After serving on church boards for fifteen years, I've learned a few things:

• Flat roofs always leek—but never over the baptistery.
• Don't plan a "Seal the Parking Lot" workday on Saturday—unless you want a "Clean the Carpet" day on Monday.
• The furnace breaks down only on weekends.
• Agendas that look the shortest take the longest time.
• Committees choose beige.

But the greatest of these is:

• Church boards don't like surprises!

Topics:	Board, Commitment, Committees, Goals, Meetings, Objectives, Planning, Vision
Filters:	Church board, Church staff, Deacon, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Acts 17
Date Added:	July 12, 2007

Purpose: To simulate an overseas missions experience; to cause people to wrestle with the obstacles to cross-cultural communication.

Preparation: This activity is best conducted in two adjoining rooms, so that a group in one room cannot hear or see the other group. This activity is best performed with 10 or more people.

Materials: 15-20 small pieces of paper with a star drawn on each; these are called ...

Topics:	Cross-cultural outreach, Evangelism, International outreach, Missions, Outreach, Seekers, Short-term missions, Unchurched, Visitors & guests
Filters:	Church board, Church staff, Elder, Evangelism, Missions, Outreach, Pastor
Purpose:	Evangelism
References:	Acts 17:16-34, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

Discuss

1. According to Acts 17:16–34, what were some ways Paul used to understand the world of Athenians? What did he learn?

2. How did that knowledge affect the way he addressed Athenians? How did that approach vary for different types of listeners?

3. How can our church better speak to people in today's world?

Topics:	Culture, Evangelism, Outreach, Relevance, Seekers, Spiritual friendship, Unchurched, Visitors & guests
Filters:	Church staff, Elder, Evangelism, Hospitality, Outreach, Pastor, Youth pastor
Purpose:	Evangelism
References:	Acts 17:16-34
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

To be change agents in a world of change, a church may have to make adjustments. In this interview, Leith Anderson, author of Dying for Change (Bethany House, 1990) and pastor for the past 24 years of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, speaks of the pain and payoff of change.

Your congregation has been through many changes. Which were most difficult?

Leith Anderson: The first was moving from ...

Topics:	Change, Direction, Expansion, Growth, Leadership, Planning, Resistance, Transitions
Filters:	Church board, Deacon, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Acts 17
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

Born in India, Ravi Zacharias came to Christ during a crisis and now serves as an evangelist and apologist for Christianity on university campuses nationwide. Here he discusses how church leaders can reach "appy, thinking pagans."

Are "happy pagans" as happy as they seem?

Ravi Zacharias: The happy pagan is wrapped up in the belief that this world and the success it affords are the greatest pursuits ...

Topics:	Community impact, Culture, Evangelism, Outreach, Planning, Seekers, Service, Spiritual friendship, Strategy, Unchurched
Filters:	Church staff, Discipleship, Elder, Evangelism, Outreach, Pastor, Shepherd, Worship
Purpose:	Evangelism
References:	Luke 17:30, Acts 17:22-33
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

Click an image or title below to order any of these recommended resources.

Leadership Journal
Vision and Direction
The leading publication for church leaders devoted this issue to setting a church's course for the future.
Read it online at:
http://christianitytoday.com/le/2000/003/

Into the Futureby Elmer Towns & Warren Bird An essential on trends by two experts in church research, this book seeks ...

Topics:	Change, Direction, Expansion, Growth, Leadership, Planning, Resistance, Transitions
Filters:	Church board, Deacon, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Matthew 9:16-17, Acts 16:1-17:34, 1 Corinthians 10:23-32
Date Added:	August 27, 2007

Click an image or title below to order any of these recommended resources.

The Race to Reach Out: Connecting Newcomers to Christ in a New Centuryby Michael J. Coyer and Douglas T. Anderson Both motivation and process are important pieces of connecting new people to the church. This book explores both the proper motivation and effective processes for making new people into members and disciples. (Abingdon, ...

Topics:	Community impact, Culture, Evangelism, Outreach, Planning, Seekers, Service, Spiritual friendship, Strategy, Unchurched
Filters:	Church staff, Discipleship, Elder, Evangelism, Outreach, Pastor, Shepherd, Worship
Purpose:	Evangelism
References:	Mark 2:16-17, Luke 17:13, Acts 17:22-23
Date Added:	August 27, 2007