Welcome to episode 439. How do church leaders get so stuck? I think it’s because we are all so bound by routines. Routines aren’t bad, but they can easily become ruts. So, how do we re-kindle the passion of God’s mission? Maybe, by talking to a church planter. Today we talk with Luke Parker on church planting and more.

Today is part 2 of our series on investing in people over programs. And, we’re going to focus on our systems for follow-through. Systems may not sound like relational evangelism but it is – in fact, it’s the engine that moves the whole thing forward. Follow-up from guests, volunteers or prayer needs are how we actually care for others well.

When I talk with church leaders, I get a lot of questions like: what do you do for discipleship? What do you do for new members? At the heart of these questions is a desire to share best practices. But sometimes it’s a search for a magic bullet that will solve spiritual problems. Why investing in people is always more effective than programs.

It’s Holy Week (if you’re listening in real time) and there are a million things to do – and all of it vying for your time and attention. But, pastor, how is your soul this week? Are you already on empty? What if this week, you can recharge your batteries by remembering your dependence on Jesus?

Have you checked your online sermon retention? Good, me neither. But there’s an important truth about preaching – it’s not just about carefully crafted theology, but engaging delivery. Research shows that 65% of people are visual learners, but what does that mean for preaching. Easter preaching for a visually-engaged culture.

Easter may not be as big an outreach as Christmas, but the in-reach to occasional attenders is huge. Besides, it’s still a pretty big opportunity to reach people who are looking for a church. So how can we think strategically about reaching (and retaining) Easter Guests.

We’re hearing of another revival among students in Florida almost 3 years exactly from the Asbury Outpouring. Our culture may be more open to Jesus than at any other time in the last 50 years. Is your church ready for what God is doing? 5 Questions to make sure your church doesn’t miss revival.

We are in the middle of Lent. It’s a time to for Christians to go deeper, reconnect, repent, and challenge themselves to get rid of the distractions and focus on Jesus. So why are pastors so bad at it sometimes? Let’s talk about how to fix it.

Do you feel like your church’s best days are behind it? Well, what if that doesn’t have to be the case? Today we welcome Dr. Kara Powell, Executive Dir. of the Fuller Youth Institute, to discuss her book, Future-Focused Church, and how any church can take the next faithful step (which may be simpler than you think).

No matter where you are in your journey toward church health or leading change, it’s rare that you feel like you have enough resources to do it. I think that’s because it takes risk and trust to build what God’s building in us. What to do when giving lags behind growth.