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As the New Year approaches, many pastors and church leaders are considering the upcoming sermon series for their congregations. One of the most powerful sermons that can be preached is on generosity. Generosity is a spiritual discipline that plays a significant role in our individual and collective growth. Teaching a sermon series on it during the New Year can help foster a spirit of generosity within your church. (Download the first 3 chapters FREE of my book "Lord Of The Fries," a book on living and teaching about generosity.) The Spiritual Wisdom of Generosity Generosity is essential in anyone's spiritual growth as a servant of God. But, unfortunately, we make the mistake of thinking that all God cares about, or all the church cares about, is money. The truth is all that God cares about is our hearts. And money is one of the biggest competitors to God for our hearts. That's why Jesus spoke so much about money; that is why we, as pastors and church leaders, should do the same. But, as we do so, we must speak circumspectly to ensure that we are always focused on the heart and relationship with God and not on raising money. Generosity not only helps individuals to develop spiritually, but it also helps to create an environment of trust and acceptance among members of the congregation. Research has shown that churches with more generous members are more likely to have higher attendance levels and greater financial stability, making them better equipped to reach out to their local communities. In addition, studies have found that people with high levels of generosity tend to live longer, healthier lives due to the stress-relieving effects kindness and giving have on our physical health. Teaching Generosity Through Scripture and Life Stories One way pastors can teach generosity during the New Year is through stories from Scripture. For example, Jesus said in Matthew 5:42: "Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow." This verse shows how important it is for Christians to practice generosity even when they don't get anything in return. It also serves as an example of how we should be generous with our resources—no matter how small or insignificant—to bless others in need. Another effective way of teaching generosity is by looking at stories from your own life. I'm sure most of you can relate to one of my favorites from my life: buying my kid's french fries and taking a few for myself. After all, as their dad, I'm the one who purchased them. I could buy my own, but I want them to have the heart to share with me as their father, who gave them their fries, to begin with. And they should know that I don't need their fries; if I wanted to, I could buy so many fries that I could bury them in fries. I wrote about this in a teaching on generosity in my book called Lord of the Fries (Download your copy of the first 3 chapters FREE). Empower Your Congregation When we teach on generosity, we are living out a part of the great commission of "teach these disciples to obey all the commands I have given you." (Matthew 28:20). Jesus taught us that we are to be like the Father and to give. "For God loved the world so much that He gave..." (John 3:16) and Jesus tell us that we are to "Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back." (Luke 6:30, NLT) You can not disciple someone or a church without discussing generosity in a healthy biblical fashion as Jesus did. Yet, many of us as Pastors don't like talking about it. Teaching generosity during the New Year can serve as an opportunity for you as a Pastor to invite your members into deeper conversations about money management and financial responsibility. By discussing financial stewardship within a spirit of giving openly, pastors can guide biblical principles related to tithing or offering financially sacrificial gifts for charitable causes outside of the church walls. In addition, doing so helps members understand why being generous is beneficial spiritually and practically, too—allowing them access to new opportunities they may not have had before while simultaneously providing others with much-needed support and resources they would otherwise lack access to. Generosity is an essential part of spiritual growth and a crucial element in the life of any church. It is a way to express our love for God and others and an opportunity to be used by Him to bring about change in the lives of those we serve. As Pastors and church leaders, we are responsible for teaching our congregations how generosity can impact their spiritual journey and encourage them to give generously. This article will explore ways pastors and church leaders can help foster generous spirits within their congregations. We'll discuss the power of giving, how it brings us closer to God, why it should be encouraged in churches, and some practical tips on teaching generosity within your church community. A Tool For Spiritual Growth Generosity is a powerful tool to help us grow closer to God in our spiritual journey. By giving generously, we demonstrate our faith in Him and trust Him to provide for us. Generosity is more than just putting money in an offering - it's about changing lives. Generosity always positively affects spiritual growth. Generosity is an essential part of any church community. As pastors and church leaders, we must equip our congregations with practical tips for personally living a life of generosity within their church community and the greater community. As we do, we are helping those in need while deepening their relationship with Christ simultaneously. It is clear from Jesus' teaching that generosity impacts those who receive it and those who give it - directly impacting one's spiritual journey and the overall health of any church community when appropriately practiced. Therefore, as pastors and church leaders dedicated to the cause of Christ, let us always strive to encourage generous living among members so that we can continue fulfilling God's plan. In Christ, Pastor Jeff P.S. I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful in helping to equip your congregation for generous living through practical tips and spiritual growth. Check out the all-new sermon series "Lord Of The Fries" to help you make an impact regarding generosity in your church. It's on sale to kick off the New Year!

Many church leaders allow their fears of offending or not doing things people like to dictate their lives, resulting in missed opportunities and unfulfilled vision. There’s no denying that fear can be paralyzing. Whether it’s fear of doing something new and different, fear of rocking the boat, fear of the unknown, or fear of reaching people that you’ve never reached before, that little voice in our head can talk us out of anything. But what if you could learn to overcome your fears and finally start growing your church? If you’re ready to break free from your fears as a leader and start growing your church, try these strategies: 1. Identify and confront your fears. First, identify the things that scare you—for example, doing your weekend services differently. It’s easy to get into a pattern and routine, into the concept of “we’ve never done it that way before.” The results often being that we could still be a church the way it was 50 years ago and no longer culturally relevant. Once you know what your fear is, you can address it. For instance, we are making a big change in how we launch our Christmas series this year, we are doing a big Christmas party called Merry Mania to reach all generations and our community. At first, we thought of doing it as an extra event, but we quickly realized we were only doing that because of the fear of not doing a normal Sunday service. After praying and facing the fear, we are doing our services differently that weekend to reach all generations and the community through one big party while still sharing the Christmas message. 2. Face your fear with innovation. One of the ways that we have dealt with fear at our church is through innovation. The more we live in innovation, the more we grow in how many people we reach and in maturity in our faith. Innovation will often help you and your church conquer fear, yet we struggle to be innovative because of the fear of the unknown. We have to be okay with being uncomfortable and stepping out in faith. This could look like starting a new worship service, doing a big event, or anything that would get us outside of our comfort levels as a church. For us, it has been stepping into using the One Voice model of ministry. This innovative way of speaking to all ages with the same biblical content but at age-appropriate levels radically changed our ministry for the good of reaching people for Christ. When we started to innovate this ministry idea, we were told it was a great idea but that there was no way it could be done. And if it could be done, it wasn't sustainable. Now, 3 years into living in this model, we hear stories of lives being transformed for Jesus every week. As a leader, you may not feel like you are an innovator. And many of us are not. So what do you do? You don't have to personally be an innovator to lead your church in innovation. You can hire staff or develop gifted lay leaders in this area. You can also seek resources and training to help you and your team become more innovative. But whatever you do, don't allow the fear of innovation keep you from doing what God has called you to do. 3. Take small steps continually rather than giant leaps. Start by leading your team and church leaders in small goals that are realistic and achievable. For example, when we began ministry with One Voice, we set out to do 4 series in the first year as a trial to see the results. The results were amazing, so we committed to doing several more teaching series in alignment next year. Then by building on the success of those smaller goals, we could shift to living in alignment for every teaching series. And now we can share those with other churches as well. The giant leap of sharing One Voice with others in the church was not our first small step. That would have been overwhelming. Take small steps and keep taking small steps. Don't allow yourself as a leader or your team and church to ever be complacent, stretch your faith continually. Which leads to the next step. 4. Continue setting goals that challenge you and your church. You’ll be one step closer to conquering your fear with each goal you achieve. Once you have achieved one goal, look to the next goal that God has for you and your church. It's good to celebrate, but you need to challenge a fresh vision on the heels of success and celebration. The danger for us as leaders is that we are tempted to coast once we reach a goal, which is very costly because you can only coast downhill. So, it's important for us and our teams to always have goals and a clear vision of the future God has for you. Fear will set in as soon as you allow yourself and your church or team to coast a little. 5. Lead with intention. Once you’ve overcome your fears, it’s essential to live your life and lead with purpose. What God has called you to do is more important than what others think. When you lead with intention, you’ll be confident in your decisions and better equipped to conquer any fear that comes your way. The key to leading with intention is being clear about your calling and living out of that each day. As a leader, you must be clear about God's calling and ensure that your decisions, actions, and words align with that calling. It's not easy, but it's so worth it. Fear can be a debilitating emotion that prevents you from achieving your goals and living your dreams. But it is possible to overcome fear and start living a more fulfilling life. God did not give us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). Take these simple steps and break free of fear!

Although you may find yourself with enough work and family duties as a pastor or church leader, it can be life-changing to occasionally contribute your efforts to something bigger than yourself or your family. Namely, I'm talking about the big church, the capital "C" church. In other words, other congregations besides the one you Pastor. Getting your church and congregation to help other churches will bring new life, vision, and growth. Doing something relevant and helpful for other churches opens your ministry in ways you may have yet to consider. You may think you can barely keep things going and moving forward in your church, let alone help others. Yet, that is precisely the time to lead your church to invest in the life of another church's success and growth. God's universal principle of "sowing and reaping" is at work here. When you are struggling in your ministry, the most important thing you can do is to get into the sowing mode. It would help if you got more seeds in the ground for future harvest. "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." (2 Corinthians 9:6, NIV) Ponder these positive benefits of helping (sowing into) other churches. 1. You strengthen your connections to others in God's work when you seek to help. We all want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, especially in Kingdom work. The yearning to find fellowship and relationships with our brothers and sisters beyond our church walls will help us do just that. Assisting other churches forges strong bonds within your church and the capital "C" church. Your people need to remember and experience that they are a part of something bigger than your weekly gathering. 2. Giving something of yourself as a church increases your feelings of generosity. God is a God of generosity. As pastors and church leaders, we teach this to our congregations. So, let's lead the way through our leadership of generosity from church to church. Of course, you may be struggling with needs in your church and congregation, and the best thing you can do is get generous as a church. It gets the focus off of ourselves and helps people to walk in faith and trust that God is our provider. We know that experiencing the joy of giving to others is one of the most incredible feelings you'll ever have. It's time to share that joy will your entire church and watch God work! Knowing deep inside that you gave your time or effort to others from a heart of generosity that God has given will help you and your church see what an awesome God we serve. 3. It also feels great when others acknowledge your church is generous. There is no greater joy and honor than to know that you are serving as the Pastor of a generous church. There is no self-gain in this, but rather a very humbling position to know that your people are willing to take on the character trait of God the Father and be ready to give and sacrifice. And the reward of seeing the value you add to the Kingdom of God through other churches that need help or need a boost, the thanks necessary to remain motivated to continue. When you hear another Pastor, another church leader, or another member from another congregation say, "Thanks," and shake your hand or hug you, you'll feel the incredible feeling of knowing that you and your church are a part of Jesus' mission to the world. 4. You discover more about your church and your people when you assist another church. You will probably find that your people are with you more than you imagined and will see and experience a new level of leadership support. You may discover that you have a group of people who need to focus more on a greater vision than themselves. You'll find that others are attracted to a church that sees a bigger picture. Perhaps your church will have a sense of new life when you begin to see the struggles and ministries of other churches who are in a different situation than your own. 5. You and your people will grow. You grow most when you help others succeed. This is true spiritually, emotionally, and numerically. Why? Sowing and reaping! It is the basis of making a disciple. You may need to be one step ahead of another to add value to them. Your church is at least one step ahead of another church in your community that could use some help. And what's in it for you? Growth in every way. (One of the fears that many of us as pastors struggle with in doing this is "what if our people decide to go and attend the church you are helping?" They might. Remember though they, we are shepherds of His flock, and He can and will move His sheep whenever and wherever He wants. I have to tell you I have had this happen. Some quality volunteer leaders move on to be a part of the leadership team of a church we serve. They have become a bridge for our church to continue helping other churches. We are viewed as a church that is generous not only with money and things but with our most important assets – people. God's plan to multiply is at work, and the more we have seen this happen, the more we live in God's blessings.) 6. It's a way to show God gratitude for everything you and your church are thankful for. Most pastors and churches have experienced one or two rough spots in our lives and ministries when we needed help or guidance. Think of how much someone's assistance helped you in the past. You have the opportunity to pay it forward by serving others. Consider these ideas to get started helping other churches: Ask your congregation if they know of friends who attend another church in need. Doing this as part of a series or teaching on stewardship or generosity is powerful. (Lord of the Fries series link here) Find a church in the area that may have an older congregation and offer to do a work day at their church to help them. Make a special Christmas or Valentine's dinner to honor other pastors and church leaders you invite. (Your people can do the meal and serve and thank these usually unappreciated leaders for all they do to move the Kingdom forward day in and day out.) Send a volunteer team to help support the ministry of another church. Often there are smaller churches that need worship leaders or someone to fill in for the Pastor to have a weekend off or even to serve in children or youth ministry until they can get folks recruited and trained. This is big picture vision, and your people will be attracted to serving on this level. This happens now in our church, where I often don't know or hear about it until after another Pastor thanks me. It's just becoming more and more of our DNA. Share your sermon content or original small group content etc., with others. Funny to say that it is original; after all, we are just a cover band for Jesus. We are simply teaching His content. (Or at least we should be.) All the work we put into a sermon series could go well beyond your walls with other pastors who may be bi-vocational and not have the sermon prep time you have. Or they may need to be spending more time on leadership and shepherding. (At One Voice, I am always looking for Pastors that want to be a part of creating sermon content as a team with other Pastors that can then be turned into a One Voice series for churches. Contact me a contact@teachonevoice.com if you are interested) Listen and look for the physical or financial needs of other churches. Get the word out to your congregation to do the same. Often the needs of another church can be met by your church and celebrated. When you upgrade any equipment or facilities, look for others who need the equipment you upgraded from. You can help others churches in life-enhancing ways for them and life-enriching for you and your church! You might be surprised by how God will use your congregation to be an answer to prayer for others. And the more you do this, the more you and your church will walk in a new level of faith and trust in God as The leader and Sustainer of your church. Check out your local organizations and decide where and how you'd like to be of service. And yep, we are here to help and serve the church. So if y are struggling to provide curriculum for your Adults, kids, or youth and can't afford it, let me know. At One Voice, we are with you and are here for your success!

What qualities do you think a good Church leader should have? You would probably expect them to be powerful, charismatic, and decisive. However, you might overlook the value of being funny. You may already think this blog is nonspiritual; read on. Jesus had many moments of humor that we quickly overlook while sermonizing. Look at Mark 6:48-49 when Jesus is walking on water: “He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost.” We quickly go past “He intended to go past them”. Right about now, some are getting out their commentaries. See what I mean? We quickly come up with 4 or 5 different deep spiritual meanings. What if Jesus was having a little fun? Take it for what it says, and have a little fun with your congregation when you teach it. Research shows that humor has many benefits. Those benefits include bringing people closer, reducing stress, and increasing productivity. Does anyone want a closer church? A less stressful church? A more productive congregation? The truth is most church people need a little cheering up. While the average four-year-old laughs about 300 times a day, they're down to three chuckles by the time they turn 40. On the other hand, there are limits. You know you’ve gone too far if you make someone cry or choose Michael Scott as your role model. Influential leaders know how to use humor to their advantage. Join their ranks by studying these tips for remaining professional while you tap into your funny side. Jesus was great at this. We often overlook His hyperbole that was relevant in His culture. Look at this moment in Matthew 7: “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” This was one of those moments where I could picture the disciples who were listening rolling on the ground. “Oh Jesus, you are so funny!” Don’t believe me? Illustrate it in one of your messages. I have. I used an 8-foot 2x4’ and held it up to my eye. The congregation couldn’t help but laugh at how absurd it looked and very clearly got Jesus’ point at how ridiculous we look when we do this in our judging of others. And then…in the middle of the laughing, you hit them with the truth. I love to give my most challenging points and teach around moments of the greatest laughter. Look at Jesus’ following words after giving this hyperbolic statement: “Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye” (Matthew 7:5, NLT). If you call someone a hypocrite, it works best by setting it up with a bit of humor! The Benefits of Leading with Humor: Enhance your leadership skills. Laughter can be profitable because it triggers brain chemicals that help you to concentrate and think creatively. A study by the University of Warwick found that introducing comedy into the workday increased productivity by 12%. Want to be more productive in ministry? Or how about helping your staff be more productive? Have fun! Boost your reputation as a leader. Other research has found that leaders who use humor are viewed as more competent and credible and receive higher ratings from their subordinates. Lightening up could help you stand out. Your people love being with those who brighten up their world. After all, we are all about the “Good News”! Reduce stress. Heavy workloads are one of the significant reasons job stress has increased steadily in recent decades. Having opportunities to relax makes it easier to accomplish more. I find ministry to be fun. Yes, it is hard and heartbreaking, and painful at times. But I’m having fun being about the Father’s business. The good and the joy in it all keep the stress level low. Strengthen relationships. Humor is often a social activity. You learn things about your coworkers that may not be listed on their resumes, and you create happy memories that deepen your bonds. We need people in our lives so that we can have fun. As a Pastor or ministry leader, work on and focus on being one of those others look to for a good time. It will strengthen and build relationships. Protect your health. There are also many benefits for your physical and mental wellbeing. For example, humor can help relieve pain, boost your immune system, and lessen depression and anxiety. It’s just a medical fact. It’s one of the reasons vacations and times of being unplugged are so important. Schedule times in each day like you schedule your vacations to have fun. Get with your staff and make them all tell a joke. Develop a culture where they can’t wait to tell you a funny story that happened to them. Lead the way. Tips for Using Humor in Your Sermon: Stay safe. Many stand-up comedians try to be controversial, but you must watch out for your job security and reputation as a Pastor. Steer clear of sensitive topics that offend people. I often say I don’t mind offending people with the gospel if they find it offensive. I don’t need to offend with humor. Pace yourself. Surprise your congregation with a witty remark now and then. If you joke around throughout the entire message, it will be difficult for them to take you seriously when they need to. And make the most of a humorous moment. I often hit people with the hardest Biblical truths after a moment of laughter. That is when they are most open. So, yes, I work on planning that in my teaching. Consider your church culture. Every church and every congregation has its own culture. Please pay attention to how the congregation reacts to gauge whether you’re amusing or offending them. If people think you shouldn’t have fun at church, they probably won’t attend the church I pastor. It’s a part of our culture. As the leader, you are the one who leads the way in setting your church culture. Liven up meetings. The joke for church “board” meetings is often that they are “bored” meetings. Make your meetings more memorable by setting your presentations to music or throwing in a few pop culture references. We always laugh in our meetings, even when dealing with a series of decisions. We say, “While we take God and what we do very seriously, we never take ourselves seriously.” This helps us as a team have fun together. Share content. You can send your team entertaining video clips and news stories, even on busy days. Searching for content about penguins and cheese rolling takes a few minutes. Is it spiritual? It’s relational, and relational is spiritual. This is good to share on your social media for the church body. Let them get to know you by sharing what you consider funny. They will feel they are getting to know you better as a leader. Tell stories. Humor can be especially meaningful when you tie it into an appropriate narrative. Strengthen your connection by revealing something about your personal life. Find a case study that backs up your point. Especially in your sermons, tell stories. Jesus did: “Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in his public ministry, he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them” (Mark 4:33–34, NLT). Play games. Make office tasks more like your favorite video game by awarding points and rewards for submitting your timesheets when they’re due. Keep a jigsaw puzzle in the break room for anyone to work on while passing through for a cup of coffee. You will keep good staff members longer when they have fun in ministry with you and the rest of the team. Your church needs to see that you and the staff have fun together. Stage events. Encourage friendly competition with your own office Olympics. Host a movie night with popcorn and retro candy. As you plan many other things in your ministry schedule, plan fun for the staff and leadership team. They will thank you for this. As a leader, you can make your team and your church laugh without getting into trouble or offending people. Who knows, it could be a part of the secret sauce for attracting people to your church. After all, most people think you can’t have fun in church, let alone have fun when you are a Christian. Nothing could be further from the truth! Shouldn’t we, as Christians, have the most fun in this life? After all, we are free, we know we are forgiven, and we know where we go when we get to the end of life. We have a lot to celebrate and be joyful about!

With Labor Day being this last Monday, we are going to reflect on the importance of our work, namely our ministries, and how it can impact our spiritual lives. Many pastors and church leaders may struggle with balancing their work and personal lives, but there are ways to integrate the two seamlessly and overcome daily challenges. Let's explore some helpful suggestions for work-life integration in the ministry context. Guiding Principles 1. Make your own decisions. As a pastor or church ministry leader, it's important to prioritize the fulfillment of your calling and productivity when making decisions based on your values and needs. Avoid assuming that you are simply there to please others. Remember that ministry-life integration is not about following others' lead but defining what works for you and your congregation. Keep in mind that any decisions you make must also be beneficial to your church. If they're not, it might be time to consider other options. 2. Consider your boundaries. Establish clear boundaries between your ministry and personal time to avoid burnout and stress. Communicate with your congregation or leadership team to find a comfortable balance that allows you to recharge and be fully present for your ministry duties. Taking care of yourself will ultimately benefit your congregation as well. 3. Think long-term. Prioritize your physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual well-being for the long haul. Remember to allocate time for your loved ones, hobbies, and interests as they contribute to your overall wellness and prevent burnout. By taking care of yourself, you also honor God and serve your congregation more effectively. 4. Update your plans. Having a general plan for your ministry is important, but remain flexible as change is inevitable. Adapt to new environments and responsibilities to achieve success without sacrificing your personal life or the needs of your congregation. Check in occasionally to ensure you're on the right path and fulfilling your calling to serve others. 5. Give yourself credit. Remember to celebrate your milestones. It's easy to feel guilty about ministry and forget to be kind to yourself. Take time to acknowledge the small wins and give yourself credit for the progress you make. Different seasons of ministry may require different work needs, so be mindful of balancing your time with family and ministry duties. For example, when my children were growing up, I had to make sure I spent time with them. As a pastor, you may need to prioritize time with your congregation during certain seasons, but remember also to prioritize self-care and rest. 6. Remain flexible. Flexibility is crucial in balancing your ministry life and personal life. Consider ways to incorporate flexibility into your church and ministry practices or seek out opportunities that offer the flexibility you require. While it's not your congregation's responsibility to provide this flexibility, it's your responsibility as a leader in ministry to create the culture. It's important to keep in mind that financial limitations may factor into your decision-making process. Time Management Balancing our ministry and personal lives can be a challenge. However, with effective time management, we can ensure that we are completing tasks efficiently while also making time for personal pursuits and relaxation. This is key to achieving successful work-life integration. It enriches work-life integration. Time management isn't merely about getting more work done, it's about optimizing our time to engage in activities that enrich our lives. (Hopefully, your ministry is also enriching your life; if not, consider a change.) Proper time management helps us focus on tasks, reduce stress, and prevent burnout. It assists in integrating our ministry and personal lives, ensuring we have time to rest and recharge. Effective time management skills help us take control of our schedules, prioritize tasks, and balance work and personal commitments. Even those of us who aren't naturally organized can benefit from using tools and techniques to stay on track. Remember, the goal of ministry-life integration isn't to work harder but to work smarter. And that begins with mastering time management. So here are some tips that I have found work for me as a Pastor: 1. Be realistic. Establish your top priorities and stick to them. If you're struggling with your to-do list daily, you probably need to cut back on the less critical tasks. 2. Get organized. You can accomplish more when you have solid systems in place. Look for ways to accomplish things more efficiently. A reliable, systematic approach to everything will give you peace of mind. And yes, we are all systematic. Often, we have a terrible system in place. 3. Limit distractions. We all have the same 168 hours in a week. Maybe you lose track of time watching TV or talking on the phone. Reclaim those wasted hours. Working 50 hours a week and sleeping 8 hours a night leaves you almost 9 hours a day for everything else. Consider what you are genuinely and honestly doing with those 9 hours. 4. Schedule downtime. Even just five minutes of relaxation can help you stay calm and focused. Take a walk, meditate, or listen to worship music. Don't forget to have fun and enjoy life! God designed our minds and bodies to need adequate rest, although we often think we need more than He says. He said we are to work 6 days and rest 1. I can't help but wonder if much of our stress is that we have too much downtime and don't use life for the purpose and plans He has given us through our work (Just a thought). Additional Suggestions 1. Recognize individual differences. Everyone approaches their calling and ministry with the gifts, talents, and personality that God has given them. Take the time to discover how your unique strengths and abilities can contribute to a successful ministry and personal life integration. Regardless, it is important to keep learning. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in ministry by participating in online classes, conferences, or workshops. Continuous learning will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed for success as a ministry leader. 2. Ask for support. If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't be afraid to ask for help. As Pastors and ministry leaders, this is a part of our job (Ephesians 4). Your church may have resources to help you with time management or work-life integration. Talk to your board or Elders about what support they can offer. 3. Reach out to others. Pastors need pastors. Look for ways to provide the same kind of assistance to those around you. Team up with a coworker so you can help one another in ministry and with their churches. 4. Take care of yourself. Keeping yourself fit enables you to contribute at home and in the church. Eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, manage stress, and stick to a regular sleep schedule. This is about us being faithful stewards to God and our people. A healthy church does its best to help you enjoy your ministry and life. 5. Be yourself in ministry. As much as possible, reveal your authentic self as you lead. It will liberate others to do the same. You'll also be more likely to form true friendships with your people. It's a big job to coordinate all the facets of your life and ministry. It's a responsibility that God has given each of us as individuals and ultimately we answer to Him. Ephesians 6:7 tells us to "Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people" (NLT). The key is understanding and integrating our ministry and personal lives. Achieving this doesn't have to be daunting; it can be an enjoyable journey. So take the first step today by incorporating the tips above into your daily routine. You will find that ministry-life integration can be both rewarding and fulfilling!

It's that time again when everyone gets into the Christmas spirit. Carols are sung in the streets, decorations are going up, and everyone seems to be a bit friendlier. Churches often make the same mistakes each holiday season- they hold only peaceful services on Christmas Eve or Christmas day and do nothing else. Some churches don't take advantage of any opportunities at all. When really, the community celebrates Christmas just as much as anyone else, if not more. Your church can quickly become a part of that by hosting a Christmas party that includes your church community and their friends and neighbors. It's a win-win; not only will members be happy but invited friends and community members will come too and have their lives changed because of it. Here are 6 reasons why your church needs to host a multi-generational Christmas party this year. And a simple way to do so with very few volunteers and a small budget - with great potential returns! 1. It's an excellent opportunity to invite friends and neighbors from the community. With so many holiday parties and events geared towards children or adults, finding something everyone can enjoy together can be challenging. But Merry Mania solves this problem by offering a festive and fun event that everyone will love. If you're unfamiliar with Merry Mania, it is a giant party in the weeks leading up to Christmas. A Merry mania party is a party your church can host for your church people and the community as an outreach. It involves a lot of food, music (people want to sing Christmas Carols together at Christmas), and fun. Merry Mania will provide a festive and fun event that everyone in your church will love. 2. A multi-generational Christmas party is a great way to celebrate Christmas Christmas is a time when family and friends get together to celebrate. What better way to celebrate than to have a party that includes everyone? A multi-generational Christmas party is the perfect way to celebrate the season. There should be something for everyone at the party. You are providing an excellent opportunity for people to get to know each other better. A Merry Mania Christmas party is designed to help you and your church do just that. 3. It's a great way to share the Christmas message. One of the great things about a multi-generational Christmas party at your church is that it allows everyone to hear the true Christmas message in full. This is often lost amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. By providing a Merry Mania party, you will be helping people take a step back from the busyness of the season and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. 4. You will provide lasting memories for your church and community. In today's world, it can be easy to get caught up in our lives and forget about the people around us. Your church should provide an opportunity for families of your church to come together and connect, as well as all generations of the church and community. This is important for everyone this time of year, but it can be especially valuable for struggling families. By coming together and celebrating Christmas, your church will provide a way for families to create lasting memories they can cherish for years to come. 5. People will see that your church is where they belong. Christmas is when many people are looking for a place to belong. And what better place to find belonging than in your church? By hosting a party, you will open another connection with other families. This can be difficult to do during Christmas when everyone is busy with their holiday plans. But by hosting a Christmas party at your Church, families will have the opportunity to come together and celebrate Christ's birth. They will also have a chance to connect with other church families, which can be a valuable experience for all involved. A Merry Mania party is an excellent way for families to come together and celebrate Christmas. If your church is looking for a fun and festive way to celebrate Christmas this year and provide a place for people to belong, you should consider hosting a Merry Mania event! 6. A Christmas party is a non-threatening way to reach your community. Many people in the world still remember that something is different about Christmas, even if they're not sure what it is. This is your chance to reach out to them and show them what Christmas is really about. Please don’t complain about the world; reach out to it. As people think less about Christianity, Christmas provides a unique opportunity for churches to make an impact. What's surprising is that many churches don't take advantage of this opportunity. This is the one time that your entire community is paying attention. This is the one time of year that everyone in your community is willing to slow down in life and celebrate. You can help them celebrate while at the same time reaching them with the good news of Jesus. This provides an incredible opportunity for you and your church. This is a fantastic way to partner with your church attendees to reach others. Rather than just grieving and focusing on the commercialization of Christmas and how culture disregards Christ at Christmas. You and your church can take advantage of the fact that culture is open to singing and celebrating Jesus' birth and make Christmas a time to connect with you and your ministry. What is Merry Mania? Merry Mania is an event for churches that want a multi-generational Christmas party. There will be fun for all ages, and people will hear the Christmas message in full. They will also sing some of the old familiar and favorite Christmas Carols in a contemporary version. When it comes to Christmas, one of the best things we can do is come together as a community and celebrate. Because the church is to be multi-generational, this is the perfect place and time for a Merry Mania party. It allows people of all ages to come together and share the season’s joy. It will enable everyone to get involved. The young, old, families, and singles can participate in the activities, and everyone can enjoy the music and message. This is a great way to bring people together and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Merry Mania makes hosting a Christmas party easy by providing all the materials you need, from games to crafts. Plus, it engages all of the senses! It's a great way to celebrate Christmas with families in your community and requires few volunteers. So if you're looking for a fun, festive, and meaningful way to celebrate Christmas, be sure to check out Merry Mania, a party that will help you and your church focus on the true meaning of Christmas. It's sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit!

When describing teenagers, a popular image gets used a lot: a moody, awkward, and explosive young person. And while there's undoubtedly some truth to that characterization, it's not the whole story. Teens are also incredibly creative, full of energy, and capable of great things. But unfortunately, they don't always get the support they need to tap into their potential. As a result, many teens feel lost and uncertain about their future, but it doesn't have to be this way. Like most adults, they struggle with self-doubt. They think they are not good enough, and the world is against them. After all, they are going through one of the most turbulent periods in their lives, transitioning from childhood to adulthood. All along, parents are going through all of this with them. They often do not know what to do. They hope that they, both their teens and themselves, survive. With no surprise, it seems to be a mess. Parents depend on the church, specifically the youth Pastor or youth leader. The Pastor is doing the same thing by focused on teaching and leading adults. They often forget that what the adults need is help with their teenagers. What do you do? It's Time For a Big shift One of the best ways to help teens is to shift our ministries to partner with parents. Too often, parents are left out of the equation, and that's a mistake. They're the ones who know their kids best and they need to be involved for ministry to be effective. Partnering with parents looks different depending on the ministry. One of the biggest mistakes we make in ministry is that we are asking something more of the parents. We ask them to attend another class at church or another event. Like all of us, as much as we love our kids and want them to succeed and live as followers of Jesus, we are spent, exhausted. So, how do you tackle this problem? We already have everything we need for those who are a part of the church. We need to do some realignment of how we do what we do. Imagine the Outcome Imagine that you are partnering with the parents in your church while they are already at your services. And no, you don't need to move them out of the adult service to a class. Instead, you align the teachings at age-appropriate levels. In other words, the adults are hearing a sermon or message as usual about a Biblical topic and applying it to their lives. At the same time, the teens are learning the same Biblical passage at an age-appropriate level. Now partnership can truly begin. For example, the lead Pastor may mention something to parents as he is preaching, like, "your teens are learning this same thing today; on your way home, be sure an talk about..." Likewise, the youth leader can do the same, "be sure and talk with your parents about this issue on the way home and throughout the week." Always Provide Resources More than likely, you are already providing parental resources in your ministry. If not, it's time to start. Unfortunately, in most churches, we provide resources to parents that require them to go home and do more homework. Something most of us couldn't wait to get out of school to quit doing. By getting in alignment with your teachings, there is no more homework. There are receiving the training they need during the service. And the follow-up resources are a result of both the learning for adults and teens. Communicate, communicate, communicate Communicate with parents regularly. You may be thinking our youth Pastor does that already. That is not what I said. Pastor, lead Pastor, communicate with parents regularly. Get on the same page with the youth Pastor in the communication during services and throughout the week. If you are a lead or senior Pastor, you are the one who is totally and entirely responsible to "teach these new disciples to obey my commands" (Jesus, Matthew 28). Not only is it essential to partner with parents, but with your pastoral staff and volunteer leaders. They represent you and your ministry leadership every time they have a gathering or teaching. With the teaching alignment, you can talk about what you are teaching at a new level. Not only will you be better at communicating with parents and teens, but you will also be better at communicating and working with your team. They will feel part of the vision and mission of the church like they never have in the past. In the same way that parents should not just be handing their teenagers off to the church and hoping the youth group and youth Pastor will make them a disciple, you as a Pastor and church shouldn't either. You are in this together; ultimately, the success or failure of the youth ministry is on you as the leader. Pray for Parents Finally, we need to pray for parents and their kids. They face many and varied challenges and can't do it alone. We need to ask God to help them stay strong in their faith and to guide their kids through the difficult teenage years. Do this publicly and privately. When you have your teachings aligned, at the end of a service, you can pray for the parents then and there. You don't have to have a separate prayer meeting. At that moment, ask those in your congregation that don't have teenagers to commit to praying for parents throughout the week. You will begin to build unity as everyone gets on board with the vision. Looking Back, Looking Ahead Most of us, as adults, look back on our teens years with fond memories, even when going through mood swings, dramatic outbursts, and embarrassing situations. We recall our adolescent years with fondness. But, if we as church leaders take the steps described, we will raise a generation of leaders who don't have to dig to remember teen years with fond memories. Instead, we will raise a generation that values the formative years of becoming adults alongside parents and pastors who cared enough to pour the life of Jesus into them. And, in turn, will be warriors for the teens under their care. P.S. Want to know more about how you can live this out in your church? One Voice Ministries exist to help you. Check out how you can not only do this but get back more time to do and enjoy the ministry God has called you to do: teachonevoice.com

If you want to be more creative, productive, and fulfilled in life, you need to get out of your comfort zone. Living in a comfort zone is a trap that keeps us from living our potential. God wants us to stretch and grow, and growth happens best when we are getting out of our comfort zone. Fear keeps us stuck in our comfort zone. Fear is not from God. He gives us faith. With faith, we can overcome any obstacle and step out of our comfort zones to grow and achieve the great things God has placed in our hearts to do. With His power, we are over-comers of anything that keeps us stuck. Here are some ways to get out of your comfort zone: 1. Pray for God's guidance and wisdom. Ask Him to show you where He wants you to stretch and grow. When it comes to getting out of our comfort zones, prayer is one of the most important things we can do. Prayer connects us with God, who wants nothing more than for us to reach our potential and live a fulfilling life. He guides us and gives us wisdom as we step out in faith. When we pray for guidance, we are opening our hearts and minds to Him, and ready to receive whatever He has for us. So don't hesitate to pray for guidance when you feel stuck or like you're not sure what to do next. God will guide you every step of the way! In addition to prayer, it's also important to read scripture that encourages us to stretch and grow. Here are some scriptures that can help inspire you: "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT) "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, NLT) "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31, NLT) "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT) God has great plans for us, and He wants us to grow and reach our potential. With faith in Him, we can overcome any obstacle that stands in our way! 2. Identify the areas in your life where you feel most comfortable. Areas in our lives where we feel most comfortable are usually the areas we need to challenge ourselves the most. These may be areas where we're used to being good at things or where we're used to being in control. But when we stay in these areas, we're not growing and stretching ourselves. We're not reaching our potential. One way to identify these areas is to ask yourself what makes you feel uncomfortable. What are you afraid of? What are you anxious about? What makes you feel out of your element? These are usually the areas where we need to challenge ourselves the most. When we push ourselves outside of our comfort zones, it can be difficult and uncomfortable at first. But over time, we begin to see progress and growth. We learn new things and become better versions of ourselves. So don't be afraid to challenge yourself in the areas that make you feel uncomfortable! God will be with you every step of the way. 3. Set some goals that require you to step out of your comfort zone in order to achieve them. When it comes to setting goals, it's important to choose ones that challenge us and require us to step out of our comfort zones. This is the only way we can grow and achieve great things. So how do we go about setting these types of goals? Here are a few tips: Make sure your goals are realistic and attainable. Don't set yourself up for failure by choosing goals that are too difficult or unrealistic. Make sure they are something you believe you can achieve with hard work and dedication. Write your goals down and make a plan for how you will achieve them. This will help keep you accountable and motivated as you work towards reaching them. Find a support group or accountability partner to help you stay on track. When we have someone else to help us stay focused and motivated, it makes the process a lot easier. Celebrate each accomplishment along the way! When we reach small accomplishments, it helps keep us motivated and encouraged to keep going. So make sure to celebrate each milestone as you progress toward reaching your ultimate goal. With these tips in mind, you can start setting some goals that will require you to step out of your comfort zone and achieve the great things God has placed in your heart! 4. Find a mentor or coach who can help you identify your blind spots and help you develop a plan to overcome them. When it comes to overcoming our blind spots, it can be helpful to have someone else help us out. This is where a mentor or coach can come in handy. A mentor is someone who has been where we are and has the experience and knowledge to help guide us. They can help us learn from our mistakes and give us advice on how to move forward. A mentor can be a great source of encouragement and support. A coach, on the other hand, is someone who helps us develop a plan to overcome our blind spots. They hold us accountable and push us to reach our full potential. They help us identify our weaknesses and work on improving them. Coaches are great for those who need extra support and motivation to reach their goals. A mentor or coach can be a valuable asset in helping you get out of your comfort zone and reach your fullest potential! 5. Take baby steps outside of your comfort zone. Don't try to do too much too quickly. When you do this, it's hard and you might not be very successful. It's better to take a few baby steps outside of your comfort zone. This will help you get used to the new thing and make it easier. For example, if you're afraid of public speaking, don't try to give a speech in front of a large group of people right away. This will likely just make you more nervous and increase your anxiety. Start with something smaller, like giving a presentation to a small group of people. Once you're comfortable with that, then you can start working your way up to larger groups. Baby steps are important when it comes to getting out of your comfort zone. They help you ease into the new thing and make it less scary. So don't be afraid to start small! You can always work your way up as you get more comfortable. Accommodating your discomfort day after day is exhausting and limiting. We naturally avoid discomfort, but that’s where all the fun and growth happen. Push forward to live outside your comfort zone and be an overcomer. Being an overcomer means having faith in God no matter what the situation. It means trusting Him even when we don't understand what is happening in our lives. It means believing that He has a plan for us and that He will never leave us or forsake us. When we are faced with difficult challenges, it is easy to become discouraged. But as believers, we know that we can overcome anything through Christ who strengthens us. We must keep our eyes on Him and not be tempted to give up or give in to our fears. As long as we stay focused on Him, we will be victorious over any obstacle that comes our way. Get out of your comfort zone today. You’ll be glad you did!

Culture has changed. That means the church must change. This isn't a new statement, but what does it mean for pastors and church leaders? How do we make changes in our churches when so many people are comfortable with the status quo? This blog provides four steps to help churches navigate through these waters and make the necessary changes for the future. Whether you're just starting in ministry or have been at it for years, these steps will help you see needed change and implement it in your church. 1. Develop a Clear Vision Your church needs a clear vision if it is going to be successful. This means developing a mission statement and core values that everyone in the church can agree on. It also means having a plan for how you will achieve your vision. When everyone has a clear idea of where the church is headed, it will be easier to unify the congregation around a common goal. This may mean that you need to revisit your vision. And you will need to speak the vision so that everyone understands it. I'm frequently asked how much a pastor should speak about vision, and the answer is straightforward: if you didn't say anything about your vision last week, you're not talking about it enough. In other words, include it in each message! Yes, every week! Every message! 2. Create Opportunities for Participation One way to unify the church is to create opportunities for participation. This means allowing everyone in the church, regardless of age and position, to play an active role. If you do not give people a voice and allow them to contribute, it will be difficult for them to feel as though they are part of the team. All ages need to be a part of the team. Not just occasionally, but continuously. For instance, many times churches try to do this with teens by having a special youth Sunday where the teens do the service. That is great but that's not being a part of the team. The teens need to be a part of the team every week. If you are not experiencing growth in your teen ministry it may be because you are not really making them a part of the church. Work on involving youth in volunteer positions on the weekend or bring your youth into the service for worship. 3. Value People over Programs Programs will come and go, but people remain. If you lose sight of this and become more focused on the programs, you will eventually start losing members. Instead, put your faith in your people and make them feel valued for who they are as individuals. Putting value on people will help unify your church. This often doesn't happen because a church may value performance over people. Not intentionally of course. But many churches expect perfection from their people, and when they don't get it, they move on to someone who can perform. This attitude doesn't help anyone, including the church. This is also one reason we don't allow kids and teens to actually be a part of the team. God wants our best as an act of worship. Our best as a church will never be nor should it be measured against the church down the road. 4. Create a Sense Of Belonging Everyone should feel as though they belong and that they have a role to play. You can help members perceive themselves as a vital part of the community by encouraging them to get involved with certain programs, teams, classes, or groups. This will help them feel as if they are a valuable asset to the church. The biggest shift needed in most church cultures is that all generations need to have a sense of belonging. This requires some time and creativity on your part, but it is well worth the effort. The more people see themselves as an integral part of your church family, the more likely they will be returning each week - and bringing friends with them! This is not about creating a family ministry. It is about creating a sense of belonging for everyone regardless of age or position. Coming up with a plan There are many ways you can unify the church and make everyone feel as though they belong. 1. Develop a Clear Vision 2. Create Opportunities for Participation 3. Value People over Programs 4. Create a Sense Of Belonging It is important that every member feels like they have an active role to play within your congregation so that they may participate more fully in how things work on Sundays - but also throughout the week when not at church too. They should recognize that they are the church!

The church has been losing the battle of making disciples of young people. The statistics are startling and unacceptable. According to Barna's research, 70% of kids who grow up in the church will walk away from their faith once they are old enough to be on their own. What's the problem? Why is this happening? While kids are learning Bible stories and Bible history, they are not learning to live out their faith. They are growing up in the church but not learning how to be the church. A Dysfunctional Partnership As a pastor, I would say that we as a church were partnering with the parents for their kid's spiritual success. But rather than truly partnering with Parents to help them disciple their kids, we often unwittingly did the opposite. Parents were disconnected from what their kids were learning, and it brought back the age-old discussion at the dinner table: “what did you learn today” “I don’t know.” And when the kids or students did remember what they had learned, it was often something that the parents themselves were clueless about. For example, I would be doing a series on "How To Have Healthy Biblical Relationships", a worthy and much-needed topic. In the kid's area, they may have been teaching the story of Jonah and the whale, a topic that points to Jesus and we should teach and understand. At the same time in the youth department, the Youth Pastor is walking the students through biblical principles for dealing with peer pressure and temptation. All are very worthy Biblical teachings, in fact, necessary and applicable and will point to Jesus. But creates no unity in the church or the family. Rather than working with parents, we were simply asking them to trust us to turn their children or students into a disciple. This may be appropriate except that the ones who are chosen to disciple kids, the ones God has given this duty to are first and foremost the parents. But we as a church were choosing to assume this role for them and in so doing, we undermined the vital and critical requirement and responsibility and calling of parents. Time For A Change It was time for a change in our church! We thought we should be teaching in unity with what the Bible says, but at different levels. So we teach with One Voice, which is the same thing as all ages but age-appropriate. This allows our people to continue their spiritual journey together for the other 167 hours of the week. Our children are now learning the same Biblical teachings that our teenagers and parents do, which ensures there is cohesion in what is being taught both at church and at home. So now if we're discussing "How to Have Healthy Biblical Relationships," we're all learning it but at an age-appropriate level of comprehension. We're all drawing on the same biblical narrative to back up, strengthen, unpack, and apply Jesus' teaching. Now when the question is posed at the dinner table or during a car ride home, "what did you learn today," parents are prepared and equipped to assist their children in remembering and discussing how to apply what they've learned to their daily lives. Not just for their kids' sake, but also to allow them to see how biblical truth is put into action. Results The result has been extremely encouraging! Kids are growing up with a Christian worldview, understanding their own spiritual life journey and how to live out their faith rather than walk away from it later when they get older. Parents truly feel that we are partnering with them in their journey of making disciples of their kids and are equipped and empowered to answer questions and take their kids further. Families are truly on a spiritual journey together. Our Church family is truly on a spiritual journey together and experiencing unity like never before.

The ability to lead is critical to success in life. It's critical that we not only be able to lead others but also willing to lead ourselves. This is especially important for leaders in the ministry. Success is obedience to God and His plan. Doing what God wants you to do, not what other people want you to do. God may want you to do things that are different than what everyone else is doing. You may have to blaze trails in order to help other people follow Him. It's not enough to just talk about being a leader. Leaders must take action to do what God wants. Being a good leader is more than just being in front of a crowd speaking or preaching. A leader must act. They must be willing to put in the work, to sacrifice their own time and energy for the benefit of others. This includes not only spiritual things but also practical things. Leaders must be willing to help people, serve them, and show them the love of Jesus. In order to become good ministry leaders ourselves, we need to concentrate on actions rather than simple appearances. There are 3 steps in this article. But you don't have to think of them as progressive steps. Instead, think of them as things you need to do on a regular basis. First, be aware of new opportunities that God is bringing your way. Things are always changing, so you have to be ready for new possibilities. God is the God of new: "For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland." (Isaiah 43:19) God is perpetually doing something new. God is perpetually making a pathway through the wilderness of your life and ministry toward all that He has in store. God is perpetually creating rivers in the dry wastelands that we are experiencing. Second, watch for inspiration in the mundane of everyday life. The wisest leaders live and breathe inspiration. They know and understand that God is with them, living in them and working in and through all things to inspire them to lead. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9) The best way to find courage and strength, inspiration, is to know that God is with us always. In every situation, no matter how mundane it may seem, God is there working to inspire us. Third, always seek to expand your horizons, internally, externally, and philosophically. God said this in Isaiah 55:8: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." As ministry leaders, you must immerse yourself in growing and understanding God's ways. He wants you to. He wants to share His ways with you. After all you are leading at His pleasure and command. In all of this, God is seeking for and using leaders from all gifting. You may not feel that you are a trailblazer, and you may not want to be. We need godly trailblazers as well as pioneers in ministry who will see the new things God is doing and start out on the new path He has already blazed. And of course, we need leaders who are settlers, those willing to put into operation and make the new things of God the norm. Regardless of your gifting and makeup as a leader, these 3 steps will help you to live in success as His leader. Remember, success is obedience. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us," (Ephesians 3:20)

The message of Jesus is "Good News." People are attracted to things that make them feel good. As Christians, we must confront the sins that keep us from God. That's all the more reason why your church communication should focus on the "Good News" of Jesus. Indeed, we won't attract the hurting and lost by telling them they are going to hell or that they are a sinner. (Before I became a follower of Jesus, I already knew that! I needed someone to share some "Good News" with me.) It's just the opposite. We need to show them the love of Jesus Christ to see His great power and mercy. When they experience His love, they are drawn to Him. Many hurting, lost, and lonely people - families - in your community need to know that your church has "Good News" to offer them through Jesus. They need hope. So, try communicating with them with these 3 elements: 1. Talk about the benefits of attending your church. Changing how you talk about your church can often make the difference on whether or not someone walks through the doors. It is a big deal for someone to take that step. Try talking about some benefits like this: "Our church provides a sense of community. It is a place where everyone is accepted and loved for who they are. While God loves us just the way we are, He does not want to leave us there. Instead, he wants us to grow to be more like His son Jesus. That's why we teach from the Bible, God's Word. It gives us guidance on living life the way He created us to live. Scripture tells us that His plans for us are "good, pleasing and perfect." Romans (12:2) And at our church, we want to help you discover and live the "good, pleasing and perfect" plan He has for your life." 2. Paint a Word Picture of what life looks like when someone is a part of your church. Unfortunately, we often just spend our time and energy telling people that they should go to church. Instead, try painting a picture of how being a part of God's family changes their lives for the better. Try a different approach: "When you walk through the doors of our church, we will make sure that you know and feel like you are a part of something special. After all, this is God's family. Our church is where you will learn about God and His love for you and get to know Him. It's also a place where you can find support and encouragement from others who are on the same journey. 3. Inspire Immediate Action We've all tried: "Why don't you come to church this weekend" or "You should come to church this weekend." Try changing your wording in your invite just a little to inspire immediate action: "If you attend our church, your life will be changed for the better. You will be welcomed into a community of people who love and accept you for who you are. We want to help you grow closer to God and live the life He created for you. So wake up on Monday with a new view of life! You can spend the week knowing that you are on a new journey with a God-given purpose. That your life has meaning and purpose." Notice the shift from Sunday to Monday. Because we know the "Good News" of Jesus will change people's Mondays and beyond into eternity when they get their eyes on Jesus. Your wording will be very different than mine, and it should be. My hope from this quick blog is to jar our minds, to expand our view. After all, you are doing fantastic work in your church and ministry. And there are people all around you that need what you have to offer them through the "Good News" of Jesus. It's easy to think that they know all the incredible benefits of attending your church and following Him, but they don't. They more than likely don't know what goes on behind the doors of your church. Let them know in an attractive way. They will be glad you did!