Guest AuthorAlthough “performance review” may seem like a corporate term, it’s simply a way of tracking growth or decay—matters that concern every organization. Here are some quick tips on church performance reviews, as well as the unfortunate task of employee...
“Is this something we do?” I remember asking when I first heard the word “Lent.” Even though my father is Catholic, I grew up in a Protestant house where Lent, Ash Wednesday, and fasting were as exotic as Rome, the pope, and crucifixes. It wasn’t...
Mary JahnkeMark Twain said, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—’tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.” The same could be said for your church media. The right image can stop the...
What were 2021’s most popular worship songs? What about most popular sermon topics? Find out in the free 2021 Songs & Sermons Report for worship leaders, pastors, and anyone who’s just really curious. (Can’t blame you there.) Popular worship...
The definition of spiritual endurance (or “steadfast endurance”) is this: the power to withstand hardship or stress; especially the inward fortitude necessary. This definition from Logos Bible Software (Bible app and Basic package available free) is...
Every church is full of sufferers. No matter the size of your congregation, someone is probably suffering from illness, relational dysfunction, financial distress, loss, addiction, or any number of hardships. Thankfully, there are worship songs that...
Jennifer GrishamWe were in the middle of a care group gathering at church. People would share some of their deepest struggles, and then, inevitably, a leader in training would derail the conversation with unhelpful questions. It’s not uncommon. We often tap people...
Faithlife StaffWhat makes a great marriage? If you asked several strong couples, you’d probably get several different answers. But if you examined their marriages, you’d find they have elements in common. These three elements of a great marriage are adapted from...
Church volunteers are worth their weight in gold. How many Christmas programs, weeks of VBS, and successful church events have been pulled off only because of God’s grace and volunteers’ elbow grease? Too many to count! Cheerful, willing church...
Ray Deck IIIWhat is a devotional? That’s not easy to answer. A devotional can be many things. It can be a Bible reading plan. It can be a series of meditations. It can be a liturgical exercise. It can be a daily selection of verses, accompanied by a...
Ryan NelsonSometimes volunteers are just going to quit, and there’s nothing you can do to change their minds. People move. They get new jobs or go through transitions that make volunteering more difficult or stressful. But sometimes people quit for...
Adopting a solid ChMS is like switching from math by hand to a calculator or from paper maps to a GPS. Once you do, you don’t go back. It’s easier, quicker, and leaves you more “brain space” to focus on what’s important. Combining a good giving...
For nearly 2,000 years, Christians have recited the Apostles Creed. Why? Why after millennia is it still important . . . still relevant? Here’s a short answer from Ben Myers in The Apostles’ Creed: A Guide to the Ancient Catechism and the new...
The events of the Bible happened in real places, with real people. Today, you can take a virtual journey across the biblical landscape. See the cities where Jesus and the Apostles walked, lived, and changed the world. Logos Bible Software sent...
Who wrote the Apostles’ Creed? Why is it important? Keep reading! This article from the free Lexham Bible Dictionary gives those answers (and many, many more). Apostles’ Creed (Symbolum Apostolorum): A statement of Christian belief that...
What’s the first part of your church’s worship services? Chances are, it’s a call to worship—even if your church doesn’t actually refer to it as a call to worship. What is a call to worship? Simply put, a call to worship is the beginning of a...
The new year always brings with it the anticipation of hope—whatever defined last year can change in this one. New Year’s resolutions usually involve aspirations of self-improvement, like exercising, losing weight, or saving money. But what if...
Many of our Faithlife employees and their families are enjoying a rare White Christmas in the Bellingham area, but unfortunately, most won’t be returning to the office anytime soon. Late on December 27, a pipe burst on the rooftop of the Flatiron...
I’m going to lay all of my cards on the table right here at the beginning: I wholeheartedly, unreservedly, and unashamedly believe that every church should have a plan in place to care for its guests.
“What you say and how you say it aren’t disconnected ideas,” says Micah Ellis, the design director at Faithlife. “They aren’t separable.” Communication is more than the words you choose. Tone, body...
Jess HollandHint: The answer is yes. And a more predictable budget means less stress and more room for ministry. Creating a healthy church budget lets you plan wisely for the future. It lets you know what you can say yes to, what to say no to, and how well...
2021 has been another year we won’t likely forget. The world is still a bit upside-down, COVID is still an issue, and times are uncertain. Yet there is hope! This Christmas, remember that the darkness of death has been banished by the...
Everybody has heard of the 12 Days of Christmas. In fact, we’ve all probably sung about them. But what are the 12 Days of Christmas, and who actually celebrates them? What are the 12 Days of Christmas? For more than 1,400 years, the 12 days of...
Writing even a simple church donation letter can be a struggle. Perhaps that’s because we know how important it is. With one short letter, we want people to understand how they’ve made a difference and look forward to what’s ahead. And perhaps it’s...
Spiritual gifts can either seem like something for the early Church in ages long past . . . or like something so hard to pin down, they’re more to be accepted than understood. But after exploring which spiritual gifts are listed in the Bible (an...
Like lighting Advent candles, Advent readings (for church services or personal devotions) provoke a pause from the everyday. There’s nothing quite like navigating the special weeks of Advent: preparation, anticipation, joy, and incarnation. ...
Matthew BoffeySince Christmas is a key time for church visitors, it’s a good idea to refresh your church website—not a massive overhaul, just a light dusting. Here’s a checklist you can tackle in just 30 minutes to encourage more people to visit your church...
Slide presentations are a primary communication tool in worship services. Adding a photo to a church presentation is a great way to support the message of a slide—from song lyrics to announcements to sermon points.
Every year, Sunday school teachers spend time teaching the virgin birth. But pastors and small group leaders teach it too—and as a small group leader or pastor, you can dive deeper into Mary’s story and its applications. For one, faithfulness to God...
If you’re looking for small group Bible studies that will help you teach Scripture, apply it, and grow closer to the Lord, you’re in the right place. These nine small group Bible and book studies are easy to access, easy to navigate, and easy on the...