The physical environment of your church says more about your ministry than you may realize. Smart people in the business world recognize the importance of “place.” Apple gets it. Starbucks get it. And McDonald’s is currently going through a billion-dollar makeover to attract and keep more customers. They’re nixing the garish colors, the steel seats [...]

Where are the young adults? Well, they’re not in church. Today’s 18- to 29-year-olds are less inclined to attend church than earlier generations at this stage of life. But their views of the existence of God, life after death, and prayer closely resemble previous generations, according to the Pew Forum and other researchers. “Church is [...]

Many churches cause unnecessary pain with personnel issues. And some put themselves at considerable legal risk. Amateurish and dangerous HR actions in churches often result from two factors. First, pastors and other staff members may be trained in theology and counseling, but not in organizational leadership or employment practice. And lay leaders also often lack [...]

It felt like a bad movie. We stepped quietly through room after deserted room. Children’s decorations hung from the ceilings. Lonely toys sat motionless in the corners. Small wooden kids’ chairs lined up in front of the old upright piano. Waiting. Waiting for the children to return to sing those old gospel songs. As we [...]

(A letter found on a desk at church) I appreciate what you’re trying to do with “family ministry” at church. And I know you’re disappointed in me and the other parents. I know I should do more to teach our kids in the ways of the Lord. You’ve given us a lot of stuff to [...]

I’m often asked: “How do I get published?” Maybe you have a literary gem or fabulous idea that would benefit the world. After publishing thousands of books and articles by a wide variety of writers over the years at Group Publishing, I have a few hints for how to get started. 1. Have something fresh [...]

You either have it, or you don’t. Are true leaders born or made? When it comes to effectively leading, motivating and administrating staff, truly great leaders “come from the factory” as natural leaders. Many disagree with this conclusion. Numerous leadership “gurus,” writers, speakers, teachers and trainers contend that leadership is a skill that anyone can [...]

It was a sad scene. The followers and donors slumped in their chairs as they heard allegation after allegation about their former hero. Last week I watched from the back of the room as damning stories unfolded about humanitarian Greg Mortenson, author of the best-selling “Three Cups of Tea.” His friends and former friends reacted [...]

Many church leaders pursue relevance with a passion. But are they providing a truly relevant ministry? Relevance—connecting God to people’s everyday lives—is a good thing. But some things done in the name of relevance can make us look, well, like wannabe cool Christians. Many churches try to capture relevance through cosmetics—surface applications that attempt to [...]

The lecture method of teaching (e.g., preaching) delivers disappointing results. The problem isn’t with the competency of the speaker. Even the best lecturers falter when compared with other approaches to teaching and learning. Research continues to show the weakness of the lecture approach. The latest appeared this month in the journal Science. A Nobel prize-winning [...]