Our understanding and practice of evangelism are too often captive to stereotypes and false perceptions. Lewis Center Director F. Douglas Powe Jr. says we can redeem evangelism by moving beyond evangelism as marketing or manipulation to reclaim a Jesus-inspired vision of evangelism: witnessing to God’s transforming love in authentic ways.

Tags: Evangelism | Hybrid Ministry | Jesus as Leader | Online Ministry | Reach New Disciples

How can church leaders embrace rather that fear the future? Olu Brown shares how leaders can “normalize next” and begin living their future now by engaging innovative thinking, creative partnerships, and hybrid strategies to fulfill their mission.

Listen now, read transcript, or watch on YouTube.

Tags: Change | COVID-19 | Evangelism | Hybrid Ministry | Online Ministry | Vision | Volunteers | Worship

Successful online ministry requires a new mindset and different metrics. Carey Nieuwhof outlines five signs indicating that your online ministry is connecting with people and helping them grow in faith, rather than just advertising what happens in your building.

Tags: Communication | Evangelism | Faith Formation | Hybrid Ministry | Online Ministry | Reach New Disciples

Often the questions used to solicit feedback regarding worship services or other ministries are too general to provide useful information. Using a “one thing” question can usually address that problem. For example, this question was added to a survey used with first time guests:

What’s one thing that would have made the service better for you?

Want more Right Questions? Read Right Questions for Church Leaders.

Join the Lewis Center’s Dr. Ann A. Michel and Dr. Lovett H. Weems Jr. for their online summer courses from Wesley Theological Seminary. Each course is 1 academic credit hour or 1.5 CEU credits.

CM-142-OL Healthy Stewardship in the Local Church (June 6–10) with Dr. Michel. In this course you will explore the biblical and theological basis for healthy congregational stewardship and a survey of best practices for cultivating generosity.

CM-137-OL Church Finances (July 11–15) with Dr. Weems. In this course you will explore building and funding congregational budgets, accurate tracking of giving, increasing methods of giving and streams of income, and proper financial administration of funds, examining all from both a theological perspective and from best practices of financial transparency and accountability.

Even before the pandemic, reaching new people has long been a struggle for many congregations. Learn how to forge meaningful connections both in-person and online as Dr. F. Douglas Powe Jr. and Dr. Jessica Anschutz share ways to maximize your congregation’s potential for engaging hybrid evangelism.

This 10-session study addresses questions of the reasonableness of the Christian faith in the modern world. Simply Christian is an excellent course for both established believers and seekers and is ideal for your congregation's online or in-person small groups, adult Bible studies, and Sunday School classes.

“Even the most well-crafted efforts at inclusion can rarely prevent the experience of loss by some. As a result, one often cannot shield oneself from the outrage of those parties who must face loss and are unwilling to change.”

Ronald Heifetz

If you’re a pastor preparing to begin ministry in a new setting, The Right Start Video Tool Kit leads you in ending your current ministry well, developing a personal transition plan, and making the most of your first days, weeks, and months in your new congregation. Includes the free COVID-19 Supplement. Available in Pastor’s and Group Training Versions.