to turn the pulpit into a pedestal, but that is only a projection of their own flawed aspirations to rise above their creaturely limitations. While there are certainly appropriate … Continue reading “A Perfect Pastor?”

A recent LifeWay Research survey indicates that although Protestant pastors clearly maintain personal political opinions, 84 percent disagree (70 percent strongly and 14 percent somewhat) with the statement, “I believe pastors should endorse candidates for public office from the pulpit.” According to the Baptist Press article: “for comparison, LifeWay Research found in a June 2008 … Continue reading “No Pulpit Endorsements”