Category Archives: Leadership

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September 23, 2014

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Executive Office, General Baptists, Leadership

Turnaround Denominations Continued

A few weeks ago I discussed Turnaround Denominations, and I shared some thoughts about what is required to be one. The idea came from Thom Rainer’s 2010 book entitled, Breakout Churches.

I strongly believe that General Baptist churches who are plateaued or declining can become healthy and growing, but the objective of a Turnaround Denomination cannot be achieved in isolation by only a few churches. For an entire denomination to be turned around, more and more churches must take on the heart of Jesus. Seeing the world as Jesus does is the best thing any church can do. Dan Spader, in his 4 Chair Discipling book, points out that our God is a missionary God, and Jesus Christ is a missionary Savior.

We see this missionary concept in the Bible over and over again. When Jesus saw a multitude of people, he was moved with compassion.  In other words, he was overcome with concern for them because he realized they were lost and searching, like sheep without their shepherd. This is what having a heart for the lost looks like. We see a wonderful example of this in John 4 when Jesus went out of his way to have a conversation with a woman who was spiritually lost and living in an entire community that was spiritually lost. In this passage Jesus challenged his disciples to lift up their eyes. He was telling them, “Look around you. What do you see? Do you see the same lost, sin-sick, dying people that I see?”

If churches as well as entire denominations are going to turn around, members must develop the same heart for the lost Jesus had.  We must stop looking down at our own feet, for to do so can minimize our ability to navigate peripheral obstructions in our Christian journey.  Looking down teaches us to be consumed exclusively with how things affect us. Instead, we must look up and around, as Christ instructed his disciples, to see those who are lost and in need of a Savior. That means we must look at those within our immediate vicinity — to our family, friends, and co-workers – understanding that they may never take that step of faith unless someone first begins looking for them or seeking them out.

But Jesus not only said for his disciples to look around or lift up their eyes and see the lost, but to actually have a spiritual conversation with them. If we do not tell them about Jesus, how else can they hear?

Taking the initiative to lift up our eyes and see the lost and then tell the lost the story of Jesus must go hand-in-hand with the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will guide us to those we need to see and with whom we need to speak. If we fail to take on the heart of Christ, our churches will remain inward-focused, dying organizations, instead of churches that are vibrant and alive, with a passion for looking outward into our communities, spreading salt and projecting light into this world.  If enough people turn around, then churches will turn around.  If enough churches turn around, an entire denomination will turn around!

Be on the lookout for my next installment about becoming a Turnaround Denomination.

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September 18, 2014

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Congregrational Ministries, Leadership

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10 Growth Restricting Habits

By Franklin Dumond

While churches fail to grow for a number of reasons there are several habits that restrict growth. Habits that restrict growth, unlike obstacles that restrict growth, can be broken or relearned without official action by the congregation. That is to say that these habits are learned behaviors, not requirements mandated in the bylaws. Culture can be changed without a vote but new ways of thinking and acting take time to develop.Certain church habits can restrict the growth of your congregation.

Habits that often restrict growth include:

  1. Seating patterns. When the congregation huddles in the back one-third of the auditorium it not only emphasizes emptiness it also takes all the best seats that would often be preferred by visitors.
  2. Announcements. Need to be reduced or eliminated if a printed bulletin is being used. Announcements on the screen should run before and after worship not during. Verbal announcements should be limited to features that impact everyone. In a smaller church most information that cannot be written or projected can be transmitted by word of mouth. Announcements, if needed, should NEVER be used at the beginning or in the middle of a worship service.
  3. Proofing. The tendency these days to use projection systems and word processors that save files for future use introduces the need to be especially vigilant regarding errors. Errors in lyrics where words are misspelled or misused, or when stanzas do not match what is being sung, cannot be corrected just by saving the file for next time.
  4. Guest Friendly Atmosphere. Everything must be filtered through what a first time guest would expect/experience. If it is confusing or boring to the first time guest then it should not be said or done.
  5. Décor. Most church décor should be simplified and targeted more toward men with fewer flowers, ornaments, and pastels.
  6. Too many hats by too few people. Often willing volunteers are few and far between. Capable volunteers may then take on too many responsibilities, leaving them tired and frustrated while not providing a place for new folks to serve.
  7. Solo rather than team ministry. Capable volunteers forge ahead knowing it is easier to do it yourself. This results in solo ministry rather than team development and thus long term service by the same volunteers.
  8. Status Quo. Doing what we’ve always done out of habit (because we’ve always done it) rather than doing what we’ve always done because it works is a habit that restricts growth.
  9. Dust, clutter, decay. We get accustomed to dust, clutter, and decay but fresh eyes see it and often avoid return visits.
  10. Loss of Celebration in Worship. Where there is no celebration in worship a sense of duty and obligation makes growth unlikely.

In a follow-up post, I will suggest a few solutions for church leaders to use to change these habits.  (You can read those solutions here.)

What do you think? What habits have you noticed in congregations that restrict their growth potential?

 

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September 9, 2014

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Congregrational Ministries, General Baptists, Leadership, Pastoring

5 Reasons You Should Attend Leverage 2014

By Tyler Feller

For only the second time, young leaders from across different platforms and regions of our country will convene together in Evansville, Indiana to talk about Jesus, life, and ministry at the 2014 Leverage Conference.

leverageLast year, I was able to bring several young adults from our church who serve in high capacity areas as volunteers.  We left with a greater sense of purpose and passion for the work God has called us to do.  The relationships we built with other General Baptist leaders from across the nation were invaluable, and we even met with many of them again throughout the year.

As a young person, it is easy to feel like you are one of very few kingdom builders.  I personally felt deeply inspired and encouraged last year by meeting other young people living for Jesus just like me.

It’s simple. . . attending Leverage 2014 will not leave you disappointed!

Here are 5 Reasons to Attend Leverage 2014 

1.  Develop a  network you can grow with and rely on

Thinking about a problem by ourselves just brings us back to what we already know.  None of us can observe our self in action.  We need outside advice to stimulate thinking.  Having a group of people that are going through some of the same challenges you are can be invaluable.  My most valued leadership moves always come after seeking counsel from trusted friends.  The Leverage Conference connects some of the brightest young leaders from across the nation to enhance a network of support.  Attending this conference will help you get connected with other young Christians experiencing success in the same areas you are, whether it is in ministry, the public school system, or business.

2.  Inspiration

The speakers and breakout leaders lined up for Leverage 2014 have been through the fire and will leave you feeling more passionate about using your influence to impact those around you.  After hearing from and meeting with people living out a Christ honoring life, you will feel inspired in a new way to carry out your mission even stronger than before.

3.  Increased leadership skills

By choosing to attend Leverage 2014, you will sharpen your skills and gain new ones.  You will hear thoughts and ideas from leading experts in leadership and from you specific industry (ministry, public schools, business, etc).  You will gain relevant and practical advice you can implement into your own leadership approach.  The result is that you will become a better person and a better leader.

4. Future employment opportunities

You may or may not be looking for a new job at the moment, but you never know when you or someone you know might be.  The more connections we have, the better positioned we are to make a move when God leads us that way.  I’m not looking for a job myself, as I am happily employed, but I did meet Pastor Dustin Thompson at a GB conference a few years ago, which led to my current employment.  You never know who you might meet, or who they might know, who is looking for just your skill set.

5. Go to the next level

Leverage 2014 is designed with the end in mind: stronger leaders mean stronger churches.  The heart of this conference is to equip young people to reach their God-given potential.  The general sessions, breakouts, and networking time is all designed with intentionality, to increase the capacity of the attendees.

This investment will be well worth your money and time, and will use very little of either! Be sure to come say ‘hey!’ when you see me at Leverage 2014. . .

Tyler Feller is currently serving as the Student Pastor at Genesis Church in West Plains, Missouri, and is very active in the General Baptist movement.