Ready or Not? 3 questions to evaluate a church's readiness to reach out. Douglas J. Brouwer
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—Douglas J. Brouwer
Discuss
1. Should our focus as a church be on growth? Why grow? What is the biblical foundation for church growth?
2. Growth often means loss of comfort—perhaps the loss of a "family feeling" among church members. What are we willing to give up to see new people join our ranks?
3. What "side doors" do we offer people? What systems are in place to make sure these people connect ...
Most longtime members find it more comfortable to attend a church plateaued in size, or one experiencing gradual numerical decline, than to participate in a fast-growing congregation. Why?
1. Stability. The first, and for many the most powerful, reason for this attitude is that the worshiping community can be a comforting and affirming stability zone. For people who find that every other facet of their ...
Welcome Check-up How does our congregation measure up? Stephen C. Butler
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Every church wants to welcome and nurture new people. Here are 5 categories to help you assess how your church is doing:
1. Visibility. Newcomers to our community can easily find out about our church through a listing in the Yellow Pages, a weekly ad in the local newspaper, brochures in motels, a web site, a message on the church's answering machine that lists the times of services and classes. Our ...
1. Which of the above characteristics are plainly evident in our church? How are they manifested?
2. What is one concrete way we can improve our area of greatest weakness?
3. In Ephesians 3:19, the apostle Paul prays that believers would be "filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." When has our church been filled with the fullness of God?
"Growing numbers of Americans say they are spiritual but not religious," says Robert Wuthnow in After Heaven, his assessment of American spiritual development since 1950. It is a spirituality without truth or authority but filled with belief in the supernatural. It is a trend born of the modern fears of religion.
The church must echo Jesus' own powerful critique of religion and visibly demonstrate ...
Budget Basics Applying fundamental principles can take some of the uncertainty out of church finances. C. Neil Strait
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These are some basic steps to take in handling the finances of your church. Evaluate how well you understand these basic principles. Put a checkmark in all the boxes that describe your church.
The Budget TeamA budget will establish the priorities for ministry and improve money management, as well as provide a periodic review toward goal achievement. You must carefully select the people who fashion ...
Avoid Budget Snares Traps your church can bypass as you craft a budget. Gary Fenton
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How church leaders work out disagreements at the dollars-and-cents stage of finances requires humility, patience, and looking at the big picture, as the Scripture above calls for. Here are some traps to avoid as you determine funding for each of your ministries:
1. Line-item trap. Line items are usually designed for administrative purposes. A couple of families met with me regarding the lack of funding ...
Every budgeting process involves this basic question: "How much should we give to each ministry and line item?" From this major question, a series of other questions needs to be answered. Use this assessment tool to find out what progress your church has made in answering them. Under each item, check the box that is the most accurate description of your church.
Know Where the Money Goes Accountability can be achieved without resorting to a complicated reporting system. Richard Bergstrom
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Every church has to find a way to avoid cumbersome reporting of purchases and yet accurately monitor expenses. How well is your church doing in accomplishing both of these goals?
—Richard Bergstrom
Discuss
1. In Luke 19:15, the servant gives a budget report to the king. Who in a church should receive budget reports, and when?
2. What is your church's overall score on the assessment tool? What does ...
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