7 Touches That Help Guests Return
Far too often, church guests share with me that no one spoke to them. How sad! The churches I served did not want this to be said about us, so we developed seven “touches.” A touch is any meaningful interaction that communicates, “We noticed you, we value you, and we would love to see you […]
8 Steps to Receiving and Implementing Vision
True vision is not something you conjure up on your own; it is something you receive from God. More often than we want to admit, we dream a big dream and then ask God to bless it after the fact. In a world driven by ambition and self-promotion, God calls His servants to slow down and listen […]
Nine Reasons Programs Are Not a “Silver Bullet”
Let me begin clearly: programs are not the enemy. Tools, strategies, and structured efforts can serve the church well when rightly used. But we often see churches seeking a “silver bullet” to accomplish what only spiritual renewal and faithful obedience can produce. When programs fail, it is usually not because of the program itself, but […]
Don’t be Afraid to Cry For Help
“They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many warned him to keep quiet, but he was crying out all […]
9 Indicators Your Church Is Moving into the Danger Zone
Churches rarely die suddenly. They drift. They fade slowly and subtly. What once burned brightly cools over time. The warning signs are usually there — we just ignore them. Here are nine indicators your church may be moving toward unhealthy territory…moving into the danger zone: 1. Tradition trumps reaching people. You spend more energy protecting […]
Growing Groups by Shepherding People
Healthy Sunday School classes and small groups don’t grow by accident—they grow because someone decides to shepherd people well. Our dear friend George Yates has just released a timely new book on groups or Sunday School. At its heart is a simple yet powerful reminder: growth flows from ministry, not mechanics. Below are seven crucial principles that help groups […]
Preparing for Revival in Alabama (Celebration 250)
In 2026, our nation will mark 250 years since its founding. While anniversaries often focus on history, monuments, and patriotic celebration, we believe this moment calls for something deeper. More than fireworks or fanfare, this milestone invites us to seek the One who has sustained us through every generation. Across Alabama, we are setting aside […]
Why Events Alone Do Not Produce Ongoing Worship Attendance
Church events can be valuable tools for outreach, but events by themselves rarely move people into consistent worship and community. The issue is not effort or intent—it’s often what happens during and after the event. If an event is not intentionally designed to move people toward relationship and discipleship, it becomes a moment rather than a movement. […]
12 Reasons Why Christians Don’t Attend Sporting Events
Watching college football has lost some of its appeal for me lately. The rise of NIL has left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth … though I doubt my personal frustration will dent the sport’s popularity. Still, it’s made me think about something more profound than athletics. I recently came across a […]
Calling Out the Called (Acts 13:2)
1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have […]