When children try to dress like their parents, it’s often cute. When teenagers try to emulate rock stars, it’s often bizarre. When adults try to imitate their folk heroes, it’s often embarrassing. Ever since the mass media (my company included) began enabling fame for ministry leaders, adoring church people have scurried to emulate their heroes. […]
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“Life Change Happens in Circles, Not in Rows.” Are You Kidding Me?
May 8, 2013 
3 Comments
They say the “right” thing. “Sunday morning isn’t the main event. The real ministry happens in our small groups.” “Life change happens in circles, not in rows.” More ministry leaders are arriving at an intellectual or spoken conclusion that effective ministry is relational. They may say that person-to-person interaction leads to far more spiritual growth […]
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To Become the Best Church in Town
May 1, 2013 13 Comments
“Our church has the best youth ministry in town.” “Everybody knows we offer the best children’s ministry in the city.” “Our vision is to be the best church in the area.” Over the last ten years I’ve heard statements like these with increasing frequency. Is this a good thing? Does our desire to serve God […]
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How to Silence Your People
April 24, 2013 8 Comments
“Pastors, preach the word boldly and shut the mouths of your listeners!” That was an actual comment from a pastor in response to one of my blog posts. My article encouraged pastors to enhance their preaching with effective communication techniques–such as those that Jesus used. These include listening to your people, and encouraging people’s questions […]
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Why the Easter Christians Won’t Be Back
April 3, 2013 3 Comments
It’s the pinnacle of the church year. Crowds swell. Churches add chairs, and services, and parking lot attendants. Church leaders and members look out over the brimming Easter pews and wish that all these pop-up worshippers would return in the weeks to come. But it’s not likely. Conventional wisdom would suggest that these holiday hordes, […]
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The Upside of Church Decline
March 27, 2013 5 Comments
Just as we received more bad news about church health in America, the analysts have found a positive spin. The Association of Religion Data Archives released the latest downward data in the U.S. Congregational Life Survey, citing “stark evidence of the aging and shrinking of many congregations.” But the organization’s news release carried the headline: […]
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The Idols of Sunday Morning
March 20, 2013 16 Comments
They cheered when the band walked on stage. Without prompting, the fans sprang to their feet. I watched from the back of this large, high-profile church as the Sunday morning service unfolded. The professional musicians performed with precision. Their sound was flawless. Their attractive faces were projected larger than life on the huge overhead screens. […]
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You’re Not Called to Preach
March 6, 2013 13 Comments
The young man was puzzled. He heard me and other panel members cite the inherent limitations of regular lectures and sermons. After we encouraged the audience to insert some experiential elements into their teaching, he raised his hand. “But what about the biblical mandate to preach?” he asked. Now I was puzzled. First, I wondered […]
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Making the World’s Largest Congregation
February 27, 2013 5 Comments
I just returned from the world’s largest worship gathering. And I picked up some ideas for those who wish to grow their congregations to epic proportions. I witnessed an estimated 50 million faithful gather in one place to seek the Almighty’s favor, wash away their sins, and spend time with their admired religious leaders. This […]
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The De-Churched: Why They Left
February 12, 2013 24 Comments
They left church behind. Now they outnumber those who’ve stayed. Why have they turned their backs on a community of believers? What is it about today’s church that keeps them away? Over the last year, while working on a major documentary film that examines America’s state of faith and the condition of the church, I’ve […]
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Why Church Doesn’t Fit Most People
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Church Abusing Kids with Root Beer
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Why People Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore
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Acts of a Suicidal Church
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Sunday Morning Fantasies
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9 Ways to Me-Too Your Ministry Heroes
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“Life Change Happens in Circles, Not in Rows.” Are You Kidding Me?
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To Become the Best Church in Town
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How to Silence Your People
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Why the Easter Christians Won’t Be Back
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drwayman: Wearing a golf shirt or hawaiian shirt when you pr...
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descriptivegrace: Churches can’t survive because they can’t figu...
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Joan: "Preachers" who wave the Bible in the air. Why do ...
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Rocky: What's up with all the "big beards" I see on youth...
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Sherry: Music that is so loud that anyone who has not alre...
