Off the Agenda
Search
Off the Agenda

Off the Agenda: Conversations for Building Church Leaders

Entries from Off the Agenda tagged with: vision

January 26, 2010

The Future of Short-Term Missions

Where is the movement right now? Where does it need to go?

Paul Borthwick holds a doctorate in Cross-Cultural Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and teaches missiology at Gordon College near his Boston home. He's the author of How to Be a World-Class Christian and 14 other books. Borthwick has coordinated...

Tags used in this post:

, , ,
Posted by tavery at 2:08 PM on January 26, 2010 | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0)
November 24, 2009

Tell Me a Story

An important task for any leader.

Is any task more important to leadership than storytelling? A recent opinion piece in the local paper reminded me of this point. The writer began his attack on North Carolina's current state government with an apt comparison. He started...

Tags used in this post:

, ,
Posted by tavery at 4:48 PM on November 24, 2009 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0)
October 27, 2009

The Three W's

Ask the right questions: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?

A fellow minister told me recently that a Sunday School class had asked for his help. "I was excited when a group in my congregation wanted to grow!" he said. Unfortunately, he said, they seemed to want him to...

Tags used in this post:

, , ,
Posted by tavery at 4:30 PM on October 27, 2009 | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0)
August 26, 2009

Responding to Suggestions with Discernment

Six criteria for new ideas that cross your ministry desk.

This week's featured download is an orientation guide (all of which are on sale this month) for children's ministry directors. One common challenge in that role is handling parental expectations, which often show up as suggestions—"try this curriculum" or...

Tags used in this post:

, , ,
Posted by tavery at 4:02 PM on August 26, 2009 | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0)
March 23, 2009

Small Churches Need a Brand Revival

One answer to our question about how small churches are perceived.

After the presidential election, I read a lot about the Republican "brand." Nearly every living pundit was talking about how the Republicans needed to repair the damage the election had done to it. The word "brand," of course, is...

Tags used in this post:

, , , , ,
Posted by tavery at 12:15 PM on March 23, 2009 | Comments (9) | Trackbacks (0)
March 18, 2009

Leading a Small Church

John Koessler's take on pastoring smaller congregations.

This week's featured resource, Strengthening Small Churches, includes an interview with John Koessler, who is chair and professor of pastoral studies at Moody Bible Institute. He previously spent nine years pastoring a small church in central Illinois. Below is...

Tags used in this post:

, , , ,
Posted by tavery at 8:50 AM on March 18, 2009 | Comments (8) | Trackbacks (0)
When my daughter was getting ready to enter second grade, she was really anxious. Every time we asked her how she felt about it, she said she was scared and nervous and she didn't want to go to second grade...

Tags used in this post:

, , , , ,
Posted by rwilloughby at 7:00 AM on October 13, 2008 | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0)
July 29, 2008

Insights into Innovation

Five leadership lessons from the last five years.

Leaders are learners. Here are a five leadership lessons I've learned in the last five years. (Now you can learn them in less than five minutes.) The "God thing" comes before the vision. Most leaders make the mistake of thinking...

Tags used in this post:

, , ,
Posted by rwilloughby at 7:00 AM on July 29, 2008 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)
June 18, 2008

Racial Reconsideration

How will your ministry respond to an increasingly diverse church?

We need something we don't yet have. We need a new racial reconciliation conversation rooted in biblical truth that reflects the flexibility of racial identity in our present world. This conversation needs to happen in the body of Christ if...

Tags used in this post:

, ,
Posted by rwilloughby at 7:00 AM on June 18, 2008 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0)
June 6, 2008

Thus Says the Lord?

It’s important to know where your vision comes from.

My second ministry position was a lesson in the danger of being a visionary. The church was a two or three-year-old plant when I joined the staff, and it was full of life. We held services in a coffee...
Posted by rwilloughby at 7:00 AM on June 6, 2008 | Comments (5) | Trackbacks (0)
June 4, 2008

Church Celebrity Deathmatch

Why young people are tired of personality-driven churches

I haven't seen MTV in years, with no regrets, but I recall a show on the network that impacted me like a train wreck. It was awful, gruesome, and terrible - but I couldn't look away. "Celebrity Deathmatch" featured clay-animated...

Tags used in this post:

, , , , , , ,
Posted by rwilloughby at 7:00 AM on June 4, 2008 | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0)
May 5, 2008

Leadership from a Higher Plane

A lesson from Robert E. Lee

My great-grandfather was born during the Civil War, and his parents named him Robert Lee Shelley. Want to guess which side of that conflict they were on? I didn't know this until recently, thanks to my dad's genealogical research, which...

Tags used in this post:

, , ,
Posted by rwilloughby at 7:00 AM on May 5, 2008 | Comments (18) | Trackbacks (0)
April 14, 2008

Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church

Every church can do more to encourage unity across ethnic and economic barriers.

I recently had the opportunity to return to my native Arkansas. I had forgotten that spring arrives in some parts of the country by March. But I was even more surprised to find, in Little Rock of all places, a...

Tags used in this post:

, , , ,
Posted by rwilloughby at 7:00 AM on April 14, 2008 | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0)
March 31, 2008

Exploring "The Call"

How do you identify the voice of God in your life?

Practices vary for church leaders seeking to hear God's call. The most radical method is "the lot," used by many Anabaptists since their early days in Europe. This method of discernment, taken from the example of the eleven disciples in...

Tags used in this post:

, , ,
Posted by rwilloughby at 7:00 AM on March 31, 2008 | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0)
March 13, 2008

Excellence

Many of us say we value it. But do we really?

Leaders operating from a sense of mission care not only about what they do, but how they do it. They pursue excellence, not for its own sake but for the sake of the mission that orders their lives. Pursuing excellence...

Tags used in this post:

, , ,
Posted by rwilloughby at 7:00 AM on March 13, 2008 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)
February 28, 2008

Highlighting Our Differences

Should churches set themselves in contrast to other congregations?

As a show of solidarity with my seven-year-old daughter, I recently reread the classic Little House on the Prairie books and Anne of Green Gables. One phenomenon I noticed this time around (probably because I'm in the habit of thinking...

Tags used in this post:

, , , ,
Posted by rwilloughby at 7:00 AM on February 28, 2008 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)
February 21, 2008

The Best Defense for Conflict is a Good Offense

Church leaders who focus first on building a healthy church stand a better chance of weathering warranted--and unwarranted--battles.

After looking at the diverse dragons that can threaten a church, what are the best defenses? Landscapers know the best way to prevent weeds is not to attack them individually. Uprooting stubborn dandelions or chickweed one by one will improve...
Posted by mbranaugh at 7:00 AM on February 21, 2008 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)
February 18, 2008

Arranging the Passengers on the Church Leadership Bus

(and why it makes me sick).

Several years ago, I had to look in the eyes of someone and tell her she could no longer be part of our team. Her final day would be in two weeks. She looked back, unblinking, almost uncomprehending, and then...

Tags used in this post:

, , , , , , ,
Posted by mbranaugh at 7:00 AM on February 18, 2008 | Comments (5) | Trackbacks (0)
February 14, 2008

To Those Who Lead the Rural Church

An open letter to an increasingly marginalized—and marginalizing—church

Each week this month, BuildingChurchLeaders.com is considering how different expressions of Christianity can more faithfully embody the calling God has placed on them. These letters are patterned off the words of Jesus in Revelation 2?3. While they lack the authority...

Tags used in this post:

, , , , ,
Posted by mbranaugh at 7:00 AM on February 14, 2008 | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0)
February 7, 2008

Reggie McNeal: Ask the Right Questions

Then listen to those around you—and to God himself

Good decision makers make sure they are working on answering the right question. They know that answering the wrong question, even precisely, doesn't accomplish anything; in fact, it keeps leaders and organizations tied up in counterproductive pursuits, with potentially disastrous...

Tags used in this post:

, , ,
Posted by mbranaugh at 7:00 AM on February 7, 2008 | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0)
January 30, 2008

How Websites Communicate Congregational Values

Websites “speak” beyond the words they use

I spent the better part of two years looking at congregational websites as I wrote my doctoral dissertation in the field of communication studies. One of the things I noticed was the strategic use of links by congregations to communicate...

Tags used in this post:

, , , ,
Posted by mbranaugh at 7:00 AM on January 30, 2008 | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0)
January 17, 2008

What We Have Uncommon

It's our differences that make our churches useful in the Kingdom.

Several years ago, my pastor left our church and moved 45 minutes away to plant a congregation. Thankfully, he had a family of six, so that more than doubled the waiting group of five people. My wife and I decided...

Tags used in this post:

, , ,
Posted by mbranaugh at 7:00 AM on January 17, 2008 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)
December 3, 2007

Directionally Impaired Leadership

Church leaders can’t afford not to ask for directions.

It was 2:45 p.m., and my son, Cameron, and I were lost and already 15 minutes late for a birthday party for his 7-year-old friend. True to the male stereotype, I was bent on finding my way without directional assistance....

Tags used in this post:

, , , , , ,
Posted by mbranaugh at 7:00 AM on December 3, 2007 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)
November 19, 2007

Leadership-Style Envy

Accept the way God designed us as leaders, even when those styles don’t get much attention.

I recently took an online assessment evaluating my leadership styles. The results didn't surprise me. But my initial reaction did. I've taken leadership tests and evaluations in the past, so I know how they usually work. They shape a better...

Tags used in this post:

, ,
Posted by mbranaugh at 9:04 AM on November 19, 2007 | Comments (10) | Trackbacks (0)
October 18, 2007

The Looks in Our Eyes

The look of bewilderment and hurt in my friend's eyes caught me off guard as we ate lunch together last April. It was just after Easter, yet that look still remains vivid in my memory five months later. And our...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:00 AM on October 18, 2007 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0)
October 15, 2007

About Off the Agenda

Conversations for Building Church Leaders
Off The Agenda: Conversations for Building Church Leaders is a blog where people in church leadership positions — pastors, staff members, and volunteers, among others — gather for discussion, where they encourage, equip, and prepare each other for the joys and challenges...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0)
"Every church wants to grow, right? Not necessarily. Some leaders and members subconsciously may see growth as threatening and prefer to keep things ?the way they used to be.' This secret resistance among key people will surely inhibit growth." -...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0)
October 15, 2007

Breaking Your Church's Code

What is code? It's a difficult question. We can talk about code as the essence or soul of a church. We can talk about what code does, which is to shape the face of how the church displays itself to...

Tags used in this post:

, , , ,
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007 | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0)
October 15, 2007

Evangelical Drop-Outs

Our friends at Out of Ur recently wrote a post regarding a new survey that finds 70 percent of young adults stop attending church by age 23. The research was conducted by LifeWay Research and directed by Ed Stetzer,...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007 | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0)
October 15, 2007

Dr. Alvin Sanders

Following years of urban ministry in Chicago and Cincinnati, Alvin and his wife, Caroline, founded River of Life Church in downtown Cincinnati in the midst of civil unrest over the shooting death of an African American teenager by a white...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

Leith Anderson

Leith’s many interests involve him in pastoring, teaching, writing, speaking, and leadership. Leith earned a master of divinity from Denver Seminary in Denver, Colorado, a doctor of ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and a doctor of divinity...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

Charles Arn

Charles Arn completed his master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Southern California, majoring in Instructional Design and Technology. He became actively involved in the church growth movement as his father, Dr. Win Arn, began to pioneer the study...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

Ruth Haley Barton

Ruth Haley Barton is co-founder and president of The Transforming Center, a ministry dedicated to caring for the souls of pastors and the congregations they serve. She is a teacher, spiritual director, and retreat leader trained through the Shalem Institute...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

Chris Blumhofer

Chris Blumhofer is assistant editor for BuildingChurchLeaders.com, where he began working in February 2006. In his role, Chris coordinates and edits many of the articles and training downloads that reach Building Church Leaders' customers. Chris attends College Church in Wheaton,...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

Matt Branaugh

Matt Branaugh is director of editorial and special projects for Christianity Today International's Your Church Media Group. Prior to this role, he led Christianity Today's Ministry Team, which includes BuildingChurchLeaders.com and FaithVisuals.com. He is passionate about equipping and energizing church...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

Gary R. Collins

Gary R. Collins is a licensed clinical psychologist with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Purdue University. He is the author of about 200 articles and more than 50 books, including The Biblical Basis of Christian Counseling and Christian Coaching:...

Tags used in this post:

, , , , , , ,
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

Dave Ferguson

Dave Ferguson is the lead pastor of Community Christian Church, a multi-site, missional community in Chicagoland that draws more than 5,000 people every weekend at eight locations. The church recently was recognized as one of the most influential churches in...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia

Stephen A. Macchia became the founding president of Leadership Transformations Inc. (LTi) on July 1, 2003. LTi is a ministry focused on the spiritual formation needs of leaders and the spiritual discernment processes of leadership teams in local church and...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

Gordon MacDonald

Gordon MacDonald is an author, speaker, and teacher. He was a pastor for more than 40 years, most recently the senior minister at Grace Chapel, Lexington, Massachusetts. When he stepped down from that position, the Grace Chapel congregation honored him...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

Reggie McNeal

Reggie enjoys helping people, leaders, and Christian organizations pursue more intentional lives. He currently serves as the Missional Leadership Specialist for Leadership Network of Dallas, Texas. Reggie’s past experience involves more than a decade as a denominational executive and leadership...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

Sue Mallory

Sue Mallory, the author of The Equipping Church and co-author of The Equipping Church Guidebook, has spent more than 20 years in full-time ministry. Sue served as the founding executive director of Leadership Training Network (LTN) for eight years and...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

Kevin Miller

Kevin A. Miller is editor-at-large of Leadership journal and executive vice president at Christianity Today International. Kevin writes for Leadership journal and PreachingToday.com, and he is a featured speaker for Preaching Today Audio. Kevin is also the author of several...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

Marshall Shelley

Marshall Shelley is editorial vice-president of Christianity Today International, and editor in chief of the Leadership Media Group, which includes Leadership journal, PreachingToday.com, BuildingChurchLeaders.com, FaithVisuals.com, SmallGroups.com, and ChristianBibleStudies.com. He served as general editor of The Quest Study Bible, a best-selling...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

Amy Simpson

Amy Simpson is passionate about serving the church and its people through leadership, communication, and resources. She currently serves as executive director for the Leadership Media Group at Christianity Today International....

Tags used in this post:

, , , , ,
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007

John Sommerville

John is the pastor of City Church in Minneapolis, Minn. Prior to leading the founding of City Church in 2005, he was executive director of Wooddale Center, a ministry to churches and church leaders at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie,...
Posted by mbranaugh at 8:01 AM on October 15, 2007

Feed Subscription

Other Tags

Other tags used on this blog: