Winter 2010
Revitalizing Your Church: From Lifelessness to Spiritual and Numerical Vitality
Many churches are trapped and mired in plateau and decline. They end up this w ay because they get comfortable where they are. Doing things half way or casually becomes the norm. Church services are business as usual. No thought is given to welcoming quests, toning down churchy language, breaking up fellowship huddles to engage visitors, following up newcomers, or intentionally ministering to those outside the church. If a church wants to grow beyond where it is, it needs to think and act like it is bigger than it is right now.
The transformational journey begins by reading practical and insightful articles by David T. Olson, Paul Borden, George W. Bullard, Jr., Steve Chandler, Kent J. Ingle, Aubrey Malphurs, Mel Ming, Reggie McNeal, Ed Stetzer, George O. Wood, and many others.
Theme Articles
Turning the Church Crisis Into a Spiritual Revolution: Is the American Church Really in Crisis?
David T. Olson
While there are many signs of the church’s evident success, in reality the American church is losing ground as the population continues to surge.
INTERVIEW: Engaging the Church in God’s Redemptive Mission
REGGIE MCNEAL
Has the church bought into the lie that if we look successful, if our churches are fabulous, if we look like we are not dead, people will show up? The author of The Present Future and Missional Renaissance brings fresh insight to what it means for the church to engage in God’s Redemptive Mission.
Helping Churches Rediscover Their Mission
J. Melvyn Ming
Do your church’s neighbors filter out your message — and perhaps your existence — because of your presumed irrelevance to their lives? Leaders who recognize this trend want to change their churches, but often fail to recognize that change starts first in them.
Comeback Imagination—Envisioning New Life
Ed Stetzer
If you are going to imagine a new reality for your church, it must combine a clear understanding and communication of the current reality and envision and tell an alternative story.
Strategic Planning for Leadership in the 21st Century
Aubrey Malphurs
With the fast pace of the 21st-century world, ministry organizations must think and act strategically about their ministry for the Savior or face decline, if not extinction.
An Effective Strategy for Congregational Transformation
Paul Borden
Most denominations and associations of congregations are losing both dollars and influence because many congregations are declining. The overall picture is not bright. But there is hope.
Incarnational Churches: From Stagnancy to Spiritual and Numerical Vitality
Steve Chandler
Why is it that we who identify ourselves with the Holy Spirit’s enabling power are losing ground in our own backyard? Here are eight commonalities that transitioned churches from sustained periods of stagnancy to spiritual and numerical vitality.
Courageous and Authentic Leadership for Challenging Times
KENT J. INGLE
What is at the core of a transformational leader? What do we expect from a leader whom we identify as transformational? Here are insights into what it takes to be a courageous leader.
Turning the Tide — Becoming a Disciplemaking Church
interview with Joe Lyons, Dale Oquist, and Jimmy White
Three pastors discuss the issues and challenges in revitalizing their churches and offer hope for pastors who desire to turn around their church.
Reflections on Pursuing the Full Kingdom Potential of Your Congregation
George W. Bullard, Jr.
Is your congregation seeking to be a missional church? If so, is the pattern of its efforts push, pull, or leap?
Transforming a Church — the Acts 2 Way
L. Alton Garrison
The Acts 2 process of church life is the implementation of the functions of the Acts 2 church. There are five steps in the process: worship, connect, grow, serve, and go.
Church Transformation Network
Ron McManus and Rick Allen
The Church Transformation Network is leading the effort to equip small-membership congregations to discover and pursue God’s vision for health and vitality.
IN CLOSING:
Doug Clay
From the General Superintendent
Eight Principles To Revitalizing Your Church
George O. Wood
What are the key ingredients in a turn-around church? What are the human factors God uses in revitalizing a church? Consider these eight principles.
Column Articles
THEOLOGICAL ENRICHMENT
Baptism in the Holy Spirit: The Life and Ministry of Jesus
Edgar R. Lee
Jesus, the Anointed One: Our Example for Supernatural Ministry
Tim Enloe
MINISTRY AND MEDICAL ETHICS
The Bioethics Behind Health Care Reform
Christina M.H. Powell
Q&A For ministry Wives
I'm Worried: My Husband Hasn't Been Himself
Gabriele RIENAS
ORIGINAL WISDOM
Robert Clarence Lawson (1883–1961): “Jesus-Centered Anti-Racism”
DOUGLAS JACOBSEN
CLERGY, CHURCH & LAW
Should Your Church Consider a 401(k) Plan?
RICHARD R. HAMMAR
iUniversity: Empowering Collegians for Christ
Posers, Pretenders, and the Real Deal
Harvey A. Herman
EVERYTHING BUT PREACHING
How Do I Build a Budget for My Church?
DICK HARDY
From the Light Side - SOURDOUGH, AK
Romancing the Throne, Chapter 4
JACK AIKEN AND TORRY “MOOSE” MARTIN
Managing the Mayhem of Ministry
It Just Is Not Working
Cal LeMon
departments (Print edition only)
- Sermon Seeds
- Book Reviews
- News & Resources
- Marketplace
- With Christ
- Advertising Index
