Category Archives: Leadership

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, 1

Posted on December 31, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

Robert Fritz says Creative Tension is produced by the gap between a strongly held vision and a willingness to tell the truth about the present. Like many pastors, I have a strong vision to reach people for Christ: to help … Continue reading →

Posted in church growth, Five Practices, Leadership, Ministry, United Methodism | 2 Comments

Ordinary Christian Behavior?

Posted on November 1, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

In one of my previous ministry settings our youth group was primarily made up of kids with no previous church connection. They had enthusiasm. They were hungry to know God. They passionately desired their friends to know Jesus. But they … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Ministry, Prayer, Youth Ministry | 1 Comment

Keeping Violence Safe

Posted on October 31, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

A few weeks ago the New York Times ran a story on churches using violent video games to attract youth. Now there’s a story out of Alabama about a lock in sponsored by a First United Methodist Church featuring games … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Ministry, Violence, Youth Ministry | Leave a comment

Thoughts on Preaching

Posted on October 25, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

When I think of preaching, I find the 3 categories of classical rhetoric useful. 1. Ethos – This is our character. People listen to us when they know us to be people of character. Character refers not only to our … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelism, Leadership, Ministry | Leave a comment

Inexplicable

Posted on October 23, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

At LeadershipJournal.net Steve Gaines writes: I am convinced that one of the reasons so many people are turned off from the idea of church these days is that it is all so explainable. Too many churches are growing simply because … Continue reading →

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Slippery Jesus

Posted on October 19, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

We who delve into the bible and lead congregations… Yes, it appears possible to do the one and not the other: One can delve into the bible purely for personal benefit, or one can lead congregations and ignore the bible. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, church growth, Jesus, Leadership, Ministry, United Methodism | 5 Comments

Beware Doctors in Church

Posted on August 31, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

There is a common assumption that those who have earned a doctoral degree are smarter than those who haven’t. This assumption is most unfortunate when it is held by those of us who have earned doctorates. As they exist today, … Continue reading →

Posted in church growth, Education, Higher Education, Leadership, Local church | Leave a comment

Lion Chaser Manifesto

Posted on August 22, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

I first heard of Mark Batterson from the Granger guys (Tim Stevens & Tony Morgan), and visited his church last year when I was in town for the AAR. It looks like a great thing is happening there – though … Continue reading →

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Leadership Myths

Posted on August 14, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

Here’s my article from this week’s church newsletter: Charge Conference comes around every year (ours is October 7). One of the duties of this meeting is to select leaders for the coming year. Here are some of the confusions I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Local church, Ministry | 1 Comment

Innovative Churches

Posted on August 12, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

Tony Morgan asks what makes a church innovative. My response: The most innovative churches (or organizations) are those that employ the most discontinuous methods/practices/strategies to fulfill their mission. Therefore, some of the churches we judge “innovative” are simply so in … Continue reading →

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