Church Growth

For churches to effectively deliver the message of the Gospel in today’s world, they need to have an online presence, says the lead author of the newly released book, Outspoken: Conversations on Church Communication.

To help make his point, Tim Schraeder, who is the co-director of the non-profit Center for Church Communication organization, enlisted 60 Christian media and marketing experts to help author his book.

The Internet and social media has been such a game-changer in the last ten years, that Schraeder, 28, said he wrote the book to make sure churches would not be left behind by their inability to communicate their messages. more >>

Nashville, Tenn. – You could say that Dr. Thom Rainer is an accomplished “baby boomer.” The former banker, turned consultant, turned publishing executive, is the author of 22 books and is seen as a national leader in the Christian movement. He is now the president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, an arm of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Jess Rainer is the youngest of his three sons, a “Millennial” child, and is now making his own mark as a pastor and church leader at Grace Church in Hendersonville, Tenn. The father-son duo has teamed up to help youth leaders figure out ways to reach teens and young adults with their book, The Millennials.

Both Rainers took the stage as the closing speakers at the LifeWay National Youth Workers Conference on Wednesday to share their research and ideas on how to bridge the gap between generations, with the intent on bringing more young people to Christ. more >>

The pastor of a 6,000-member church that meets in a former K-Mart building is asking other churches to help with the $1 million needed to stay on the property he considers the “promised land.”

Living Hope Church Pastor John Bishop, who wrote the book Dangerous Church, which is primarily about the risk-taking culture of his congregation, said he has 40 days to come up with the money needed to supplement the $4 million already collected to buy the building.

Bishop’s campaign includes specifically seeking 1,000 churches to each donate $1,000. more >>

Seattle megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll launched his own website Tuesday, providing a central hub for his observations on theology and today’s culture, which he is already well-known for delivering from the pulpit and on the Internet.

As founding pastor of Mars Hill Church and co-founder in the leadership ministries of the Resurgence and Acts 29 Network, Driscoll has provided an abundance of reading material to various niche groups, including his own church's followers and leaders in other ministries.

Now, those keeping tabs on Driscoll can go to one website and read the pastor’s latest blog posts or link to his content available at his other ministry and partnership web pages. more >>

NASHVILLE – Pete Wilson, the energetic and youthful senior pastor at Cross Point Church in Nashville, encouraged several hundred youth leaders on Monday to exercise the influence God has given them to impact the lives of teens and young students. It was a message he not only could talk about, but also had experienced.

Wilson, who entered the ministry at 18, is starting to be seen as one of the most dynamic and influential pastors in the southeast, maybe even the nation. Often compared to country music recording artist Keith Urban for his style and appearance, the 37-year-old keeps audiences engaged and on the edge of their seats with his genuine, down-to-earth nature.

He spoke at the LifeWay National Youth Workers Conference, where he echoed the conference’s theme of “influence.” more >>

In the 10 years since the 9/11 tragedy, Americans and churches across the United States are more prone to consider partnering with faiths and denominations other than their own for social outreach events, said a Hartford Seminary professor, who is leading a religious study program on interfaith cooperation.

David A. Roozen, director of the Cooperative Congregational Studies Partnership and professor of religion and society, remarked, “Americans' awareness of our country's religious diversity has increased dramatically in the last decade.”

Although the study he helped conduct does not show a dramatic increase in congregations partnering together in the context of a worship service, it does show an increase in interfaith activities such as public ceremonies and panel discussions, Roozen told The Christian Post. more >>