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on November 5, 2019 in Church Leadership

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On Wednesday, I have the privilege of conducting two breakout sessions for Acts 29 Network Southeast Conference event Advance The Church 2019.  Acts 29 is a church planting network which from my perspective is distinct because of their diversity, sound theology and biblical accuracy.  This year’s theme centers on the calling of courage for church planters.  It is an absolute joy for me to invest in this group of leaders.

Because of my work with INJOY Stewardship Solutions, I get a front-row seat for many of today’s church growth trends.  The core of my content will be my observations for the best practices of fast-growing churches.  For those of you who cannot attend this incredible event, I want to share my speaking notes with you.

The following are 10 Common Threads Of Fast Growing Churches I am currently seeing which I will be sharing with the Acts 29 Network:

To the Church in Ephesus

1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

  1. Fast Growing Churches All Started As Small Churches
    1. So stay encouraged.
    2. The most common answer to why are we growing so fast – “I don’t know.”
    3. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” – 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
    4. Tell the story of my sister Michelle’s salvation
  2. Great Preaching
    1. Nothing grows a church faster than great preaching.
    2. Biblical – In the area of discipleship, you need to provide people the biblical framework for how they should live their lives.
    3. Bold – You are not giving a talk. You are delivering a message from the Ancient of Days to his people about the issues they are facing in their lives at this point and time in human history.
    4. Brave – You need to be the prophetic voice in your city.
    5. For more on this subject, click 24 Signs Of An Elite Preacher.
  3. Great Vision
    1. Clear
    2. Crisp
    3. Compelling – The size and scope will attract financial leaders.
    4. Connection
  4. Thriving Children and Youth Ministry
    1. Be strategic. Enlist those most invested in the ministry. (parents)
    2. Be fun. Have high energy.
    3. Be safe. Reduce risk.
    4. Be relational. Get to know your volunteers personally.
    5. Be a cheerleader. Always celebrate the children and volunteers.
    6. Be respectful. The real experts in children’s ministry are the parents.
    7. Be visible. Let the parents and children have constant access to you.
    8. Be a coach. Continually tell volunteers how they can better love the children.
    9. Be grateful. Always be saying, “Thank You!”
    10. Be loving. It covereth a multitude of sins.
    11. Be Jesus. Teach the Gospel.
    12. For more on this subject click 39 Habits Of Highly Successful Children’s Pastors And Communicating With Volunteers.
  5. Clear Systems for Volunteer Engagement
    1. Attraction System
    2. Build – Training System
    3. Convert – Onboarding System
    4. Delight – Appreciation System
    5. Evaluation System
    6. For more on this topic, click 4 Ways To Attract More Church Volunteers. 5 Ways To Thank Church Volunteers.
  6. Willing To Change
    1. No one likes change but a baby.
    2. Ruthlessly Self-Evaluate – Invite organizational and systematic change by continually asking if this is the best method to do something.
    3. Be humble enough to change.
    4. Do not confuse activity with accomplishment.
    5. Be willing to address issues.
    6. Be willing to address barriers.
  7. Unified Staff
    1. Culture – You hire culture.
    2. Public Support
    3. Private Support
    4. Alignment
  8. Their Financial Needs Outpace Their Financial Resources
    1. Struggling to Stability to Surrender to Sacrifice to Serenity
    2. Preaching System
    3. Personal Finance System
    4. First-Time Giver System
    5. Digital Giving System
    6. High-Capacity Giver System
    7. Worship Services
    8. Year-End Giving System
    9. For more on this topic, click 7 Systems Every Church Needs To Increase Weekly Giving.
  9. Passionate About Unchurched People
    1. You will grow through visitors.
    2. Tell the story of what an unchurched person goes through on Sunday morning.
  10. Highly Active In Their Community
    1. “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lordon its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” – Jeremiah 29:7
    2. Be #ForOrlando
    3. Do not complete with your city, complete your city.
    4. Go to your local schools and ask what their needs are.
    5. Go to your local city government and ask what their needs are.
    6. For more on this topic, click 12 Signs Of A Church Who Loves Its Community.

My book Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices Of Apex Leaders is available for purchase.  If you have ever wanted to become the leader God created you to be, this book is for you!  By combining leadership lessons from biblical heroes like Jesus, Daniel and Joseph, along with modern day leaders like Bill Gates, Nick Saban, Kobe Bryant and multiple pastors, Timeless will equip and inspire you.  This book is not to be read alone.  Discussion questions are included in each chapter allowing you to develop those in your circle of influence.  Click HERE or on the image provided and order your copies TODAY.

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