Flip clock turning very quickly

Lewis Center Staffer Ann A. Michel says people who think they are too busy to serve at church should be challenged to reexamine their priorities and make first fruits commitments of their time. Helping people steward God's precious gift of time can free them from chronic busyness and allow them to experience the joy of serving.

Read more now.
Engaged young adults at a worship service sitting at a table with their cellphones before them -- Photographer_ Matt Anderson 2015
 
Ebonie Johnson Cooper describes how involving young adults in an innovative process of ministry design can enhance their church participation. She outlines five pilot initiatives that are proving fruitful at Reid Temple AME Church in Maryland.

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

Hayim Herring and Terri Martinson Elton share some questions groups should consider if they plan to gather input through crowdsourcing.

1. What are the potential benefits and limitations of crowdsourcing this idea?
2. What social media tools would you use?
3. How would you separate good ideas from bad ideas?
4. How would you communicate the results?

Increasing Active Engagement Video Tool Kit

What can you do when 20 percent of your congregation does 80 percent of the serving, learning, and leading? The  Increasing Active Engagement Tool Kit  includes videos, narrated presentations, outlines of key points, and supplementary materials to help you get and keep people involved and engaged.

Group of young adults

How can your congregation reach young adults better? Leading Ideas to Reach Young Adults , a curated collection of Leading Ideas articles plus discussion questions, is an ideal conversation starter for those who care deeply about reaching younger generations. This insightful and practical ebook is available for Kindle and PDF.

Support the Lewis Center

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

Child holding a glass jar holding dollar bills

Teaching children to tithe is an important part of their faith education that we often overlook. To the Point: Teaching Children to Tithe suggests using "money jars" to reinforce giving to God, a core value of our faith that should be taught early.

Quotable Leadership

These are the hard times in which a genius would wish to live. Great necessities call forth great leaders.

Abigail Adams, 1790
Journey Through the Psalms

Take an in-depth look at the book of Psalms. Through study of the Word and insights gained through the arts, this course invites us to approach God with the same honesty and intensity as the ancient Psalmists. Journey Through the Psalms is ideal for your congregation's small groups, adult Bible studies, and Sunday School classes. The study includes eight sessions with video introductions, Leader's Guide, Participant's Guide, and more.


Connect with the Lewis Center: