Ideas

Kingdom Fellowship AME Church: ‘A Heart for the People’

Kingdom Fellowship also carries on the tradition of addressing community needs. “The Black church has always seen itself as providing not just spiritual leadership, but holistic leadership,” Pastor Matthew Watley says.

Embrace Church: Real Transformation

The church’s success is a testament to divine grace working through flawed people, Pastor Adam Weber insists. Embrace’s goal-setting process, called “traction,” has also multiplied its congregation.

CenterPoint Church: A Steady Presence in Long Island

“Our focus is always on reaching the lost and those who are far from God. We just keep honoring God, trying to reach our community, being missional and attractional, and person by person, they keep coming through the doors.” - Pastor Brian McMillan

One Life to Invest: One Life Church

Bret Nicholson: "It's the old thing: If you want to add, develop followers. To multiply, develop leaders. We try to give ownership with leadership.”

Yes to Smartphones in Church?

Expand your audience by encouraging smartphone use during the worship service.

“Look Outside Your Walls”—Lessons From a Mystery Visit

An unchurched person reports on an unannounced visit to a local church. Could it be yours?

Try This: Take Free Christmas Portraits

Idea Starter: Photograph, print and deliver Christmas portraits to the needy.

Ensure Your Church is as Helpful as Possible With a “Concierge”

Idea Starter: Have volunteers specialize in connecting people to resources inside and outside the church.

Host a Sports Clinic

Idea Starter: Partner with local celebrity athletes and coaches to mentor and teach kids the fundamentals of a sport.

A Place to Belong: First Hattiesburg

Jeff Clark: “When we got past losing all the rich people and the community influencers, we exploded in growth. It freed us up to be who we really are: a church for the unchurched.”

Try This: Bag Groceries at Self-Checkout Grocery Stores

Idea Starter: Help shoppers’ grocery store visits go much more smoothly and quickly.