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 
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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 […]
Read more 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 […]
Read more 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: […]
Read more 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 […]
Read more Go on a Ministry Diet
January 16, 2013 5 Comments
It’s that time of year. Time to take an honest look at your health and body. Time to resolve to make some changes. It may be time to go on a diet. And for people in ministry, it may be time to go on a ministry diet. Time to cut back on some things. Time […]
Read more The Real Reason They Go to Church
November 28, 2012 6 Comments
“I got nothing out of that service,” John told me after church. “Why do you go to church?” I asked. “I go because I want to feel better,” he said. John is not alone. He’s among about half the church-going population that attends a weekly service for some reason other than worshipping God. Church leaders […]
Read more 5 Ways the Church Will Change
November 14, 2012 19 Comments
Is the American church fading away? Will the losses in membership and attendance lead to a marginalized church presence such as that in present-day Europe? What will the American church look like in ten years? Church leaders, denominational executives, and religion researchers gathered in Colorado recently to examine the church’s health and prognosis. The Future […]
Read more Church Infighting: It’s Killing Us
October 3, 2012 12 Comments
The pastor’s email was stunning. “I have recently been sick and in the hospital. During the stay, I was notified via text that my services were no longer needed.” While the pastor laid suffering in the hospital the church leadership council chose to pull the plug. And deliver the unexpected news via text message. Cold? […]
Read more Sunday Morning Fantasies
September 19, 2012 25 Comments
Bear with me as I fantasize. About Sunday morning. At church. The worship leader begins the service with: “Everybody please be seated. I don’t know why I’ve asked you to stand every time we sing. But whatever the reason, I realized it’s become just another cliche´. So please be seated.” The pastor begins the sermon–and […]
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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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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...
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Steve-Gaitha Athans: Thanks Thom for "renting the veil" of our "Me too"...
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lindaransonjacobs: You crack me up. Spot on with this post. Couldn't ...
