October 6, 2023
Alan Scott says he's aware of many ministers who are "struggling . . . tired . . . weary . . . perhaps even crushed." He offers several "healing strategies" to help and encourage your pastor.
November 16, 2021
An excerpt from the new book, "At the Blue Hole: Elegy for a Church on the Edge," by Jack R. Reese, about the noninstrumental Churches of Christ which are now seen as being in rapid decline.
July 15, 2012
By Brian Maris It”s not all smooth sailing for the megachurches. Church leaders I interviewed foresee some storms on the horizon. In my previous column (May 27), I shared seven positive trends megachurches are experiencing. These were gleaned from interviewing nine authors, academics, megachurch pastors, and missional church planters. These nine were overwhelmingly optimistic about the future of megachurches. But not everything they see is positive. Today, we”ll look at three concerns that were mentioned in those interviews. 1. Overfishing in Other Churches” Ponds “There are two kinds of megachurches,” states Eddie Gibbs, senior professor of church growth at
June 5, 2012
By Darrel Rowland Jim Putman readily agrees that a lengthy ministry is no guarantee of spiritual success. “Just because you”re in a place a long time doesn”t mean it”s going to be effective. You”re going to have to be the right kind of leader in a long-term ministry.” But that right kind of leader can be more effective over the long haul, he says. “I think the largest churches in the United States are led by people who”ve been there for a period of time and figured out how to make an impact, and how to grow people spiritually and
September 12, 2010
By Rick Grover People ask me the same questions they probably ask you: “Is your church seeker-driven, purpose-driven, missional, attractional, emergent, or traditional?” I always find it difficult to answer these questions without getting into lengthy discussions about the meaning of words and terms. And I also dislike the notion of being pigeonholed. Who doesn”t? When I think of labels for churches, I”ve coined one that I especially hope will never be used to describe ours: “Tourist Church.” Are you familiar with this name? You should be, because it is quickly becoming an unfortunate description of the American church. While
January 10, 2008
By Chuck Booher Fifteen years ago I visited one of the largest churches in the country. I was in awe of its high school ministry: 2,000 high school students passionately worshiping Christ. However, when I recently visited this same church I was disheartened to discover its high school ministry had dropped to 500 students. The church has doubled in size, and yet its youth ministry is dwindling. The reason definitely isn”t a lack of students in the area. In fact, the city recently opened two new high schools, and its junior college is brimming with college students. Ironically, as I
November 30, 2005
Jim Putman views the church through a coach’s eyes and argues “winning” means making disciples. He challenges leaders to return to relational discipleship and to face hard realities without giving up on the mission.
Sponsored
Sponsored
Sponsored
April 21, 2026
David Faust
April 21, 2026
Quentin Davis
April 14, 2026
James Thompson