Links of the Week (10/1/16)

Each Saturday we point you to the best preaching, leadership, and ministry content we have encountered on the internet during the week.

Links of the Week

Want some free preaching and productivity resources? How does a sermon evaluation worksheet, a weekly productivity template for Evernote, a sermon series planning template for Evernote, and 56 weeks of preaching topics sound to you? Grab them by going here (and never miss fresh content from RookiePreacher.com).

What Growing Churches Do Differently – by Paul Alexander

It’s not faith, it’s not luck, and it’s not some leadership secret. Growing churches are actually doing something differently than the other 80% of churches in America that are stuck or declining.

How to Get Non-Believers Into Your Church – by Phil Cooke

Lifeway Research recently polled thousands of nonbelievers about what it would take to get them inside a church. When I thought about it, the results made perfect sense, but most church leaders never consider these possibilities. Focused on Americans who do not attend church, here’s what they said would draw them into one:

CNLP 107: Ben Snyder on The Surprise and Challenge of Becoming a Megachurch Pastor at Age 35

A year ago, Ben Snyder got a surprise phone call from his boss, a well-known and loved megachurch pastor, who had just been diagnosed with a disease. Ben was asked to become the new lead pastor of a massive church. Surprisingly, it’s gone well for everyone. Listening to Ben will help you understand why.

5 Things Pastors Need To Know About Breaking Growth Barriers – by Brian Dodd

Jeff Maness is the Founding and Lead Pastor of Element Church in Cheyenne, WY. The church, now nine years old, runs 1,500 in weekend attendance. Jeff is an expert in growing a relevant church. Recently, he shared a five items all pastors should know about breaking growth barriers.

Be sure to check out the online conference hosted by INJOY that is being promoted in Brian’s post, too!

Seven Areas Where Pastors Have Failed at Reading Minds – by Thom Rainer

Hilarious and sad at the same time.

Maybe You Need To Declare a Name Amnesty Sunday – by Tim Challies

It’s probably a silly idea. It’s probably the kind of thing we came up with late on a Friday afternoon and laughed about before realizing, “Actually, maybe there’s something to this.” Somehow it became a bit of a tradition for Grace Fellowship Church and, even better, one we rather enjoy. We call it “Name Amnesty Sunday” and we hold one every few months. Let me tell you how it works and how it might benefit your church.

5 Words of Wisdom and Caution for a Growing Church – by Brandon Cox

Five years ago, Grace Hills Church was made up of about 35 of us. Last year, our final year meeting in a movie theater, we had an average worship attendance of about 240. And since moving into our current location in January of this year, that average has been 385 with over 400 in five out of the last seven weeks. In November, we’re adding a third morning worship service to accommodate the growth.

December Giving Starts In September: Is Your Church Ready? – by Kent Woodyard

As Summer turns to Fall, kids return to school, and football once again takes over my TV, I know it’s time to dust off one of my favorite catch phrases, “December giving starts in September.”