Lessons from a Church “Secret Shopper”
Recently we had the hallway in our home painted by some professional painters. We were constantly reminded of this each time we left and returned to our house. You see, once we spent enough time […]
View ArticleRethinking the Church Space
I was sitting in a meeting the other day, discussing the way the church uses its space, when someone boldly said: “We’ve built spaces for us and then gone out and tried to bring the lost […]
View ArticleHow to Look Like a Borrower
One of the most significant events in the life of your church is preparing for a building project. A new building can mean an opportunity to start new ministries and grow those that exist. It means...
View ArticleRenting Versus Buying Your Church’s Facility
God called you to plant a new church, and you’ve followed His calling. For the last year (or two years or five years), you’ve been renting adequate facilities to meet your congregation’s needs. You...
View ArticleWhen to Build or Not: Construction Can Make or Break a Ministry
You have a good problem—your church attendance is growing and you’re busting at the seams. Having found a great location in the heart of your community, your church has purchased some nice land....
View ArticleWhen to Finance or Not: Are You Ready For Debt?
The attendance is climbing and the membership is growing. Each Sunday you notice there are fewer empty seats. With three services already in place, you wonder how many more people you can accommodate...
View ArticleStonebriar Community Church: The XP and Church Growth, Part I
In January 2004, Dr. Charles Swindoll, Senior Pastor of Stonebriar Community Church, announced his decision to David Chavanne, the church’s Senior Executive Pastor. The internationally known radio...
View ArticleStonebriar Community Church: Adding a Third Service, Part II
In the Stonebriar Community Church Case Study, the decision of Dr. Charles Swindoll to add a third service at 8:00 on Sunday morning was introduced. Chuck, as he likes to be called, had informed his...
View ArticleSuccession Plan: A 20-Year Transition
In the year 1990, when Nicholas Smith was 8 years old, Bethany Baptist Church of Lindenwold, New Jersey had 29 active members. In the year 2003, Bethany Baptist had 16,500 members, Nicholas was 23...
View ArticleExit of a Founding Pastor
One of the greatest challenges in the business world is the exit of the founder of a corporation. Consider the words of Professor Noam Wasserman of the Harvard Business School: “My research focuses on...
View ArticleThe Facility Challenge in Church Planting
In May 2006, the rented building that our 2-year-old church plant was using was no longer available to us. We were given two weeks to vacate and secure a new location, suitable for 200 people […]
View ArticleSuccession Thoughts
Jeff Jones succeeded Gene Getz—the founder of the Bible Fellowship Church movement—as the Senior Pastor of the Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas. Their transition was a smooth, well-planned process....
View ArticleFive Commandments of Pastoral Succession Planning
The truth is that we are all interim pastors. There will come a day when you are no longer the pastor of your church. The key to a successful pastoral succession plan is to start […]
View ArticleStrategic Alignment Unleashes the Church
While circulating in our church atrium, greeting people as they strolled in for Sunday worship, a woman came up to me and timidly asked, “Do you remember me?” I had to apologize for not recognizing...
View Article5 Characteristics of Church Staff Teams that Break the 1,000 Barrier
Rich Birch will be a featured speaker at the 2018 XP-Seminar. Enjoy this great article from him ... and join us at the Seminar. Rich has plenty of experience in ministry, business and coaching pastors....
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10 Questions Church Leaders Should Ask—But Probably Aren’t
Questions have a curious function in the life of a leader. A good question can often propel us forward more than a great answer. Our roles in leading our churches requires us to not only work in our...
View ArticleMillennial Wants Impact
Friday, October 12, 2018 Hey Fletch … I’m a young millennial and working in a great job. The money is good, the business is fine and I’m learning a lot. Yet, I’m wondering how my life can have impact...
View ArticleOnline Forum on XPastor
Friday, October 19, 2018 Hey Fletch … You and I met through some XP forums a while back when I was the XP at my former church. I've recently moved on to a new church and in the process lost the...
View ArticleDo Not Harden Your Hearts in Rebellion
Friday, October 26, 2018 Hey Fletch … I need your help with Hebrews 3:12-15. I think God, through the writer of Hebrews, is warning against unbelief and hardness of heart. Is there a better way to put...
View ArticleInterim Pastors
Saturday, October 27, 2018 Hey Fletch … I am an intentional interim pastor working with Interim Pastor Ministries. In the past 7 years, I have served 4 different churches, 3 of which had their pastor...
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