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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Preaching to an empty church in the early days of the COVID crisis was jarring, to say the least. I knew the cameras were rolling but was anyone really watching? Losing my congregation was disheartening, even though we knew it wasn’t a permanent loss…at least not totally. Certainly, by now, it is clear church attendance […]
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 […]
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. […]
As we wrap up our annual summer clean-out of the parish, please enjoy a classic post: Often, parish leaders have a major weakness when it comes to keeping their church campus and space attractive for guests. It’s the same problem you have with your house: when you spend so much time in a place, you […]
When it comes to staffing at the parish (and probably everywhere else) it is hopefully a work in progress but always a work in transition. Here at Nativity, this summer has brought a few transitions and more than a few additions to our staff. Most of it comes as a blessing to our parish and […]
