“Beware ministry on the cutting edge; because on the cutting edge you bleed.”  I’m told this piece of advice was circulating more than a decade ago, in the church growth movement, among mega church staff people.  The idea was this — better to play it a bit safe when trying to grow a mega church.  Let someone else experiment.  Use the tried- and-true methods that are working to grow your church — and don’t take too many chances.  This advice may have worked in the 1990’s of fast growing suburban church planting; but in my world, the words take a different twist.

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I think it’s one of the most challenging passages in the New Testament. In Luke 15 Jesus tells a very long tale about two brothers. One is dutiful, attentive, trustworthy, steady and predictable. He’s the older brother. He does and says the right things. He’s the “good” son. The younger brother, in comparison, is impulsive, restless, seeking, selfish, and unpredictable. He’s no good (compared to the older brother)!  (more…)

The recent Gallup poll on the positive perception in the public toward the United Methodist “brand” reminded me of a conversation Tom and I had with a group of planters and the debate we often hear about whether or not to include “United Methodist” in the name of a new congregation or not.

A couple of months ago we had the honor of visiting with 4 successful planters from the North Georgia Annual Conference. The conversation ranged across many topics and one of the things that turned up was the topic of branding.

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Recently I was talking to a friend who recruits leaders for top executive positions. He told me that one of the key questions he asks potential candidates is: What have you done in the past five years to prepare yourself for more effective leadership?

This is a great question and as I talk with my friend and leader of the UMC Path One Initiative, Rev. Dr. Tom Butcher, it relates to this important mission. Where do we find lay and clergy leaders with the skills to start the new churches that we need to reach people who need a personal, life transforming relationship with Jesus Christ?

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