Musings of Rev. Shane L. Bishop
I am reading a lot of articles, posts and blogs about how churches are reaching more people now than they did when actual humans were sitting in their pews. Our on-line numbers are way up as well. I truly rejoice that so many people are joining us via the internet but we must be carefulContinue reading “Why On-Line Church is Thriving (and how to leverage it forward)”
A world without sports, going to the movies and eating out at restaurants; a government that orders people to stay at home; social distancing vs. social isolation. COVID-19 has changed the world in an instant. Shane and Mike discuss the complications and ways we can find a new normal. Click the link below to listen!Continue reading “Podcast; Navigating Change with Shane and Mike, COVID-19”
I have played competitive softball since I was fourteen years old at every imaginable level. Up to a handful of years ago, I played over a hundred games each season and now in my late fifties, I still play twenty or thirty. For much of that time I was a shortstop. The shortstop isContinue reading “Know What You are Going to Do! (2020 Edition) #UMCrapstorm”
We all know that most churches are in decline. We also know that some churches are growing and some are growing exponentially. There are clearly some things growing churches “get” that declining churches do not. Here are ten things churches need to “get” to have a future. Get strategic A decreasing number ofContinue reading “Does Your Church “Get” It? (10 things churches must “get” to have a future)”
Are you discouraged in your service to the Lord? It happens to all of us. As much as we would like life to move “up and the right,” we will all endure seasons of feeling inadequate, dejected and downright pessimistic. Sometimes we just want to become 10 years old again and “take our ball andContinue reading “7 Thoughts for those Discouraged in Ministry”
For years now, I have been standing in the middle ground of the United Methodist Church. Right-middle to be sure but middle none-the-less. My plan was to batton down the proverbial hatches, keep Fairview Heights Christ Church growing (we have grown for twenty consecutive years) and hope the denominational storm would pass. When asked aboutContinue reading “I am Joining WCA (but I am not in a bad mood about it)”
Vision 2020: What I See Coming We all know that our world not only has changed and is changing but we are beginning to realize that our world is change. You see, change is no longer the obstacle around which the fish swims, it is the water itself. Many years ago, a wise mentor namedContinue reading “Vision 2020: What I See Coming”
The Unanticipated Upside of Capital Campaigns Let me begin my stating my purpose. I am not being compensated by a capital campaign company, nor do I “moonlight” for one. I will make no money off of this article (though I am open to it). Let’s face it; no one makes money writing anymore. I haveContinue reading “The Unanticipated Upside of Capital Campaigns”
The Awesome Rev. Jones (Navigating Change) All churches think they want to grow but the reality is that they don’t want a “catch so great their nets begins to tear.” That is hard on everyone. As God has given Christ Church massive catches over the years, I have discovered four things that are as painfulContinue reading “The Awesome Rev. Jones (Navigating Change)”
The growth curve in weekend worship at Christ Church since 1997 has truly been remarkable. We have moved from just over 200 per weekend to over 2,200 and in doing so, have grown steadily each year. We have never had a 25% jump in attendance (so much for making the 100 Fastest Growing Churches list)Continue reading “How to Keep Your Church Growing (Once You Get it Growing)”
Rev. Shane L. Bishop
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