The following is an excerpt from Faith-Based: A Biblical, Practical Guide to Strategic Planning in the Church, by Michael Gafa: Ministry is not for the faint of heart! While there are numerous blessings that come from serving the Lord and His people, so too are there numerous challenges – many of which are very, very messy. In the absence of …
The Solid-Slushy-Liquid Approach to Prioritizing Plans
On today’s Whiteboard Wednesday, Mike Gafa describes the “solid-slushy-liquid” tool that can be used in church or corporate settings to help organize and prioritize plans. As you work through a planning process, you may have a number of potential plans that you would like to complete in a year. However, you may know instinctively that having too many plans may …
Small Churches Matter
In a super-sized society, we can default to assuming that bigger is always better. To the contrary, 12 ounces of a carbonated, sugar-saturated beverage may be better for us than 32 ounces. Likewise, expecting a Chihuahua to grow to the size of a St. Bernard is unrealistic. Besides, their ears would be as big as satellite dishes. In some cases, …
Coaching: Taking the Next Best Faithful Step
On today’s Whiteboard Wednesday, Andy Bossardet, Coordinator for Equipping Thriving Congregations for the Reformed Church in America, answers the questions, “What is coaching?” and “How can coaching help you?” On today’s whiteboard, we’re going to consider the life of your church, and entering the liminal space. “Liminal” means the space between the ‘here’ and the ‘not yet,’ or the ‘now’ …
Complete Unity?
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:22-23 Question: Is “complete unity” (or, as …
Hospitality: The Big Eleven Part 3
On today’s Whiteboard Wednesday, Doug McClintic, Church Multiplication Catalyst for Luminex, describes the last steps of the “Big Eleven.” As we move toward the last steps of the “Big Eleven” tool, let’s assume that the new visitor has shown a great deal of interest in your church at this point. It is important at this juncture that you not ignore …
Five Steps to Create a Leadership Development Culture in the Local Church
Leadership development in the local church must be intentional. It doesn’t happen by itself or with just good intentions. It starts with creating a culture that fosters the development of all people for ministry. There are many definitions of culture, but Merriam-Webster offers a definition that relates well with what I hope to say here: “Culture is the set of …
Hospitality: The Big Eleven, Part 2
Doug McClintic continues discussing the best way to follow-up with first time visitors in your congregation using a tool called “The Big Eleven” on today’s Whiteboard Wednesday. The Big Eleven is a tool to use during the first three weeks a first-time visitor comes to your church. The Big Eleven is comprised of eleven steps, and in Part Two (of …
Hospitality: The Big Eleven Part 1
Doug McClintic discusses the best way to follow-up with first time visitors in your congregation using a tool called “The Big Eleven” on today’s Whiteboard Wednesday. The Big Eleven is a tool to use during the first three weeks a first time visitor comes to your church. The Big Eleven is comprised of eleven steps, and in Part One (of …
Building Job Descriptions for Mission
On Today’s Whiteboard Wednesday, Dan Ackerman, Executive Leader for the Zeeland Classis of the Reformed Church in America, speaks about how to create effective job descriptions that will enhance mission growth. The great news about Pentecost is that God entrusted his Church with the plan to expand His Kingdom. In fact, God’s mission in Pentecost, or from Pentecost, can be …