Senior Pastors of growing, outreach-focused churches have two things in common: they all travel a lot, and they all hate traveling. Whether it's... Attending a conference Speaking at a church or event Sitting on the board of another organization Taking continuing education courses Going on mission trips Getting the heck out of dodge for vacation or what’s become … [Read more...]
10 Steps to Rebrand Your Church
If you haven’t rebranded your church in the last five years, your ministry is dated. Rebranding is one of the most worthwhile investments you can make in 2018 to increase your effectiveness in reaching people far from God. Rebranding is much more than creating a new logo – it involves identifying who you’re trying to reach, positioning them as the hero in your church’s … [Read more...]
The Lie We Tell Ourselves
This is a picture of Tom Brady as he was preparing to be selected in the 2000 NFL draft. I want you to look closely at this picture. Brady was picked in the 6th round. He was picked #199 by the New England Patriots out of a total of 256 possible picks drafted that year. It was obvious that nobody, including the Patriots, had high expectations for Brady. Then, in what … [Read more...]
Is Islam A Religion Of Peace?
While I don't normally post sermons or videos on this site, I thought this was an event worth sharing. As a part of our sermon series "One Nation Under god(s)" I invited world renown Islamic debater, theologian and Imam Dr. Shabir Ally to discuss whether or not Islam is a religion of peace. Dr. Shabir was both brilliant and kind. I learned as much as our people did. I … [Read more...]
How Your Building Is Killing Your Growth (and what to do about it)
Senior Pastors typically underestimate the impact their building has on their church’s future growth. Building Too Late Church planters believe the lie that they don’t need a building to grow, ignoring the fact that your chances of survival begin to plummet drastically after year six outside of a permanent facility (whether owned or leased). We will always find growing church … [Read more...]
28 Tips, Tricks, Apps and Hacks for Senior Pastors
If you‘d like to get more done in less time, here are a number of my favorite time saving tips, tricks, apps and hacks for Senior Pastors in the trenches. Brian’s Productivity Rules 3 Sentence Email Rule – Except in rare circumstances, I never respond in email with more than 3 sentences. If something warrants a longer response I’ll say, “See me Sunday” or “Bring this up at … [Read more...]
An Open Letter To Missions Organization Leaders (From Senior Pastors Everywhere)
If you need money, do the work. That’s what we need to tell you. Not that you aren’t already overworked, underpaid, and stressed to the hilt. We get that. But that there’s no shortcut around it. You must do the work. You must not give up. You must believe in your work. And you must convince us and bug us relentlessly to put you in our budgets. The missions that get … [Read more...]
The Fatal Mistake of Senior Pastors Who Don’t Like Preaching About Hell
At first glance you’d probably think I’m resistant to change. I don’t drink Starbucks coffee. I’m still not used to women having tattoos. I’m not getting an earring any time soon. And my wife says I still have the same haircut I had when I was in fifth grade. I assume she thinks that’s a bad thing. By all appearances you’d think I’m someone that wants to keep things just the … [Read more...]
Forget Mission, Vision, Values, And Strategy (and all the things “experts” say you need)
I’ll never forget sitting down with a seasoned church planter from another denomination who received my direct mail and offered to take me out to lunch for extra encouragement. I proudly laid before him my mission, vision, values, strategy, and a host of other things people told me I needed at church growth conferences. Mid-way through lunch he smiled and said, “Please … [Read more...]
How To Succeed In Ministry Without Self-Promotion
If you feel like you're stuck in a dead-end ministry situation, where options are limited and doors aren't opening, be patient. Before I turned 40… I purposely turned down almost every speaking request I received. I purposely didn’t publish a book. I purposely didn’t have a blog or podcast. I purposely never went on a radio or TV program. I purposely never preached a … [Read more...]
12 Reasons I’ll Unfollow You On Twitter
I really enjoy connecting with other Senior Pastors on Twitter. But it’s been frustrating as well. Since my interest has been developing genuine connections with people, and not buying or selling something, I’ve found that I’ve had to wade through a lot of, well, excrement, to find like-minded pastors who are sincere, actually use the tool, are willing to collaborate, and take … [Read more...]
Ages 50-75: The Senior Pastor’s Sweet Spot
I believe Senior Pastors don’t hit their ministry “sweet spot” until they’re in their mid-fifties. And if they stay engaged and growing, that sweet spot will last into their mid to late seventies. Anyone who has ever led a church, or been led by a pastor in a church, knows this. Put another way, I believe a Senior Pastor's personal ministry effectiveness, as defined both … [Read more...]
Why You Shouldn’t Join The Missional Church Fad
An issue greatly distracting Senior Pastors right now is the giddy embrace of the “missional church” fad. At CCV we just want to be the church, period. We are definitely attractional. But we are definitely missional. Not because we have “bought into a new paradigm of doing ministry,” but because that’s what the church does (in addition to dozens and dozens of others … [Read more...]
