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
Tag Archives: worship
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. […]
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 The Vanishing Seekers
October 31, 2012 6 Comments
Much of the contemporary church has fashioned itself to be “seeker sensitive.” But what if the seekers are no longer seeking? Seeker-friendly churches have been shaped with good intentions. Making church ministry more accessible to the unchurched is an admirable objective. The reigning assumption: large masses of unchurched men and women are actively looking for–seeking–a […]
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 […]
Read more “It’s about Sunday, stupid.”
July 18, 2012 15 Comments
A friend visited the large, famous church on a typical Sunday. The worship band performed with precision. The lighting and fog effects were state of the art. The pastor presented a polished sermon amidst specially built staging. Later in the week a pastor from this church shared their ministry secrets in a seminar. He described […]
Read more No Time for God
May 2, 2012 8 Comments
Last week, at our annual leadership retreat, I asked our leaders to stop talking. I invited them to find a comfortable spot, and just be quiet. And wait. Wait for God to communicate with them. After an extended time we reconvened, and shared what happened during that silent time. For some, it was a relaxing […]
Read more Why Church Doesn’t Fit Most People
March 7, 2012 52 Comments
Most people don’t go to church anymore. And the minority who do regularly attend and appreciate weekly services fit a certain profile. They’re the church-inclined. This shrinking minority differs from the majority in several ways: Audience-Oriented. They appreciate a good presentation from the stage. They prefer to passively listen while the paid professionals on the […]
Read more 5 Wishes for Worship
January 4, 2012 14 Comments
As about half of the typical American church service involves music, I have a few modest wishes. But first, a couple of caveats. I’m not a professional musician. But neither is the majority of pew sitters. I’m in good company. And, I propose that worship music has a primary purpose: to collectively communicate with God […]
Read more
-
Why Church Doesn’t Fit Most People
-
Church Abusing Kids with Root Beer
-
Why People Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore
-
Acts of a Suicidal Church
-
Sunday Morning Fantasies
-
9 Ways to Me-Too Your Ministry Heroes
-
“Life Change Happens in Circles, Not in Rows.” Are You Kidding Me?
-
To Become the Best Church in Town
-
How to Silence Your People
-
Why the Easter Christians Won’t Be Back
-
descriptivegrace: Churches can’t survive because they can’t figu...
-
Joan: "Preachers" who wave the Bible in the air. Why do ...
-
Rocky: What's up with all the "big beards" I see on youth...
-
Sherry: Music that is so loud that anyone who has not alre...
-
Steve-Gaitha Athans: Thanks Thom for "renting the veil" of our "Me too"...
