A tree doesn’t survive the winter without healthy roots. Neither do we. I remember that bleak February morning when my husband and I loaded up our car and drove through the stripped-bare forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains to move into my parents’ basement. Everything felt cold, including my heart. Weeks earlier, my dad was
Any idea what the best outreach opportunity of the year at your church is? You might think it’s an event you do, or perhaps it’s Easter. But whether Christmas has historically been your best opportunity to reach unchurched people or not, I believe it could be. You may think it’s far too early to start thinking
What comes to mind when you think about Thanksgiving Day? For many of us, it would probably be turkey. After all, it’s the centerpiece of our traditional celebration. As family and friends gather around the table, we generally offer a sincere prayer of gratitude to God for all His blessings before enjoying the food and
So you’re a reader, but which books can give you the unique insight you need to make sure not only that the organization you lead is healthy, but that you and your team stay healthy? I get asked all the time from leaders what my top leadership books are. I’ve put together my top picks.
The work of any church is done by an army of dedicated people. Some are staff, some are volunteers—some are a lonely team of one. It’s often thankless work, so do everything you can to say thank you. We’ve got a list of 30 ways to show your appreciation and thanks. You can get the whole
When I was a kid we played outside—without iPhones, Xboxes, and PlayStations. We used our imaginations a lot. Some of my earliest memories are of playing Army in my neighborhood. The tiny town of Nutter Fort, West Virginia, became the great battlefields of American history. Park Hill was Mount Surabachi on Iwo Jima, Elk Creek
Daylight Saving Time is so weird. The clocks “fall back” an hour and everybody gets confused. If people forget, they’ll show up to your Sunday morning worship service an hour early. Awkward. So we’ve got some tips and social media posts that can help you remind your congregation. Download our free Daylight Saving Tips & Tweets resource that
Will you keep your faith in college? Odds are you won’t, at least according to Barna Research. Barna estimates that roughly 70% of high school students who enter college as professing Christians will leave with little to no faith. These students usually don’t return to their faith even after graduation, as Barna projects that 80%
Christians are really good at co-opting things. We can turn any movie title or brand name into a cheesy Christian alternative. We’ve created our own musical genre that’s not defined by music. Much of our modern Christmas traditions were co-opted from pagans. Yet Halloween remains a mystery. Maybe the evil associations have scared us away.
Money can be an awkward issue for churches and guest speakers. It’s the issue both parties consider; but it’s often the issue around which both parties tiptoe. It should not be that way. It’s really a matter of biblical stewardship and hospitality. Over the years, I have worked with many churches and speakers (and a
