Category: Church life

Regathering and Replanting

I want to think a little bit more about what is involved for churches coming out of lockdown.  I did one of my mini-surveys via twitter recently and here are the results. As always, I’m not claiming that my survey gives  infallible, fully representative, scientific, Gallup standard analysis. However, it is a good dip check… Continue reading Regathering and Replanting

COVID update 12/11/2021

After 18 consecutive days of falling case numbers, we’ve now had two days of increases in reported cases. It’s worth remembering that people who have been following the numbers were projecting further case growth after the return from Half Term. I stated here a few weeks ago that I wouldn’t be surprised to see some… Continue reading COVID update 12/11/2021

Money, power and worship

I thought I’d follow up a little further on the question of VIP worship experiences. There’s been some helpful further conversation on the topic including this article from Steve Kneale. Steve comments: “Some have objected to the existence of a tour at all. How can we be using Christian music – especially of the kind… Continue reading Money, power and worship

When we are charging for VIP access to leaders then something has gone badly wrong

Over the past few weeks there’s been some promotion for concerts where you can go and see Christian worship leaders performing. We’ll come back to the question about performances and concerts shortly but what has particularly caught the eye has been the offer of priority and VIP tickets. First of all, VIP tickets were offered… Continue reading When we are charging for VIP access to leaders then something has gone badly wrong

COVID-19 update for church risk management 05-11-2021

Here’s the latest COVID-19 data to assist with decision making and risk assessment. We are now coming up to the end of the first week back from the main half-term break. I have said previously that it is possible that we might see some uptick in cases as school LFT mass testing resumes. So far… Continue reading COVID-19 update for church risk management 05-11-2021

Our decisions about who serves where tell people what we value

This is a further follow up on my article about serving, believing and belonging.  The decisions we make here tell us something about how we regard ministry and gifts.  Thinking back, I’m more likely to have been pressurised to include someone who isn’t a member or not yet a Christian to either help with children’s… Continue reading Our decisions about who serves where tell people what we value

Using social media as a shop window into your church

Churches put a lot of effort into the appearance of their buildings, particularly taking time to create inviting entrance foyers that enable people to see in and feel able to come in. We know the effect of a church building with closed, heavy, austere doors.  We know the impact of walking into a building which… Continue reading Using social media as a shop window into your church

The problem with asking people to serve before they belong

How you come in will be how you go on I’m sure you’ve heard this or something similar said about evangelism. If we rely on big events and entertainment to attract people to the Gospel, then we shouldn’t be surprised if that’s what it takes to hold them going forward. Your church will find that… Continue reading The problem with asking people to serve before they belong

Why are people attending church less frequently?

One of the trends that quite a few people have noticed in recent years has been the change in definition of what it means to attend church regularly. To those of us in church leadership, who have been Christians for some time, regular attendance tends to mean “at least once a week.” However, the reality… Continue reading Why are people attending church less frequently?