By Tom Bandy MissionInsite (and its parent company ACS Technologies) introduced a revised system in February that includes a number of new and useful features. Congregational, District, and Conference users will need to update their passwords and log in anew, but you will find your saved shapes and plots still in place. One goal for …
Bill and I returned from the FXUM National Gathering a week ago, and we’ve returned with renewed energy and inspiration for Fresh Expressions ministry and our work. I have even already connected with a faith-based nonprofit in Anacostia to launch a Fresh Expression that’s been on my heart. I will teach women how to make …
By Tom Bandy Many churches hold leadership retreats in January or February. Aside from prayer and fellowship, these retreats are often about assimilating newly elected council and board members and strategic thinking for the coming year. Updated ComparativeInsite reports are an essential resource for both elements in the agenda. ComparativeInsite date compares current church …
One of the practices in which I engage daily is a review of notes and highlights I’ve made in the various books and articles I’ve read. The other morning, this quote by M. Scott Boren, in his book MissioRelate, popped up: “We spend far more time talking about Jesus than we do encountering him. All …
By Tom Bandy Lifestyle diversity and cultural change have created new challenges and opportunities for worship designers. The challenge is that the basic question people ask themselves on Sunday morning is no longer when to worship or preferred style of worship, but why should we bother to worship at all? Prior to the millennium change, …
Read more “Why Bother? Changing Lifestyle Expectations of Worship”
My children worshipped in a megachurch setting for almost 10 years. My daughter is only 11 so that is most of her life. My children are accustomed to large parking lots, elevated pulpits, flashing lights, large choirs, loud music and charismatic preaching. Since my father-in-ministry’s retirement, we’ve explored worshipping in smaller settings. Our church today …
In my role as the Director of Innovative Evangelism in the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Area, I have the privilege of working with a diverse group of congregations throughout Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. Since we are located in an incredibly diverse region, I do get asked a lot for help with leading evangelism …
Read more “Ethical Evangelism: Sharing Faith with Integrity”
By Tom Bandy Baby Boomers (present age 60 – 78) represent a large portion of the population in Maryland and Delaware, and an even larger portion of UMC participants. However, Baby Boomer church expectations are not all alike. Consider just some of the top boomer lifestyle segments: Baltimore-Washington Peninsula-Delaware Region UMC Region …
Read more “Lifestyle Sensitivity and Preaching to Baby Boomers”
In a world filled with billions of people, it’s easy to feel insignificant, like a single drop in an ocean too vast to impact. But history and storytelling remind us time and again of the profound influence one person can have. As I was flying home from vacation, I had the opportunity to watch the …
There is a touching documentary on Netflix called “Daughters.” It’s about a program that hosts a “Date with Daddy” dance for inmates and their daughters. The program provides coaching for inmates and their families leading up to the dance, and they provide formal attire and barber services for the men so when their daughters see …
Read more “Don’t Let Size Deter You from Planting Fresh Expressions”