Here are the top ten reasons LifeWay Research found why people switch churches:

If you have people that are no longer attending your church, here are some potential reasons why:
1. The church was not helping me to develop spiritually. (28%)
2. I did not feel engaged or involved in meaningful church work (20%)
3. Church members were judgmental of others (18%)
4. pastor was not a good preacher (16%)
5. Too many changes (16%)
6. Members seemed hypocritical (15%)
7. Church didn’t seem to be a place where God was at work (14%)
8. Church was run by a clique that discouraged involvement (14%)
9. Pastor was judgmental of others (14%)
10. Pastor seemed hypocritical (13%)

Take a Page From Successful Businesses – Learn From Your “Mistakes”

First of all, realize that you can’t please everybody. But one thing we can do when people leave the church is to find out why. If you can find out why, without applying pressure for the person to stay, you can leave the door open for them to return while gaining insights that might stop a mass exodus. So here are some tips.

1. Do them over the phone or via a form. You are looking for brutal honesty, and people will be more bold if its not eyeball to eyeball. The downside of a form is there is no tone of voice. If you do it over the phone, keep it brief and don’t judge. Make a concerted effort to LISTEN.

2. Don’t Be defensive or judgemental. You’ll only reinforce their reasons for leaving.

3. Pray for them and ask God to bless them on their journey.

Keep in mind that in most cases, people just leave. They vote with their feet in restaurants, retail stores, etc. They are asked if everything we OK, and they reply that things were “fine” and then never come back. If you can get someone to open up, do NOT interrupt them. Listen, and take notes. Take lots and lots of notes. This would be the thing to consider as well before conducting exit interviews. Have people in place with the authority to address any changes that need to be made. There is nothing worse then having someone complain, and then do nothing with that information.

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Top 10 Reasons People Leave Your Church is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Today we have a guest, and not just any guest! Jimmy Pena is the founder of Prayfit and has worked with people like Mario Lopez, LL Cool J, and Tyler Perry to create National Best Selling Books and DVDs. Today we talk about his new DVD called Prayfit: 33-Day Total Body Challenge its a great DVD that has you focusing on delivering your personal best for 33 Days for 33 minutes. Each workout contains challenges that last for 33 seconds. It will make you sweat.

PrayFit 33-Day Total Body Challenge utilizes the Christian faith to inspire those with weight loss goals and is a complete workout and motivational system designed to burn calories, build lean muscle and bolster your faith, helping to reshape your entire body in 33 minutes a day for 33 days.  Ideal for any fitness level, the workout includes a highly efficient 33-minute workout that combines cardio, strength and core moves for total body results in a limited amount of time, requiring no extra equipment.  The program works because it demands progression and challenges you to give your best effort. The key is to do more today than you did yesterday.  As Jimmy says, “Yesterday’s best is today’s quest.”  To encourage you to stay the course, Jimmy includes faith-based motivation throughout the workout and created weekly “PrayFit Minute” devotionals to inspire you to improve your life by honoring the one who made you.

We also talk about his book Prayfit: Your Guide to A Healthy Body and A Stronger Faith in 28 Days which churches are now using in combination with the DVD to create study groups, and bring the talk of taking care of the gift that is your body back into the church.

We answer questions such as “If I’m doing both, should I do cardio or strength training first?”

For daily inspiration, forums, nutrition, newsletters, swag, as well as videos check out www.prayfit.com

Download the DVD  in iTunes

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In Jesus Name We Train – Jimmy Pena from PrayFit is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

According the book, “Get Healthy for Heaven’s Sake, “According to a recent study, Christians are more obese than non-Christians, and Baptists are in the lead. Morrone, Lisa (2011-04-01). Get Healthy, for Heaven’s Sake (p. 63). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.  Instead of singing they will know we are Christians by our Love, it will be they will know we are Christians by our love of FOOD. With everyone jumping on the “New Year’s Resolution” why not steer your church into a fitness awareness program. There are plenty of tools to help.

I just watched the DVD called Prayfit: 33-Day Total Body Challenge. This goes along with a few books inculding: Prayfit: Your Guide to A Healthy Body and A Stronger Faith in 28 Days and Prayfit FamilyThis is the mastermind of Jimmy Pena. At PrayFit, they believe that the Lord has mandated a dedication to our health. In a nation gone mad with super-sized meal deals, even the most devout believers tend to over-indulge, as evidenced by the church’s ever-widening collective waistline. It’s not just detrimental to your wardrobe – each passing day of inactivity or nutritional indiscretion is a missed opportunity at living a longer, healthier, more fruitful life.

Another great plan comes form Amy and Phil Parham (You might remember them from the biggest loser). Their book is The 90-Day Fitness Challenge there is alss a The 90-Day Fitness Challenge DVD. Phil and Amy Parham lost over 256 pounds on NBC’s Biggest Loser television show’s sixth season in 2008. It was a dark time in the life of this couple whose autistic son Rhett’s special needs kept them on high alert 24/7 and Phil’s mortgage broker business had failed a few years earlier. The couple discusses how they coped with these life stresses…by eating. Their story of disappointment and defeat could be told by any number of families across the United States, but their courage and resilience at overcoming these hefty challenges is remarkably and singularly inspiring.

If you want to have a book club I HIGHLY  recommend the book Get Healthy, for Heaven’s Sake: 7 Steps to Living Strong, Loving God, and Serving Others

Overweight, slouched, deconditioned, and very tired. This describes millions of American Christians—men and women who are frustrated in their desire to serve God and their families because their bodies and minds simply aren’t up to the task.

Health author Lisa Morrone gives readers an overall life plan for restoring their energy and ability and staying strong in their usefulness throughout their life span. Not a short-term repair job—not a rigid, inflexible plan—this resource lays out balanced, practical advice in seven areas

Another book you may want to check out is Reshaping It All: Motivation for Physical and Spiritual Fitness Candace Cameron Bure first became known to millions as a co-star on the hit ABC television series Full House. Today, like her brother Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains, Fireproof), she is the rare Hollywood actor who is outspoken about her Christian faith and how it helps overcome certain obstacles.

Bure’s healthy lifestyle has been featured in US Weekly and People magazines as well as national talk shows including The View and NBC’s Today. In Reshaping It All, she continues the story, inspiring women to embrace a healthier lifestyle by moving faith to the forefront, making wise choices, and finding their worth in the eyes of God. Candace shares a candid account of her struggle with food and ultimately her healthy outlook on weight despite the toothpick-thin expectations of Hollywood.

More than a testimony, here is a motivational tool that will put readers on the right track and keep them there. In addition to practical advice, Candace offers a biblical perspective on appetite and self control that provides encouragement to women, guiding them toward freedom.

Includes 16-page black and white photo insert

One popular book I see a lot is The Maker’s Diet: The 40-day health experience that will change your life forever, which has additional resources tied to it that include: ,The Maker’s Diet for Weight Loss: 16-week strategy for burning fat, cleansing toxins, and living a healthier life!, Makers Diet Shopper’s Guide: Meal plans for 40 days – Shopping lists – Recipes,,Makers Diet Daily Reminders: Here are 365 daily reminders to encourage you to live in better health for the rest of your life. and Maker’s Diet Audio Experience

Set to chart-topping inspirational gospel music, these workouts combine the power of your faith with your desire to lose weight and get fit. It’s a party with a purpose, and you’re invited.

Each Body Gospel begins with a prayer, then gets you moving to joyful gospel music. This comprehensive at-home program combines faith, fitness, and nutrition to enhance your faith and transform your health. Soon, you’ll see and feel inspiring results. It inlucdes 6 DVDs including:

Body Revival:
This calorie-blasting cardio workout lifts your spirit, slims your body, and leaves you feeling energized all day long.

Core Revelation:
Lose those love handles and define your abs while slimming and trimming your thighs and backside.
Stretch in the Spirit:
Increase your flexibility, reduce stress, and breathe new life into your healthy temple

Power & Praise:
An interval-training workout with Donna’s specially designed resistance bands to help tone and define your muscles while you burn fat.

Gospel Glory:
An advanced body-slimming cardio workout to help shrink your hips and thighs, and flatten your tummy

Strength & Spirit:
Alternates between strength and cardio training for maximum fat and calorie burning. Sculpt and tone your body from head to toe.

It also includes a nutritional guide, strength bands, and online tools, t-shirts and more
Just 2 monthly payments of $39.95. Plus… a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. More information

If you are looking to make it a competition check out these sites:

Weight Loss Wars

Earndit.com (You need something electronic like a Fitbit to track your changes).

Logical Weight Loss “Biggest Loser” Spreadhseet.

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Christians Are Fatter Than Non- Church Goers is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Today I talk about YouVersion a free bible app, that does so much more.

Here is what the event for this podcast looks like:

Free Christian Book

We also listen to a snippet of Organic Outreach for Ordinary People: Sharing Good News Naturally. Here is the description from Amazon.com

“Fulfill One of Your Deepest Longings Every follower of Jesus has a sincere desire to share God’s love with others. We want to tell friends and family about who Jesus is, what he means to us, and all he has done for them. Deep in our hearts we have a burning passion to pass on the good news we have received. But, where do we start? We want to share our faith, but we don’t want it to feel awkward, uncomfortable, or unnatural … for them or for us! Organic Outreach for Ordinary People will help you shape a personal approach to passing on the good news of Jesus in natural ways. This is not a system or a program. It’s a collection of biblical practices that you can incorporate into your life starting today. You can begin right where God has placed you. You can share the love and message of Jesus in a way that fits exactly how God has wired you. In this practical and easy-to-read book, Kevin Harney offers the tools needed to reach out with God’s love in organic ways. In these pages you will discover that sharing the good news of Jesus can be as natural as talking about your favorite sports team or telling a friend about a wonderful new restaurant. On the golf course, over coffee, while taking a walk—anywhere and everywhere—become a bearer of grace. Share the amazing love of God. Tell the life-changing story of Jesus. Discover ordinary ways to communicate God’s love and the message of salvation—naturally.”

You can get this audio book (read by the Author) for free by going to audibletrial.com/dave

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Make Your Church Service Interactive is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Today I comment on an article from Outrreach Magazine where they polled 100 Pastors.

They talk about creating leaders.

Talk about when to talk about Politics.

Favorite Words of Advice.

If I Could Do One Thing Differently is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Its Fall and as I sit in the stands of my local football game (My Step Son is in the Band) freezing I would LOVE if someone offered to buy me a hot chocolate. You could so this, and then hand the warm cup to the person with a small pamphlet for their church. Your actions would stand out, and the person should be thinking, “What’s up with this person?” The answer shuold be obvious: I’m a Christian. Here are some other fall activities:

1. Send teams of four to rake leaves.

2. Get some ladders and clean the gutters. Its a lot of work, but deeply apprecaited.

Branded: Sharing Jesus with a Consumer Culture

The church spends $1.5 million for every one new follower of Jesus. Apple sells 26 iPads every minute. What is it that makes Apple so exciting and Jesus so boring? What is it that compels someone to bring their iPod everywhere and their Bible nowhere? In a word: marketing. Jesus is a life-changing product with lousy salespeople – people who are intimidated and embarrassed by the word “evangelism” and who show more enthusiasm for their gadgets than their God. What would life look like if we could market our faith like Nike and Apple market their products – sharing relationally, from person to person?

Using examples from these and other successful companies, author Tim Sinclair challenges Christians to throw out their casual attitudes toward faith and sign on for a marketing campaign for the Savior.

Written with the wit and wisdom of an experienced marketer, Branded peels away the feelings of fear and explains how to share faith in ways that are honest, authentic, and, most importantly, effective

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Fall Connections and Branded: Sharing Jesus with a Consumer Culture is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Today we review an article from Outreach magazine. They discuss how the Churches that are growing are:

1. Building Leaders

2. Going into the Community

3. Leading by Example

4. Understanding their congregations.

This comes from the Outreach Magazine Special issue “100 Largest and Fastest-Growing Churches in America.”

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Grow a Church of Any Size is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

If you’ve listened to this podcast you know I’m a big Fan of Host Gator. Well they are offering some “Black Friday Offers”

First off all to anyone on the email list this is a bit of a rerun and I apologize.

Without further ado, here is the Black Friday 2010 Special Offer:

They’re offering 50% OFF EVERYTHING From 12:00AM CST to 5AM CST

They’re offering 80% OFF EVERYTHING From 5AM to 9AM CST WHILE SUPPLIES LAST (first come, first receive; so definitely don’t miss out!)

From 9AM to 11:59PM CST OR after 80% OFF accounts have sold out, They will continue to offer 50% OFF EVERYTHING

This applies to ALL Accounts and ALL Term Lengths. You have the opportunity to receive up to 80% off of up to 3 years worth of Hosting! That would come out to $35.64 for 3 FULL YEARS!

That includes Shared Hosting, Reseller Hosting, VPS Hosting AND even Dedicated Servers! Never before have we allowed the promotion on EVERYTHING including reseller, vps and dedicated servers!

This will apply to the client’s first invoice (first term length they sign up for whether that be 1 month or for 3 years).

This promotion gives our customers our award winning hosting for as little as:

Shared Hosting: $4.95/month AS LOW AS $0.99/month

Reseller Hosting: $24.95/month AS LOW AS $4.99/month

VPS Hosting: $19.95/month AS LOW AS $3.99 First Month

Dedicated Servers: $174/month AS LOW AS $34.80 First Month

As you can see, this is an absolutely CRAZY DEAL and you have an opportunity to make a LOT OF MONEY promoting our Black Friday 2010 Offer!

For more information Check out Host Gator’s Website

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Host Your Churches Website for .99 a Month is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

One of the things you need to ask yourself as you look at your church family is “what do we have?” What talents are available in my congregation. As its not officially the holiday season, do you have a photographer? Why not offer free holiday pictures for Christmas Cards. When they show up for the picture, off to email the pictures to them (where they can opt in for future updates about your church – completely optional) or you can simply burn them to a CD and let them take the CD with them. With the low price of CDs this costs the church almost nothing and can be a great ice breaker. Now when everyone asks, “where did you have these photos taken they can answer the name of your church.” The photographer may pick up some extra business.

Free book The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask available on the Kindle for free for the next 10 days. If you have people who are afraid that they me “stumped” by someone this is a great read. I mentioned this book in a previous blog post.

Lastly, don’t let fear stop you from reaching out. You may take precaution, but do not fear stop you in your tracks.

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Holiday Pictures is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

A group of teenagers ascended on Vineland in NJ to give out Free Hugs.

All they did was make some signs that read “free hugs” and went into the neighborhood. There wasn’t any street preaching, no bible banging, just hugs. They identified themselves as Christians, but the goal was to show God’s love for anyone who needed a hug.

Outreach doesn’t always need lots of planning, props, and promotion. Sometimes it can be as simple as a hug (and who doesn’t want a hug?).

If you’re not sure what to do? The bile says in 1st Corinthians that there are three items left. Faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love. Follow what Jesus is saying (through Paul). Lead with something that demonstrates our Christian Love.

This idea is from an old Outreach Magazine article.

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Free Hugs – Simple and Effective is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Outreach Vs Evangelism

I was reading a great article in Outreach magazine. It was talking about how people use the words outreach and evangelism interchangeably. On this podcast I’ve been asking for your ideas on what you do to evangelize. Looking back, what I’ve been doing is asking for your outreach ideas.

Outreach is the Wii bowling league. Evangelism is not the prayer you do before you get started. It’s not the “movie night” you host at your church, or the regular Bible study on Wednesday night. Those actions are outreach. They are vehicles for you to bring people into your church (or other location) so they can meet you, and get to know you. You can start to build relationships through outreach. But outreach is not enough. You can feel good about paying for the person’s meal behind you in the drive through, but it’s not evangelism. It is a way to find something in common with people, and gently lead them to Christ.

Some define evangelism as “Joyfully sharing the good news of the sovereign love of God, and calling people to repentance, to personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, to active membership in the church, and to obedient service in the world.”

Outreach is a vital part of evangelism. We need to develop friends who are unchurched. We need to let them see that Christians are not as whacky as we are depicted on television. Outreach is a great tool for this, and it lays the groundwork for evangelism.

Without outreach, evangelism is like going up to a stranger and asking for their hand in marriage (before asking them on a date). It catches people off guard. It’s abrupt and assertive. On the other hand if you found someone you really like, you get along great, and you date for five years all of your friends will start to bug you and ask, “When are you going to get married (commitment)?. We worry about “forcing our beliefs” on someone, and end up doing outreach, outreach, outreach. It’s time to pop the question, “So what is your relationship with Jesus like?,” or “How do you feel about God?”

It’s tough pointing out to people that they are sinners and in need forgiveness. It might make them feel bad, and Satan will convince us to sit back and lay low. There is a difference between outreach and evangelism, and in the same way it makes no since to plant a garden and not harvest it, it makes no sense to perform outreach without evangelism.

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Outreach Vs Evangelism is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Today I talk about some of the items that I’ve already blogged about. To be notifed when a new post comes out sign up for the newsletter (over on the left).

Can you imagine if we all write down what we’ve tried to get in touch with people outside of your church? Write odwn both the ones that worked and didn’t work, can you imagine how the people that come after us would benefit from such a list? People would read an idea and take them and tweak them into better ideas, more effective ideas, and avoid the ones that didn’t work so well. Can you imagine?

I’m already committing my 2010 to making this site better, and making sure its updated on a regular basis. I hope you will work with me to spread the word of Jesus. You can call in your comments at 888-563-3228, email me dave “at” growyourchurch show “dot” com (spelled out to avoid spam), or just leave a comment on the blog.

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A Huge List of Evangelism Ideas is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

So many times we think we have to memorize a bunch of scriptures to be able to talk about God with people. We contemplate the worst case scenarios and we get scared about sharing our faith. Here is something you should ponder.

Answer this question:

What is your favorite Dessert?

(answer out loud or in your head, but answer the question).

Why?

If I was to answer this question I would say “Mitchell’s home made strawberry ice cream in Lakewood Ohio. There are actual chunks of strawberry in it, is so sweet and yummy. It doesn’t taste artificial at all, and ….(you get the picture)

Yet when we go to talk about God with people we meet, we get scared.  We don’t get worried about people asking for the recipe of our favorite dessert, but we get worried that we have to have the bible memorized before we can speak about our faith.

God Gets Bigger

As you get older, things from the past get smaller (like your high school or elementary school). However, as we get older and bigger God gets bigger as we have a better understanding of our faith. His mercy is so huge we can’t comprehend. Yet it is this awesome gift that we can’t find words to tell our friends.

What if you have more passion for ice cream than Christ? Then read the word, pray, and attend church on a regular basis. You will begin to see the world through his eyes, and your walk will become closer with God. Like your best friend, the more time you spend with them the better you understand each other, and develop a closer bond.

You didn’t have your favorite dessert memorized, and you don’t have to have the bible memorized to tell your friends about Christ.

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Whats Your Favorite Dessert? is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

According to an article in Christianity Today 80 to 85 percent of people looking for a new church find it through a website. With this in mind you NEED a website. If you do not have a website please contact me as I will counsel you for free on how you can get your own website for about 10 bucks a month.

Now that you have a website, and you know people will be going their first, why not direct people their first by using business cards that in a non aggressive fashion point people to your website, which points people to your church, which points them to Christ?

Business cards are fairly inexpensive, and if you buy enough for your congregation to hand out they are very inexpensive (pennies a piece). Right now PSPrint has their business cards 50% off. (offer expires soon).

To find out more about promoting with business cards, check out the book from Reno Lovinson “Turn your business card into business.”

What is God’s Take on Money?

With the economy in such bad shape, people are watching every penny. If you are looking for a way to reach out to your community this may be a topic that really gets their attention. I did a small amount of research and found two companies that help promote financial freedom using principles in the bible.

Dave Ramsey

Dave Ramsey has been helping people with their finances since 1988. He has been a millionaire twice. I just got done listening to the “Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey, and this is a step by step approach to helping you get out of debt, and start saving money. Dave backs up his strategies with scripture references. One of his earlier books “Financial Peace Revisited” covers the attitude change that needs to take place to truly follow Gods principles. You can bring Dave’s “Financial Peace University” right to your church.  The leadership kit is around $300.  Each family member that attends need to buy the class membership for around $93 You can find out more at www.daveramsey.com

Crown Industries

Crown has been helping people with their finances for over 30 years. In fact in the book “Financial Peace” Dave Ramsey quotes Larry Burkett who was one of the founders of Crown Industries.  Crown Suggests that you start with their “Road to financial freedom.”  If you want to host this seminar at your church the kit is around $25. This kit will walk you through implementing the seminar at your church. You can order the materials for your church (a 4 week class) for $2.50 ea. Obviously ordering one copy and copying it would be stealing, and at $2.50 for each person, I found this to be absolutely reasonable.

The good news about crow is they have TONS of information. The bad news is they have tons of information (and it may be hard to find what you want). A call to their office had me listening to someone tell me to go back to their website.
UPDATE: I contacted my local representative and he was very, VERY helpful, and it turns out there are local meeting for leaders and for people looking to launch any of the many ministries crown offers.

You can find out more at www.crown.org

Chicken or the Egg?

I’m not sure who came up with the plan first, but if you compare Dave Ramsey’s “Total Money Make Over” to Crown’s “Money Map” you will see they are almost identical (steps one, save $1000, step two pay off your debt).  If you want to investigate this yourself the Money Map is free (where Dave’s version has a monthly fee).  In general, I feel crown is more of a ministry that talks about money management. Dave Ramsey is focused on money management who happens to be a Christian. Both have great information.

T-shirt of the Week

One of the things I really liked about my honeymoon in Tennessee is I didn’t feel like a fish out of water. People were openly Christian, and I could see where sharing your faith would be easier in a more Christian environment.  So many times we feel like we are the only Christians on the planet. This is why I urge people to share their faith. Wear it on your body,  wear it on your car.  If we all don’t feel so out numbered we may have the confidence to be more open about our faith. This may be something as simple as handing someone a business card that points them at our church. The bottom line is we need to constantly point people to Christ in any way we can.  I saw a very cool static sticker that turns your break lights into a Jesus sign.

Music

Today’s music comes from Michael Jason Frost who is a great singer from Tennessee the song ‘God’s gonna give you a testimony” from the album “Sing Like it’s the last time”

You can find him at www.michaeljasonfrost.com

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Promoting God with Business Cards is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Today we talk with a Daniel Johnson Jr who shares some of his insights into using Facebook and Twitter with your church.

What the Heck is Twitter?

People answer this by saying “a micro blogging platform.” If we were to say this in English, you can use it as your own press release system, and you can only release very short items (144 characters).  The people who will receive your releases (called “tweets”) have to choose to “follow” you.  With this in mind it is a way for people of the congregation to update each other on what is going on in their life and stay in touch with each other. Here are some examples:

“Worship service starts in an hour”

“Megan had her child, it’s a boy, Ethan Bradley, mother and baby are fine.”

“This weeks sermon is “the most important thing for kids” ”

You can sign up for twitter at www.twitter.com

FaceBook

Facebook is a free website that allows you to make friends and when people update their status, their friends can see what is going on. You can share pictures, and much more. You can sign up at facebook at www.facebook.com

Time Shifting is the Key

One of the keys to both Face Book and Twitter is the ability to “time shift” your content. Think of this like an answering machine. When you leave a message for someone the person checks the message whenever they can get to it.  So I can leave a “tweet” on twitter, or post an update on Face Book and people can catch those items whenever they want to.

The best thing about twitter and face book is they are both free.

Reaching a Younger Audience

If you are trying to reach that younger audience, using twitter and facebook may make your church look “cool” and may entice people to stop in and see what’s going on.

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Facebook, Twitter, and Your Church is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Wii Bowling League For Your Church

Today we get some email from a listener with some tips on a Wii Bowling League for your church.  These include:

1. Don’t bother personalizing the Wii characters.

2. You need at least two systems to have a league.

3. It takes around 4 hours with two lanes

4. Room for flexibility depending on how many games you bowl.

5. If needed you can charge to participate.

Personalize Your Thank You Notes

Technology is a great thing, and yes we can print directly on envelopes to send the through mail. This is fine in soe cases, but if you are sending a thank you note to a visitor you should hand write the enveloope (and if you have the handwriting the note as well). By taking the time (and effort) to hand write a note it shows its personalized, it’s not a form letter, and you took the time and effort to say thank you. We want to create a personalized experience for our guests so they can start a personalized experience with Christ.

T-shirt Of the Week is “Jesus – It’s just that Easy” from Kerusso. Show your faith to everyone around you.

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Personalized Thank You Notes is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Today we are talking about an article from Tony Morgan where he points out 10 things that Churches do on their website that make you NOT want to visit your church. You can read the list at his blog then I saw at faithhighway.com someone added an additional 5 mistakes.

You might be thinking, “My church doesn’t even have a website.” Well you can fix this by using WordPress and hosting it at Cooler Websites for a few bucks a month. You can also learn about wordpress by using a site known as Marketing Musician. While this site doesn’t focus on building a church website, you can learn the basics for $10 a month (and you can probably learn all you need in one month and cancel your subscription).

Other sites mentioned

School of Podcasting – www.schoolofpodcasting.com

MUSIC

Jon Bauer from www.jon-bauer.com

This show originates from www.growyourchurchshow.com

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Top Mistakes Churches Make On Their Website is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

I just received my copy of Outreach Magazine’s “The Outreach 100” that spotlights the 100 largest and 100 fastest growing churches. This is some great information. You get this issue when you subscribe to the magazine or your can purchase it separately.

There is a great story “Starter Ideas for any church of any size” that really shows me ways we can serve our community and raise awareness. Items such as:

Hand out popcorn bags at the local video store that have your church’s information on it.

Have the youth replace the batteries in the smoke detectors in the neighborhood (batteries supplied by the congregation).

Go fishing (great idea for the older to mentor the younger)

Take food the the local firehouse, police stations and trash collectors around thanksgiving.

I had an idea of having a Wii Bowling League (another great activity that can unite older and younger people).

Offer marriage seminars (I recommend Love and Respect ).

These are fun low pressure ways to meet people in your neighborhood, as well as get to know your members better.  You can subscribe at www.outreachmagazine.com

Music

Steven S Billings “T.G.I.F. Thank God I’m Free

For more information go to http://www.myspace.com/stevensbillings

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Ideas For Any Church Any Size is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

I got some great stats from the lovely people at kerusso.com who basically make the coolest t-shirts on the planet. They polled some of their customer and here is what they found.

98 Percent of those people wearing a christian t-shirt wanted their shirt to be noticed by unbelievers.

56.8 percent of the people wearing a shirt actually had an unbeliever ask about their shirt.

7.4 percent of the unbelievers made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their savior immediately from the faith-apparel discussion with a Christian T-shirt wearer

Starting your own T-shirt ministry is easy, and a fun way to break the ice with people. Plus I know as I wear mine,  I act different as I’m now representing Christ. You don’t want to give giving someone the bird and swearing out the window in a “Faith Book” t-shirt.

Impressions magazine said the average T-shirt may be read as many as 3,000 times before it’s thrown away.  You can find Kerusso t-shirts in our Amazon Store.

Starting Stats From “How To Share Your Faith” book.

I found a GREAT book called “How To Share Your Faith.” Its a quick read, and just so down to earth I loved it. It was filled with great examples. great references, and it really has me thinking, and preparing myself to start sharing my faith.

It did have one very shocking statistic. What percentage of CHRISTIANS have lead another person to Christ. Want to take a guess?

95% – nope

75% – still to high

50% – I’m sorry you’ve over-bid

35% – Sadly you’re still to high.

15% – Close, but not there.

5% of Christians have lead another person to Christ.

So if you think “Well isn’t that what the preacher is for?” the answer is WRONG!. That’s what YOU are for. Christ called us all to go out and preach the gospel. Now before we get too depressed at the statistic. Let’s look at it another way.

Look at all the room for improvement! You can do it.

Music

Jerimae Yoder – Evidence (more music from Jerimae)

Start a T-Shirt Ministry is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Today I talk about an easy, inexpensive way to create an ice breaker. Take an address label and use your printer to have it say “I went to Church Today” (much like the “I voted today” stickers). This may be just the ice breaker to have someone ask, “What church do you go to?

Then be ready to provide a brief description of your church and then see if they ask for more information.

This was inspired by the Newsweek Article Stating the end of Christian America read full story. I think if we could all identify ourselves, we wouldn’t feel so alone. The media definitely wants us to feel like “outsiders” and to feel like we are an “idea” that has simply come and passed.

Bible Study Podcast

My friend Chris Christensen does the The Bible Study Podcast. The bible study podcast is just that. It is a podcast about what the bible says. It is not a political platform so if you are expecting a political theme, this is not the podcast for you. Yes, it is a Christian podcast. For more information go to http://thebiblestudypodcast.com

Music From Karmyn Tyler “Amazing Grace”

Karmyn Tyler is not only beautiful on the outside, but a tremendous person on the inside. I had the pleasure when my Fiance and I were in California a few years ago to attend the Tonight Show with Karmyn and some good friends.  Her voice is just amazing.

For more information about Karmyn, go to www.karmyntyler.com

photo by Michael D'Ambrosia

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I Went To Church Today is a post from: Grow Your Church Show