Church

Is There a Place for Creative Christians?

When people describe the Church, "creative" probably isn't the first word that comes to mind. This sad truth isn't the result of a lack of creative Christians, but rather, Christians who don't know what to do with their creativity.

Question of the Week

Each week, Neue asks a question that is meant to challenge, inspire and encourage today's ministry leaders. Feel free to respond and discuss in the comment section. This week, we want to know: How does your church support the arts, both directly within your ministry and beyond?

What's the Point of Church Membership?

When I hear the word “membership” I automatically think of sales reps in swanky gyms wearing track suits trying to sell me a gym membership that is more than I can afford and something I will inevitably cease to use. It smacks of insincerity. We all have different associations with the word and the challenge for most of us who are postmodern or “post-postmodern” in our upbringing is caution, if not skepticism, of all labels and camps. Hence when we attach membership to our notion of church it brings up all sorts of red flags. Various academics speculate that it is for this very reason that church membership is declining.

Question of the Week

Each week, Neue asks a question that is meant to challenge, inspire and encourage today's ministry leaders. Feel free to respond and discuss in the comment section. This week, we want to know: What emphasis does your church place on becoming a member? What does that process look like?

A Place for Christian Refugees

For the past several years, I have taught a class at our church called "For Skeptics Only." Usually populated with spouses and friends of church attenders, they all had one thing in common: disbelief about the Christian faith. Since it was a class for non-Christians we told everyone up front that if they were Christians we would kick them out. And boy was it easy to spot them, with their ironically serious questions about the rapture and whether or not we would still be here for the tribulation. You might imagine how difficult it would be to talk about whether or not the Bible was true with a room full of skeptics when you have a Christian in the room.

Question of the Week

Each week, Neue asks a question that is meant to challenge, inspire and encourage today's ministry leaders. Feel free to respond and discuss in the comment section. This week, we want to know: How does your church make room for doubters and skeptics?

Question of the Week

Each week, Neue asks a question that is meant to challenge, inspire and encourage today's ministry leaders. Feel free to respond and discuss in the comment section. This week, we want to know: What do you think of the concept of "celebrity pastors"?

Question of the Week

Each week, Neue asks a question that is meant to challenge, inspire and encourage today's ministry leaders. Feel free to respond and discuss in the comment section. This week, we want to know: Do you schedule time for you and your team to be creative?

Toughest Decisions of Leaders, Part 6

We asked six influential ministry leaders to tell us their stories of the toughest leadership decision they’d ever made—and how they went about making the decision. We've already heard from Craig Groeschel,  Nancy Ortberg, Glenn Packiam, Richard Stearns and Dr. Joel C. Hunter. This week we conclude this series with Dr. Kara E. Powell, the executive...

Question of the Week

Each week, Neue asks a question that is meant to challenge, inspire and encourage today's ministry leaders. Feel free to respond and discuss in the comment section. This week, we want to know: Is your church built around the charisma and vision of one person? How can you cultivate a shared vision?

Toughest Decisions of Leaders, Part 5

We asked six influential ministry leaders to tell us their stories of the toughest leadership decision they’d ever made—and how they went about making the decision. We've already heard from Craig Groeschel,  Nancy Ortberg, Glenn Packiam and Richard Stearns. Now, Dr. Joel C. Hunter tells us how he decided to pray at the Democratic National Convention. 

Question of the Week

Each week, Neue asks a question that is meant to challenge, inspire and encourage today's ministry leaders. Feel free to respond and discuss in the comment section. This week, we want to know: Do you have preconceived notions of what worship music should do and sound like?

Question of the Week

Each week, Neue asks a question that is meant to challenge, inspire and encourage today's ministry leaders. Feel free to respond and discuss in the comment section. This week, we want to know: During times of trouble, does your ministry team pacify or dramatize the information? How can you better communicate it?

Question of the Week

Each week, Neue asks a question that is meant to challenge, inspire and encourage today's ministry leaders. Feel free to respond and discuss in the comment section. This week, we want to know: What can you and your team do to pursue your ideals in the reality of day-to-day ministry?

The Ministry of Advent

Christmas can be a stressful time of year, and Christians are not immune to the pressures and demands of this season. Many Christians find it difficult to significantly engage with Christmas on a spiritual level. Have you ever heard a Christian say “it just doesn’t feel like Christmas?”

Question of the Week

Each week, Neue asks a question that is meant to challenge, inspire and encourage today's ministry leaders. Feel free to respond and discuss in the comment section. This week, we want to know: How does your church mark the season of Advent during Christmas? What changes do you make in your worship, sermon or structure?

Toughest Decisions of Leaders—Part 2

We asked six influential ministry leaders to tell us their stories of the toughest leadership decision they’d ever made—and how they went about making the decision. Last week, Craig Groeschel shared his decision to give it all away. Now, Nancy Ortberg tells us about when she had to take two steps backward ...

Question of the Week

Each week, Neue asks a question that is meant to challenge, inspire and encourage today's ministry leaders. Feel free to respond and discuss in the comment section. This week, we want to know: Is there any slow but important work you're avoiding because of the time commitment or the momentum loss?

Toughest Decisions of Leaders—Part 1

We asked six influential ministry leaders to tell us their stories of the toughest leadership decision they’d ever made—and how they went about making the decision. We were expecting stories of disagreements with elders, agonized debates of whether to build or not to build, or the emotional stress of firing a close friend. So we were surprised when the stories started to come in and they were so ... personal. Turns out the toughest leadership decisions are often also the toughest private decisions—that God challenges leaders in some of the same areas at work and at home.

Question of the Week

Each week, Neue asks a question that is meant to challenge, inspire and encourage today's ministry leaders. Feel free to respond and discuss in the comment section. This week, we want to know: Would you say that your church has a culture of giving? What can you do to increase your church's standard of giving?