Revitalization, in a Pastor’s Own Words
What is the secret of revitalizing a congregation? One pastor’s answer, found at the Big Tent Revival.
PERSPECTIVES articles
The Truth about Consensus
“Let’s work by consensus!” is a familiar rallying cry. It feels egalitarian, generative and worthy. So we set aside Robert’s Rules of Order and begin a dialogue where all are encouraged to weigh in. We promise ourselves that we won’t move forward until we’ve reached an agreement that everyone likes. And then the problems begin, because …
Boundaries and Partnership
by Dan Hotchkiss
Building a healthy partnership—negotiating roles, addressing misbehavior, setting and achieving goals—is hard work that requires an atmosphere of trust. Firm boundaries and self-differentiation—knowing who I am and how I feel while keeping lines of communication open—are essential for a healthy partnership.
Chaos Theory and Congregational Life
One reason for congregational decline may be that congregations are still operating on Newtonian principles in a social universe that no longer functions that way.
Congregational Culture is Crucial
by John Wimberly
Too many congregations are obsessed with finding the right pastor or creating the right programs, when we should be focused on congregational culture.
What to Do When Nothing Works Anymore
If you’re doing everything you’ve always done as a congregation but it’s not working anymore, you may be alarmed, but you’re not alone. Once upon a time, we all shared a congregational business model that seemed effective and ordained: Over the last couple of decades, however, this model has changed. Now, growing congregations look very …
What’s Your Brand?
by Dan Hotchkiss
Successful store managers know there’s one thing customers like even more than quality, convenience, or low prices: People like to get what they expect. And so smart store managers advertise a strong, distinctive “brand” and consistently deliver customer experiences that fit that brand. Churches and synagogues can learn from this.