Browsing by Rob Blezard

Take Time to De-Clutter Your Life

Spring is here, and many people put spring cleaning high on their priority list. Along with dusting, washing and vacuuming, why not take the time to sort through your possessions and get rid of the stuff you don’t really need? Lifeway writer Jason Hayes shares his family’s experience. (Photo by Karl Sinfield, used by Creative […]

What Church Records Should You Keep?

Every good organization maintains important records, but what records should a church keep, and for how long? Some church attics are full of old files. This handy guide from Brotherhood Mutual Insurance offers guidance on these issues — and a checklist!  (Photo by Mcfarlandmo, used by Creative Commons license)

Congregation-Based Community Organizing

Amid a time enormous cultural and economic changes, many of our churches struggle for mere survival, rather than how to be a light to a dark world. But a study by Interfaith Funders and the University of New Mexico show that many churches have found purpose, strength, hope and growth through Congregation-Based Community Organizing. This 24-page PDF introduces the concept. (Photo by Mark Parker, used by Creative Commons license)

Five Myths about Creativity

Creativity is not just for a few select “artistic” types, but rather a universal human quality that can help bring your church or ministry to new realms of service and success. This article from ShareFaith debunks five misconceptions about creativity. (Photo by Laffy4k, used by Creative Commons license)

Use the ‘Box Method’ to Prioritize and Get More Done!

Lots of us busy pastors and church leaders become stuck because our “to do” lists grow impossibly long and our workdays seem impossibly short. From Entrepreneur magazine, here’s a simple idea that can help you manage your time, prioritize tasks and improve productivity!  (Photo by Robert van der Steeg, used by Creative Commons license)

Giving More Without Spending More

What simple changes could you make in your own life to have more money available to give to the Lord and His purposes? When you start thinking and praying about how you use your money, it’s amazing what abundance you can find. From Crosswalk.com. (Photo © June Reed – Fotolia.com)

Do You See Them? A New Paradigm of Family

Here’s the church. Here’s the steeple. Open the door and, wait . . . Where are all the people? Unfortunately, churches all across America are closing their doors. “Where are all the people?” The biggest factors are well known, but there is another reason, a hidden and almost secret reason, churches are not growing. That reason is congregations not being fully aware of the kinds of families living in their communities and surrounding their churches. (Article from Circuit Rider) (Photo © Cienpiesnf – Fotolia.com)

Principles and Practices of Year-Round Stewardship

Creating and keeping a dynamic stewardship focus can be a daunting challenge for the church staff, especially if the staff is one bivocational pastor. Where do you start and how do you maintain? The California Southern Baptist Convention has some ideas. ((Photo © a_korn – Fotolia.com)

Is the Internet Hurting Religion?

A new paper draws an intriguing conclusion to a question scholars have wrestled with for several decades: Why are Americans dropping out of church? One reason? They’re logging on to the Internet, Religion News Service reports. What are the implications for your congregation?

10 Reasons for Online Giving

Churches are jumping on the online giving trend in record numbers. Most find it a safe and efficient way to help their members with consistent stewardship. Has your church started offering it yet? From Lifeway.com. (Photo by Jhaymesisviphotography, used by Creative Commons license