Between Monday and Sunday

A new study from The Barna Group explores social networking as well as how Americans use digital technology to get the products, services, and content they desire. The research identifies the mainstream - as well as emerging - platforms and practices. Additionally, the Barna study also examines how the Christian community engages with such technologies, including the use of church podcasts. David Kinnaman, the lead researcher on the project says, "Church leaders have to strike the delicate balance between the spiritual and cultural potential of tech tools without surrendering to the false promise of these tools. Having the means of reaching the masses - for instance, through podcasting - is a good thing. Yet, nothing matches the potency of life-on-life discipleship. In this respect, social networking and blogs can be effective tools to intimately connect with a small, natural network of relationships. The key is using the technology to in a way that is consistent with your callin...

I've just posted a new article that will be my lead for Monday's Pastors Today e-Newsletter. It's by one of my favorite writers, Ken Gosnell. Ken says, I have found that in order to make a real impact, I have to move past giving a presentation to really teaching people. Here are a few simple principles that I have found to be helpful ... Create powerful points. Use real stories. Write from different of points of view. Interact with the audience. Follow the Rule of 12. You may read his article now...

I'm reading an advance manuscript for Essential Church? Reclaiming a Generation of Dropouts by Thom Rainer and his son, research expert and respected blogger, Sam Rainer. I'm experiencing the same excitement that I felt when I first read the Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples by Thom Rainer & Eric Geiger. For me, Simple Church was life changing and church changing. In fact, my pastor, Bruce Grubbs (at Gladeville Baptist Church where I serve as a bi-vocational Pastor for Spiritual Growth) asked me to design a staff retreat around the principles contained in Simple Church so we could begin moving in that direction. I did and we did. You may view the staff retreat plan here . Essential Church asks the question, "Why do so many young adults (18 to 22) leave the church, and what will it take to bring them back?" This issue has been the subject of much study as pastors and church leaders grieve over the loss of so many of their you...

Jeff Iorg is the president of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He's just published a new book dealing with understanding the call of God. I've posted a 15-page sample that you can download from the LifeWay online catalog. This sample includes the title page, contents page, and chapter 8: "The Call to Pastoral Ministry." I recommend you order the book and read the sample while you're waiting on the book to come in the mail. It's a brief (115 pages) book that you will want to have on hand as you help others (or maybe yourself) process and understand the call of God on your life. Go to the LifeWay online catalog to download the sample then buy the book .

I love any new book from Thom Rainer (and it's not just because he's the president of LifeWay ). Think about the other great books he has put out there ... Simple Church : Returning to God's Process of Making Disciples The Book of Church Growth : History, Theology, and Principles Effective Evangelistic Churches : Successful Churches Reveal What Works and What Doesn't Breakout Churches : Discover How to Make the Leap The Unchurched Next Door : Understanding Faith Stages as Keys to Sharing Your Faith High Expectations : The Remarkable Secret for Keeping People in Your Church So I was stoked last week when I saw the new 6-week study: Vibrant Church : Becoming a Healthy Church in the 21st Century by Danny Akin and Thom Rainer. I've posted a 33-page sample that you may download free . This includes the table of contents, introduction, and all of chapter 1. Don't miss it!

Most of us have an average length we preach. You may have to ask someone else in your church to find out. So, About how long is your Sunday morning sermon (excluding invitation)? Take the poll on the front of the Pastor's Area of LifeWay.com It will only be active until May 23, 2008.

I've just posted the second article in our series on Pastor Terminations. We are counting down the top five reasons they happen. Bob Sheffield says church leaders and members may think that the pastor has a leadership style that seeks to have everything his way. In some instances, this is more reality than perception. Bob says that we pastors walk a fine line between exercising too little and too much leadership authority. In this case, the number four reason for pastor termination is that " The Pastor's Leadership Style Is Too Strong ." Read five reasons your leadership style may be perceived this way and five ways to guard against it .

NASHVILLE, Tenn., 5/7/08 -- While economists debate how serious America’s economic slowdown really is, Southern Baptist pastors report their members are still giving, in spite of the financial pressures felt by many families. A new study by LifeWay Research shows that 72 percent of Southern Baptist pastors indicate difficulties in the U.S. economy are affecting their churches negatively, yet 76 percent say offerings are at or above levels they had expected when drafting budgets several months ago. At the same time, 24 percent of the pastors say offerings are below what they had expected and 27 percent indicate their congregations will not meet budgets if current giving trends continue. View more information about the study now ... Economy pinching churches, but giving still strong For help with stewardship in your church ... LifeWay Stewardship Solutions New Day Resources

I found this research fascinating. In a new study from The Barna Group , they explore "the religious and demographic background of these two groups and show that they differ significantly from the born again Christian population in a variety of respects." As far as Jehovah’s Witnesses ... Only 7% of Jehovah’s Witnesses meet the criteria for being born again Only one out of every ten of those adults base their hope of salvation on a confession of sins and acceptance of Christ as their savior As far as Mormons ... Comparatively few Mormons believe that the Bible is totally accurate in all of its principles (32%). A majority believes that a good person can earn their way into Heaven. For much more information, I recommend you read the full article here ...

I saw this article by David Jeremiah in Baptist Press this morning. I think you could use this for a Wednesday night devotional or develop it into a sermon. Here's an excerpt ... Dr. Jeremiah asks, "Who is the most famous fugitive in the Bible? Jonah is famous for being the prophet who ran from God, but then ran into God in the depths of the ocean. He discovered there are no hiding places from God. Then he lists hideouts and hideaways Jonah used to hide from God: Geography Religious prejudice Self-pity Stubbornness He gets closer to home when he asks, "Have you built any of these in your life?" Work/career/advancement Family Leisure Ministry His closing quote is, "Be a follower, not a fugitive. Run to the Lord, not away from the Lord. Hide in the Lord, not from the Lord. When the Lord sees you next, may He see your face, not your back." His original article has much more detail, check it out here ...

Thanks for participating in last week's Quick Poll question from the Pastor's Area of LifeWay.com : "How many close friends (besides your spouse) do you have?" I'm thankful to God for those who have close friends. Would you pause and pray for those who don't? Ike Reighard says, "Friendship is a vital part of New Testament ministry and leadership. Without quality, biblical friendships, we are modeling a flawed Christian lifestyle for our church members. Most pastors find themselves in an unhealthy relationship where their wife is their only friend and counselor. If a pastor continues to project his problems onto his wife, she will grow disillusioned and desperate to leave the ministry." He says there are 4 types of friends every pastor needs (developer, designer, disturber, and discerner). You might also look at Henry Webb's article on the 4 stages of a pastor's ministry (foundation, maturing, multiplying, and legacy). He says, "In ad...

We're planning to take part of each of our three morning worship services tomorrow to thank God for our Mother's. This is what I am planning to share before we offer a prayer of thanks and blessing for moms. The book of Proverbs has great wisdom for every one of us. It is the Word of God and the wisdom from God for our lives. When these Proverbs were first written, they were intended as guides for young men who need wisdom and knowledge and training especially when it comes to women. Proverbs 31 is written to young men trying to help them understand the qualities in a woman that are the most valuable and The Message Paraphrase of Proverbs 31:10 says, "A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds." (The Message) But how do we measure the value of a mother? Are you wondering what mom should be paid for her work as mom? Salary.com has valuated the "mom job" of both the Working and Stay-at-Home Moms! Based on a survey of more than 18,000 mother...

I've just posted a new article on LifeWay.com . This is the first in a five-article series where retired pastoral ministry specialist Bob Sheffield will share the top five causes of forced terminations (from the 2006 Forced Termination survey conducted by the Church Minister Relation's Directors network in cooperation with LifeWay Christian Resources) and offer several prevention strategies for each. The cause he deals with in this article is cause # 5: The Church Was Already In Conflict When the Pastor Arrived Bob shares three important but often overlooked facts about this type of destructive church conflict. He then answers the question, "What does a pastor or staff member do to help prevent this type of forced termination from happening?" Read the article: Avoid the Top 5 Reasons for Pastoral Terminations

In his new song "Love Is Not A Fight," Warren Barfield sings about the importance of staying true to marriage vows. Love is a shelter in the raging storm Love is peace in the middle of a war If we try to leave, may God send His angels to guard the door No, love is not a fight but it's something worth fighting for Click on the Warren Barfield video to view it ...

Unchurched adults interested in finding a congregation aren't nearly as likely to visit one in person as a church member who is shopping for a new congregation. That means effective evangelism must begin outside the sanctuary in relationships between Christians and unbelievers, according to research from several recent studies from LifeWay Research. My favorite part of the report is the audio interview with Ed Stetzer and Tim Keller Access the findings and listen to the audio interview with Ed Stetzer and Tim Keller

This is a great blog post by Craig Groeschel ( Pastor of LifeChurch.tv ). His blog is one that I follow very closely. This one was especially true and I think this is a good word for all of us who are teaching/preaching ... Craig Groeschel says, "Everything you say must be true. But everything that is true doesn’t need to be said." Then he lists several examples ( go to his blog post to read all of them ) Here's one example: "If you’re going to tell a story about someone in the church, get their permission first." I think that is true even if you are saying something good about that person. I added the following comment on his blog... This is a great follow up to your “Take Some Risks” post. I’ve been chewing on that and asking the Lord how I can do that more. As far as this post, I’ve been amazed at how much it raises the tension in the congregation if I cross this line of sharing a personal story about a church member - even if it’s positive. I don’t think it...

I've posted five new sermons by Rick Ezell in Proclaim Online. You may access them on the Pastor's EXTRA! sermons page . Here are the titles: The Undeniable Mark of a Champion, 2 Corinthians 4 The Worth of Your Work, Colossians 3 The Secrets of a Healthy Home, Ephesians 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:4; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Titus 2:7; 1 Corinthians 14:1; Psalm 127:1 The Incredible Power of Your Words, 2 Samuel 9 The Power of Money, Matthew 6