Leading Effectively When You Inherit a Mess and Other Articles Church Leaders Should Read

Here’s a collection of interesting, thought-provoking articles from around the web from recent weeks. For more links, check out our Flipboard magazines: Leadership Network Today, Leadership Network Deep Trends, and  Ideas to Implementation to Impact, where we curate the best in innovative ideas for church leaders.

1. Leading Effectively When You Inherit a Mess (Hbr.org) A 10-year longitudinal study on executive transitions that my organization conducted found that more than 50% of executives who inherit a mess fail within their first 18 months on the job.

2. Evaluate the Connection Potential of Your First Step out of the Auditorium (Markhowelllive.com) Most churches have already adopted, adapted or developed a “first step out of the auditorium” that is regularly promoted and held on a regular basis. It may be Saddleback’s CLASS 101, an adaptation of some other first step class, or a class completely of your own design, but most churches have this strategy in play (and let’s just say, if you don’t yet have a “first…

3. Inside the Church Building of 2017 (Christianitytoday.com) In church architecture, there are important movements that church leaders should consider before embarking on a church building project, a renovation, or a remodel. Here are the top trends…

4. Is $100,000 Middle Class in America (Washingtonpost.com) The majority of Americans — 62 percent — identify as “middle class,” according to a Gallup poll conducted in June. It’s the highest percentage of people feeling that way since 2003.

5. How Black and White Christians Do Discipleship Differently (Christianitytoday.com) Black believers are more likely to position their growth in Christ in the context of community and fellowship, while white Christians take a more individualized approach, according to a study released from Barna Research.

6. Pastors What Could a Sermon Rehearsal Do For You (Philcooke.com) On Thursday afternoon, Pastor Champion comes into the sanctuary with some members of his leadership team, including wife and co-pastor Lori. They fire up a single video camera, and he literally preaches full speed ahead from the pulpit. Aside from the staff leaders, he’s facing an empty sanctuary. He preaches the complete message to the camera, and afterwards the leaders give him their critique.

7. Americans Are Retiring Later, Dying Sooner and Sicker In-Between  (Bloomberg.com) The U.S. retirement age is rising, as the government pushes it higher and workers stay in careers longer. But lifespans aren’t necessarily extending to offer equal time on the beach. Data released last week suggest Americans’ health is declining and millions of middle-age workers face the prospect of shorter, and less active, retirements than their parents enjoyed.

8. College Professors Aren’t Killing Religion (Fivethirtyeight.com) Of all the many criticisms weathered by institutions of higher learning, none has been as difficult to shake as the claim that a college education adversely affects religiosity. Colleges and universities have long been accused of subverting the religious commitments of their students. One of the most prominent early critics of college…

9. 10 Steps to a Better Offering (Churchleaders.com) “Just as we get going in worship, we have to stop and take up the offering!” That was the comment a staff member made a few years back when asked about the offering time at their church. It might not surprise you that with that attitude, giving had declined the year before at this church. That attitude permeates the church today. To increase giving and givers, we must recognize that the offering IS worship!

10. Houses of Worship Do Some Soul Searching As Their Neighborhoods Change (Usatoday.com) First Baptist East Nashville is in a time of transition because the neighborhood has changed around it. Next door is a high rise apartment building and behind the church is Section 8 housing. Larry McCormack/The Tennessean