In his classic text Leading Change, John Kotter offers a number of insights into the mechanics of change. If your church is going to grow it will require change and leading change in your church requires great wisdom. Examine these eight fundamental qualities of successful change and see if they…
I recently met with a church that was having consistent baptisms but not experiencing net growth. They asked me to help them plan some strategies that would keep those they reached. About the same time I read Tom Rainer’s blog on “closing the back door.” How does a church keep…
One of the joys of serving Kentucky Baptists is visiting and preaching in churches across our state. I love our city churches and our country churches and all those in between. This year I have been in a number of our churches and have served as an interim. On my…
There have been many articles written about Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple who died on October 5, 2011. He was a very intentional leader. His biographer, Walter Isaacson, said, “Some leaders push innovations by being good at the big picture. Others do so by mastering details. Jobs did both,…
Like most of you reading this, I love to see churches grow and reach people for Jesus Christ. I have benefited from the writings and research of Charles Arn on this subject. Recently he wrote an article called, “Why Churches Don’t Grow” for Building Church Leaders network. He lists five…
I am a student of church growth and church health and have benefited from the writings and research of Charles Arn. Recently he wrote an article called, “Why Churches Don’t Grow” for Building Church Leaders network. This short article is right on target. In this two-part series, we will look…
The way churches view and conduct discipleship is changing. In the past we have seen discipleship primarily as offering a series of un-connected courses or doctrinal training. We assumed that a mature Christian was someone who really had Bible facts nailed down. Our mistake was assuming that a cognitive experience…
Jim Putman is pastor of Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho. His books, Church is a Team Sport and Real-Life Discipleship are excellent resources for those who lead discipleship in their churches. His church is serious about making disciples who make disciples who make disciples. It is in their…
As we look back 10 years to 9/11 all of us remember where we were and exactly what we were doing on that dreadful day. It was a day that changed all of us in many ways. Even the numbers 9/11 denote a day that causes us to explode with…
Proverbs 22:1 says, A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. This verse relates to our personal reputations and character but also to our churches. Every church has a reputation in the community. Does your church have a good name?…
Two encounters are critical. First, the leader encounters God in His Word and is changed. Second, the leader guides the group to have a life-changing encounter.