Category Archives: Church Growth

Church Leadership: Recent Study on Megachurches

Christianity Today recently published the results of a broadly based study on megachurches (churches with attendance over 2,000) by Leadership Network and Hartford Institute, including comparisons with smaller churches. Even though there are very few megachurches within the Churches of … Continue reading

Posted in Leadership, Megachurches, Uncategorized | 20 Comments

Carey Nieuwhof: How Pastoral Care Stunts Church Growth

I’m quickly becoming a fan of the writings of Carey Nieuwhof on church leadership. He writes very much in the manner of Thom Rainer, but he writes as the pastor of a megachurch (Connexus Church, north of Toronto Canada). He recently … Continue reading

Posted in Church Growth, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Leadership: Evangelism

I should start with this confession: I don’t know much of anything about evangelism. I’m not good at it. I know people who are pretty good at it. And I’ve asked, them how they do it, and they give, what … Continue reading

Posted in Church Growth, Leadership, Uncategorized | 80 Comments

Direct Hit: A Follow Up Question from a Reader

I get emails (and insomnia) — Jay…I ran across your thoughts on church leadership. If one wants to be trained in how to lead a church to grow, especially a CoC preacher like myself, where would you recommend? Preferably, I … Continue reading

Posted in Church Growth, Direct Hit, The Future of the Churches of Christ, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

The Future of the Churches of Christ: Direct Hit, Part 5 (Developing Resources; Bringing in a Consultant)

We’re studying through Paul D. Borden’s Direct Hit: Aiming Real Leaders at the Mission Field. Developing Resources The pastor must develop three teams to help him as change agent — 1. A prayer team to bathe the process in continuous prayer. … Continue reading

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The Future of the Churches of Christ: Direct Hit, Part 4 (Urgency)

We’re studying through Paul D. Borden’s Direct Hit: Aiming Real Leaders at the Mission Field. Urgency The missional vision of the church must be seen as urgent, or else the church will always find a different priority to pursue. And the … Continue reading

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The Future of the Churches of Christ: Direct Hit, Part 3 (Wisdom, Exegeting the Community)

We’re studying through Paul D. Borden’s Direct Hit: Aiming Real Leaders at the Mission Field. Wisdom Wise leaders guide but do not overrun sheep. They never ask more of their sheep than they are willing to do as leaders. However, they … Continue reading

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The Future of the Churches of Christ: Direct Hit, Part 2 (Communications, Courage)

We’re studying through Paul D. Borden’s Direct Hit: Aiming Real Leaders at the Mission Field. Communications Borden recognizes how very important communications are to church change and growth. He sounds a little extreme, but I think he’s exactly right. Every spoken … Continue reading

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The Future of the Churches of Christ: Direct Hit, Part 1 (Leadership, Barriers)

I’ve stumbled across a book by Paul D. Borden, Direct Hit: Aiming Real Leaders at the Mission Field. Paul led the American Baptist Churches in the northwestern US to be revitalized and to grow. Now, the American Baptists are considered mainline churches, … Continue reading

Posted in Church Growth, Direct Hit, The Future of the Churches of Christ, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Leadership: Mark Driscoll on Church Growth

Mark Driscoll pastors the Mars Hill Church in Seattle, which is quite a large and effective congregation. Here’s his advice on church growth — 1. Begin with the end in mind and know how large you want to be. … … Continue reading

Posted in Church Growth, Uncategorized | 9 Comments