How can your church be friendlier to newcomers? Karl Vaters believes churches can become friendlier by implementing the G.I.F.T. Plan: Greet, Introduce, Follow up, and Thank. By encouraging intentional, simple actions like greeting newcomers and following up, churches can build genuine relationships and make visitors feel welcome, leading to lasting connections and a more welcoming [...] The post 5 Steps to Help Your Church Be Friendlier to Guests first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Lea...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Congregations with a significant proportion of young adults share distinctive traits. For churches seeking to engage these individuals, Perry Chang shares some “do’s” and “don’ts” drawn from a Faith Communities Today study. This article was originally published on May 7, 2014. The content remains relevant, so we are reposting for all who may have missed [...] The post Best Practices for Reaching Young Adults first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The post Best Pract...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
The Travelers’ Christmas Eve Service at Park Avenue United Methodist Church in New York City is a beloved annual tradition, shares Jessica Anschutz. Designed for both congregants who travel before Christmas Eve and visitors from around the world, the service—typically held on the third or fourth Sunday of Advent—offers a meaningful celebration featuring carols, scripture [...] The post Travelers’ Christmas Eve Service first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The post Trav...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Stephen Handy says we must reframe discipleship as a daily experience fostered through the practice of breaking bread together and sharing hope.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
As the holiday season approaches, church leaders face heightened stress while preparing meaningful celebrations and making meaningful connections. Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff encourages church leaders to nurture spiritual connections, foster relationships with neighbors and guests, and actively invite people to engage in worship and ministry. Transform the season into an opportunity for| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
How can your congregation more effectively engage people in the digital sphere? Jim Keat, Digital Minister at The Riverside Church in New York City, shares tips and strategies that can help any church approach digital ministry with more intentionality and focus. Watch the interview video, listen to the interview, or continue reading. Ann Michel: How have| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Phil Maynard says that the typical greeting time during a worship service encourages people to shake a lot of hands rather than really engaging someone new. He offers simple strategies and conversation starters to encourage deeper connections. In a typical greeting time during worship, people are encouraged to turn to their neighbors and welcome them| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Pastor Molly Phinney Baskette invites you to see your building through the eyes of a newcomer, noting what’s confusing or unattractive, and identifying ways to make your building more welcoming.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Lovett H. Weems Jr. shares metrics for gauging your church’s effectiveness in bringing new people to faith. He also outlines three clues that can help churches of all sizes reach new believers. The Religious Workforce Project of the Lewis Center is a multiyear effort to understand the changing religious landscape in the 21st century. Funded by the Lilly| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Lewis Center Director Doug Powe says siloed age-level ministries often prevent congregations from worshiping together around one common table. But the pandemic provided an opportunity for us to rethink our concepts of place and space and to reimagine what it means for us all to be together. This article was originally published on June 29,| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Laura Heikes, pastor of a predominantly Anglo congregation in a Texas border town, shares how her congregation became more present to the people and culture of the surrounding community. Several small but strategic “acts of resistance” challenging dominant cultural norms were the first steps in a process of renewal aimed at transforming her church from| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Tom Berlin describes strategies for encouraging your regular attenders to worship in overflow spaces outside the sanctuary when additional seating is needed on Easter so that visitors will feel welcome and have a quality worship experience. This article was originally published on March 8, 2017. Increased worship attendance on Easter Sunday requires some churches to| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Rev. Dr. Michael L. Henderson Sr. describes how a church he planted grew to over 7,000 members through an intentional process for developing disciples grounded in the core belief that discipleship and evangelism are organically interconnected. Decades ago, I planted New Beginnings Church (NBC), a solo church plant located in Matthews, North Carolina, outside of| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
How can congregations build meaningful connections with young adults? Brandi Nicole Williams, Director for the African American Church Evangelism Institute, offers eight practical strategies for bridging the generational gap and fostering relationships with Gen Z to build a more relevant church community. In today’s rapidly changing world, the church faces a critical challenge: engaging and| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
The Fuller Youth Institute’s “Faith Beyond Youth Group” research initiative explored character as the vehicle for both faith longevity and faith vibrancy throughout the week. Their research yielded five compass points to guide the formation of character in young people — cultivating trust, modeling growth, teaching for transformation, practicing together, and making meaning. The findings| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
