Church Archives - Page 4 of 65

Let’s Stop Calling Church Planting “The Hardest Thing You Will Ever Do”

Chris — November 20, 2014

There’s a scare tactic used in a lot of training materials for church planting. You open up a keynote speech at a conference by saying something along the lines of:

“Beware! Church Planting is the Hardest Thing You Will Ever Do!”

From there, you go on to list a bunch of scary statistics about how wives hate their husband’s decision to plant a church and how all planters have back problems.

Don’t get me wrong, Church Planting is hard.

My fear is that this scare tactic doesn’t work. Worse, it can create some very unhelpful (or even sinful) thought patterns in the mind of the planter.

Also, if something is “the hardest thing you’ve ever done,” you should consider asking “is it possible I’m doing it wrong?”

In Church, Mission

Which Multi-site Megachurch will Dissolve Next?

Chris — November 6, 2014

For some, the announcement that Seattle-based multisite megachurch Mars Hill would officially dissolve earlier this week, was received with a sigh of relief.

It’s a tragic day for those who have given their lives for the past few years to create this multi-million dollar religious organization. There was much good accomplished and lives changed.

Praise God!

Also, many people were hurt. Plenty of blame has been dished out on Mark Driscoll for his arrogant and bullying approach to leadership.

But was Driscoll the real problem?

Or is this inevitable?

In Church, Mission

How One Full Year of Church Planting Has Messed Me Up

Chris — October 29, 2014

On October 15 of 2013, we held our first official Sunday Liturgy for Austin Mustard Seed. It was pouring rain, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. That morning a few dozen people showed up, most of whom were a complete surprise.

A year later, we’re still at it. It has messed me up in three ways. Continue Reading…

In Church, Mission

Beyond Faking It: 12 Steps for Doubting God, Following Jesus and Participating in a Church

Chris — October 2, 2014

Should you “fake it” on Sunday morning?

There are a lot of good reasons to be a part of a church community.

A few of them have to do existential affirmations on eternity.

People who are a part of a church community tend to live longer, stay married longer and be generally healthier. Church provides a sense of shared cultural practices identity that seems to be disappearing from our increasingly monolithic culture. A lot of people go to church because they think it’s good for their families.

So it has its benefits.

Beneficial enough that some might consider joining a church community even if they don’t buy into the belief system. Faking it can lead to three different results:

Internal angst from a sense of dishonesty
Outright hypocrisy
Slowly assimilating to the beliefs around you

None of those seem terribly honest or helpful.

In Church, Growth, Life

Eight Ways Churches Should Be Using Social Media

Chris — September 11, 2014

Whether you are a world-renown brand or a local handyman, you can’t get away from social media.

Social Media is often the first way people will encounter you. It’s a contributing factor to your search rankings. It’s a sign that you are alive and participating in today’s world.

Social media is not sexy. It’s not (necessarily) going to drive a lot of traffic to your website. It’s not going to make you the coolest new church or ministry in town.

It is like one of my clients has said, “table stakes.” Like the phone book decades back, it’s part of doing business.

In my day job, I help individuals, businesses and non-profits tell their story with content and social media marketing. I try to apply the same rules to myself, and to our church community, Austin Mustard Seed. Although, as a landscaper too busy to care for his ugly yard, I don’t always represent the ideal I want for others.

Churches have to be on social media. But they need to be there thoughtfully, purposefully and personally. Here are eight
ways that your Church should be using social media Continue Reading…

In Church, Life Church, social media

Archives For Church

Let’s Stop Calling Church Planting “The Hardest Thing You Will Ever Do”

Which Multi-site Megachurch will Dissolve Next?

How One Full Year of Church Planting Has Messed Me Up

Beyond Faking It: 12 Steps for Doubting God, Following Jesus and Participating in a Church

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