Style Conscious

By Nathan Smith A few years back, I led worship on a regular basis at a midsized suburban church that was made up primarily of white, middle-class Americans. I often would speak with the pastor, a good friend, about the church”s “brand” and where he felt God was leading it. The worship gatherings were musically and aesthetically appealing, but I couldn”t get over the fact that we were “selling” a product completely disconnected from the worshipping body. The services were being designed for visitor Q rather than the Christian church member. (A bit of a disclaimer here, I do believe

January 10, 2011

Jon Weatherly

Church Leadership Preaching

The Cure for Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

Jon Weatherly warns that practical preaching can unintentionally feed moralistic therapeutic deism unless every biblical message remains organically connected to the cross.

September 27, 2006

Mark A. Taylor

Mission & Evangelism

The Lobby Test

Vince Antonucci’s “lobby test” reveals whether churches are reaching people who have never attended church before. His challenge invites congregations to see themselves through outsiders’ eyes and pursue Jesus’ mission to seek and save the lost.