Graphic of a church against the New York City skyline
 
Amy Butler, pastor of the historic Riverside Church in New York City, reflects on how churches can faithfully address the issues of the day without turning every Sunday into a political rally. She says a church's prophetic witness must be grounded in the gospel and flow authentically from a healthy lived experience of beloved community.

Person holding up three fingers
 
Aaron M. Bouwens says too many churches make decisions based on the popularity and charisma of a plan's proponents. He says congregations can make better decisions by asking key questions about the proposal's alignment with mission and whether there are enough people and resources to support it.

The Right Question
Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions. 

Think about the agenda for your governing board or a committee on which you serve and ask these questions.

What items are always on the agenda?
What items are rarely or never on the agenda?
What does that say about our priorities and possible missing items?

Wooden signpost and text What is God_s vision for your congregation_

Discovering God's Future for Your Church is a turnkey tool kit to help your congregation discern and implement God's vision for its future. The resource guides your church in discovering God's vision in your history and culture, your current congregational strengths and weaknesses, and the needs of your surrounding community. The tool kit features videos, leader's guides, discussion exercises, planning tools, handouts, diagrams, worksheets, and more.

Passing the offering plate

This free resource in our popular "50 Ways" series provides effective strategies for improving your stewardship campaign. Topics include: plan carefully; structure your campaign to acknowledge unique giving patterns; know what motivates people to give; ask in effective ways; follow-up; and more.

Support the Lewis Center

Leading Ideas is made possible by contributions to the Lewis Center for Church Leadership from readers like you. Thank you.

Doctor of Ministry graduate
 
Wesley Theological Seminary and the Lewis Center together offer two Doctor of Ministry programs.  The Public Engagement track equips participants to lead congregations in healing the brokenness experienced in communities while being beacons of hope.  The Church Leadership Excellence track provides clergy the enhanced knowledge, skills, and motivation to increase congregational and denominational service, vitality, and growth.  

Quotable Leadership

Visioning is a gift of God. It is a reward of disciplined, faithful, and patient listening to God.

Rueben Job
Cartoon thought bubble with a lightning symbol

The mandate given by Jesus to his followers was to take his authority to proclaim the counterculture Kingdom of God, to teach and demonstrate Spirit-empowered living and to heal the sick and oppressed. Rev. Mike Slaughter writes in Ministry Matters about three nontraditional, out-of-the-box approaches to accomplishing Jesus' mandate.


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