Smiling_ attentive person sitting in a pew

Simple habits of congregational life, such as always sitting in the same pew or greeting the same people after worship, might seem normal and innocuous. But they can be unwelcoming and off-putting to newcomers. The good news is, simple steps to disrupt these habits can make a big difference to visitors and these changes can begin with you!

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Episode 17
Laughing teacher and students sitting at a table

Thinking of launching a church-school partnership? Or looking to strengthen an existing partnership? In this episode Jake McGlothin, author of The Mission-Minded Guide to Church and School Partnerships, speaks with Lewis Center Associate Director Ann A. Michel about how churches can build effective, transformative relationships with children and teachers in their community.

Smiling kids writing in a notebook
 
Ann Michel of the Lewis Center Staff outlines four ways a church can lay a solid foundation for a church-school partnership before jumping in headfirst. Listening, learning, establishing trust, and building solid relationships are key first steps.

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

These questions can help a congregation align its vision to its mission field, according to Kay Kotan and Blake Bradford.

Who are we as a congregation now?
Who is our neighbor?
What is the gap between our congregation and our mission field?
What must we do, give up, and/or change to reach our neighbors for Christ?

Engaging Local Schools Video Tool Kit
 
If your congregation is considering a school-focused initiative, start planning with the Engaging Local Schools Tool Kit . Through videos, presentations, and supplemental materials, this resource guides your congregation in considering questions that are critical to the success of a school-focused service initiative.

50 Ways to Increase Your Church_s Leadership Capacity
50 Ways to Multiply Your Church's Leadership Capacity

How can you best help new leaders in your church get started? More effectively invite people to be leaders? Make meetings matter? Support and affirm existing leaders? Learn the answers to these questions and more in 50 Ways to Multiply Your Church's Leadership Capacity .

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

Free video_ Why Giving Matters and Clues for Improving It
Free Video: "Why Giving Matters and Clues for Improving It"

Learn to encourage the spiritual gift of giving with this eight-minute video by Lewis Center Senior Consultant Lovett H. Weems, Jr. It provides an overview of the importance of congregational giving and ways you can improve it.

Quotable Leadership

In our well-meaning attempts to be committed people of faith, we must avoid creating the God that picks us -- just us -- over another. Our task is to stay out of God's way. 

Sharon M. K. Kugler
Religion and Science_ Pathways to Truth
 
Is it possible to be a Christian and take science seriously? Must we choose between God and science? The nine lessons in this essential and inspiring course offer a positive alternative: a way to live in today's world as scientifically informed believers. Religion and Science is ideal for your congregation's small groups, adult Bible studies, and Sunday School classes.


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