Church Matters
Five Tips For Creating A Third Space At Your Church

Five Tips For Creating A Third Space At Your Church

Ray Oldenberg, author of The Great Good Place wrote, “The third place is a generic designation for a great variety of public places that host the regular, voluntary, informal and happily anticipated gatherings of individuals beyond the realms of home and work.” Small...

Bless Those Who Curse You

Bless Those Who Curse You

The knife went in, only a bit deeper this time. Some congregation members had spread gossip about my husband and I, ruining our reputation not only in our community, but with our leadership team as well. People who we thought were friends became our enemies. I felt...

The Case for Lent

The Case for Lent

Aaron Damiani, writing for Pastoresources.com One of the common beliefs among evangelical pastors is that Lent is legalistic. The word “Lent” conjures associations of petty and pointless acts of self-denial, like giving up chocolate or meat while conspicuously wearing...

The Vital Role Of Elderly in Church Growth

The Vital Role Of Elderly in Church Growth

In at least some ways, we are probably all guilty of telling ourselves that in order to best grow our church and impact the community, we need to be focusing on the younger generations and future generations to come. It’s this focus that affects our sermon topics, our...

Referencing Current Films + TV Shows In Sermons

Referencing Current Films + TV Shows In Sermons

“The kingdom of heaven is like . . .” And here begins a common phrase used by Jesus to introduce his popular way of teaching to his disciples and the crowds around him. “The kingdom of heaven is like . . . treasure hidden in a field .  . . a merchant looking for fine...

Gossip in the Church

Gossip in the Church

Have you ever played the gossip game? This game has been around for a long time—probably because of how well it illustrates the effect of gossiping. I remember a particular Vacation Bible School when the youth class played this game. The teacher began by whispering...

Giving Your Worship Service a Budget-Friendly Facelift

Giving Your Worship Service a Budget-Friendly Facelift

Has there begun a slight indentation on the top of your desk from where you bang your head each week trying to plan yet another worship service? Have you already run out of fresh ideas for Sunday worship this year . . . and it’s February? Are you not one of the lucky...

Keeping Church Volunteers from Burning Out

Keeping Church Volunteers from Burning Out

If your church fits the stereotype that 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work, then you can bet your last dollar that 100 percent of those 20 percent either are in the process of burning out, burnt out long ago and are simply mailing in the work they once...

Fighting Addiction With Grace

Fighting Addiction With Grace

Though it typically is thought to be in reference with alcohol, drugs, and, lately, pornography, the term addiction truly refers to an almost unlimited list of habits that negatively affect a person and/or the people around him or her. In addition to these, people in...

Five Tips For Creating A Third Space At Your Church

Five Tips For Creating A Third Space At Your Church

Ray Oldenberg, author of The Great Good Place wrote, “The third place is a generic designation for a great variety of public places that host the regular, voluntary, informal and happily anticipated gatherings of individuals beyond the realms of home and work.” Small...

Bless Those Who Curse You

Bless Those Who Curse You

The knife went in, only a bit deeper this time. Some congregation members had spread gossip about my husband and I, ruining our reputation not only in our community, but with our leadership team as well. People who we thought were friends became our enemies. I felt...

The Case for Lent

The Case for Lent

Aaron Damiani, writing for Pastoresources.com One of the common beliefs among evangelical pastors is that Lent is legalistic. The word “Lent” conjures associations of petty and pointless acts of self-denial, like giving up chocolate or meat while conspicuously wearing...

The Vital Role Of Elderly in Church Growth

The Vital Role Of Elderly in Church Growth

In at least some ways, we are probably all guilty of telling ourselves that in order to best grow our church and impact the community, we need to be focusing on the younger generations and future generations to come. It’s this focus that affects our sermon topics, our...

Referencing Current Films + TV Shows In Sermons

Referencing Current Films + TV Shows In Sermons

“The kingdom of heaven is like . . .” And here begins a common phrase used by Jesus to introduce his popular way of teaching to his disciples and the crowds around him. “The kingdom of heaven is like . . . treasure hidden in a field .  . . a merchant looking for fine...

Gossip in the Church

Gossip in the Church

Have you ever played the gossip game? This game has been around for a long time—probably because of how well it illustrates the effect of gossiping. I remember a particular Vacation Bible School when the youth class played this game. The teacher began by whispering...

Giving Your Worship Service a Budget-Friendly Facelift

Giving Your Worship Service a Budget-Friendly Facelift

Has there begun a slight indentation on the top of your desk from where you bang your head each week trying to plan yet another worship service? Have you already run out of fresh ideas for Sunday worship this year . . . and it’s February? Are you not one of the lucky...

Keeping Church Volunteers from Burning Out

Keeping Church Volunteers from Burning Out

If your church fits the stereotype that 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work, then you can bet your last dollar that 100 percent of those 20 percent either are in the process of burning out, burnt out long ago and are simply mailing in the work they once...

Fighting Addiction With Grace

Fighting Addiction With Grace

Though it typically is thought to be in reference with alcohol, drugs, and, lately, pornography, the term addiction truly refers to an almost unlimited list of habits that negatively affect a person and/or the people around him or her. In addition to these, people in...

Helping Your Small Group Thrive

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