Uncategorized

You Probably Have Too Many Masses (we did)

I was speaking to a bishop recently who was telling me about an experience he had at an area parish. He received a call on a Saturday afternoon from the pastor requesting weekend Mass coverage as he was being called away on an urgent family matter. Not having other obligations that weekend the bishop agreed […]

Continue Reading...

Leadership | Stewardship

Trading Spaces

It has long been my contention that one of the easiest “wins” a parish can achieve comes in cleaning up public spaces, such as lobbies, nurseries, and the sanctuary. Clutter and dirt are the secret enemies of the church (link), diminishing the experience of your facility for parishioners and discouraging newcomers from engagement. There are […]

Continue Reading...

Leadership

Simplify Your Schedule

When I arrived at my parish, the expectation was that the pastor does everything, from unlocking the front doors on Sunday mornings to changing the toilet paper in the men’s room (I’m not sure who took care of the ladies’ room). Furthermore, my presence was absolutely expected and, in fact, demanded absolutely everything that happened […]

Continue Reading...

Evangelization

What If My Pastor is the Problem?

I just wrapped up several days at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress spent talking to parish leaders from across the country. On the final day, at the final session, I offered a presentation gleaned from our recent book Seriously, God? Making Sense of Life Not Making Sense. Specifically, my presentation focused on how to make […]

Continue Reading...

Communication | Evangelization

Your Church’s New Front Door

It wasn’t so very long ago that your church’s front door was … your front door. It was how newcomers and visitors (and everyone else) came to you. The values held by growing churches were accessibility and hospitality, making sure those joining you could easily get in and feel welcome. About a dozen years ago […]

Continue Reading...

Vision

The Church in 2023

After three difficult years unlike any other in churchworld (and the world at large) we are all left wondering what the year ahead will bring. And as a pastor, my number one question is definitely what will the Church look like in 2023. I am no prophet or seer, I’m not always even clear on […]

Continue Reading...

Evangelization

Advent as a Season of Hope

I received a surprise phone call from my friend Rick Warren (yes, the Pastor Rick Warren) over the Thanksgiving holiday. Once I got over my shock that Pastor Rick would take time to speak to me, we got talking about declining and stagnating church attendance following the COVID season. He said to me, “Mike, (he’s the only person who […]

Continue Reading...

Making Church Matter

Rediscovering Our Mission Post Covid

It’s hard to imagine a bigger disruption to church life in the last hundred years than our experience with the Covid-19 crisis. Gathering together for worship and the Sacraments, at the very heart of our mission, was halted and, when we did come back, it looked very different. Parish leaders were left to navigate this […]

Continue Reading...

What's new at Nativity

“Kick Off” Weekend 2022

When it comes to parish ministry, there is a high degree of burnout among people in ministry and we know that more and more parishioners are opting out as well. There are many contributing factors but one of them is the seemingly monotonous routine of it all. Sunday is always coming, and that never changes. […]

Continue Reading...