June 30, 2026
Think Discipleship
A reflection on Real Life Ministries, small groups, and how intentional leaders, relational environments, and reproducible processes can move people from spectators to mature disciple-makers.
Articles for tag: Attractional Model
November 1, 2022
Crucial Questions for Church Leaders
By Tyler McKenzie I grew up a preacher’s kid in the rural outskirts of a small city. Every time we walked into a restaurant, my dad visited at least two tables to check-in on people we knew from church. Often, someone would pick up our check. The community honored him. Back then, people looked to clergy for care and accepted their moral exhortation. Gone are those days! Barna president David Kinnaman reported on the clergy credibility crisis in his 2017 book Good Faith. “The public’s respect for pastors, priests, and other faith leaders has significantly declined,” Kinnaman wrote. “Today only
September 22, 2020
What COVID-19 Taught Rural Churches
By Jim Estep State by state, county by county, the COVID-19 pandemic led to limitations, shelter-in-place orders, and essentially a shutdown of “normal.” In rural congregations—which are often smaller, singular in focus (worship), and fairly stable in ministry programming—this became an impetus for reflection, reevaluation, renewal, and a reenvisioning of ministries across the country. Theology of the Church We all know the church is made up of people—it’s not the building or the worship service—but our everyday theology would say otherwise. Whether we like it or not, our default theology turns church into a place or time. (“We are going
June 1, 2013
Missional Revolution
By Darrel Rowland RiverTree Christian Church in Massillon, Ohio, has not tried to become just a little more missional. Led by visionary minister Greg Nettle, more than three years ago the church made a revolutionary commitment to a missional strategy for all its ministry. The result is breeding influence and disciple-building in a way Nettle believes is vital for the very survival of the church in America. Just a few minutes after Greg Nettle”s message and the closing song, a man with an idea pulls him aside in the hallway. “You know what? I know all these remodelers,” the contractor
June 4, 2012
Beware the Second Decade
Veteran church leaders examine statistics linking pastoral tenure and church growth, considering complacency, demographics, leadership capacity, changing congregations, and whether attendance alone can measure a ministry’s effectiveness.
April 24, 2012
The Attractional Model: “˜Come and See”
Brian Jobe challenges the divide between missional and attractional church models, arguing that effective churches can invite people in, build believers up, and send them out to serve.
April 23, 2012
The Missional Model: Go and Make Disciples
Greg Nettle explains RiverTree Christian Church’s move toward missional communities, outward investment, and a new allocation of resources focused on making more and better disciples.
