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.

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.

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

Promoting God with Business Cards 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.

Personalized Thank You Notes 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

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

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

Today I talk about the Book Just Walk Across the Room By Bill Hybels. It’s a great book, and I’ve already started to put some of the ideas into practice.  Here are some of my favorite points.

The Zone of the Unknown

Christ spoke with prostitutes, tax collectors (who were considered the lowest of the low), and strangers.  If Christ was here today, think of him starting up a conversation with Bernie Madoff.
If we just listen to our christian music, and hang out with out christian friends and attend our christian events, the church will die.

We Need To Be Prepared

Right now I’m getting ready to graduate college for the second time. I will be preparing answers that I’m sure I will be asked in job interviews. In the same way we need to think of the questions that the unchurched are going to ask us and be prepared. Bill points out that many times when we get asked about our faith we unleash an answer that is 45 minutes long and during which we take a total of two breaths.

The Jesus Christ Elevator Pitch

Thomas Edison has to sell the concept of the telephone. Not everyone got the idea. Likewise, there are times we will need to explain the benefits (“sell”) the idea of Christ. Bill says to get this ready in 100 words or less. This is as easy as thinking about your life before knowing Christ and after knowing Christ.  For me this is different ans I was raised in the church from day one. But none the less here is my answer to “Why do you follow Jesus?”

“I was raised in the church, so I’m not sure what life without Christ would be like, but I know that when times are hard, like when my Mom died at an early age, when I went through my divorce, my bankruptcy, and now getting my second degree at age 44, I never would it made it through any of these without the hope that Christ provides. I know God has a plan for me if I stay alert I will see his guidance. I’ve never known life without Christ, and I can’t imagine a life without him. ” (98 words).

Throw a “Matthew Party”

This is a part where you invite your unchurched friends, and your friends from church and you have fun. You get to know them. You understand them before trying to be understood. We just did this at my church. We had a “Remembering the 50′s” night where we listened to old music, had a pie throwing contest (poor pastor), and drank malts, and had french fires.  We had a fair number of people who had never graced our church show up. Using the techniques from the book, I was able to walk across the room and say “Hi, my name is Dave.”

Buy Just Walk Across the Room

You can get the Curriculum Kit for $66 at Amazon.com

You can get the book for $13 at Amazon.com

You can get the audio book at Audible for $17 (get the unabridged version)

This show originates from www.growyourhcurchshow.com

Just Walk Across the Room Reviewed is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Today we interview Debi Hullinger the connections director from The Chapel in Akron, Oh and we great some great tips and resources.

Make Your Guests Feel Welcome

First things, they are not visitors. Visitors are those people that show up unannounced. You prepare for a guest (bake a cake? clean the house? etc).  But you can make them feel special in many ways such as:

1. Give them assigned parking (then you don’t have to guess if they are a visitor or not).
2. Give them a gift (like the book Anchor for the Soul), and have them fill out a card.
3. Have people designated to greet them.
4. Have a PLAN to DO SOMETHING with that card you have them fill out.

That guest to makes a first impression in as little as seven seconds. At that point they decide if they want come back again (before a song has been sung, a sermon has been preached, etc.).

The Attitude of the Chapel

Debi explains at how its nice on Sundays when they “bring the Church inside.” During the week the congregation is the church as they are “out there.” They occasionally hold classes on evangelism using the curriculum “Just Walk Across the Room” ( I just bought this audio book from Audible and its awesome). They have a library (why not pool all your Christian related books so your congregation can have a constant stream of knowledge).

It Was Nice to Worship With You

One thing you can do (regardless of your church size) is to look around you at the end of the service and find someone you don’t know. Go to them and say, “Hi I’m ___ I don’t think I’ve met you before. It was nice worshiping with you. Then take a few minutes and chit chat. Now next week you have a new friend. Find another person you don’t know. Maybe introduce your new friend to the person you met last week.

Music

Green Bananas by the Rev. Jimmie Bratcher

I had the pleasure of meeting Jimmie in California at a podcasting convention. This song is great fun with a great message. We don’t know when Christ is coming back. It might be a year from now, it might be tomorrow, so don’t sell me no green bananas.

Coming In the Future

In future episodes I will be talking about the book Fusion, my Connection Power demo, your website, and more.

Join In the Conversation

Call our toll free number 888-563-3228
Leave a message on this site (comment)
Send an email to dave “at” growyourchurchshow “dot” com (separated to avoid spam).

This show originates from www.growyourchurchshow.com

Mega Church Insights is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Welcome to “episode zero” of the Grow Your Church Show. This is that boring show where you learn a little about the host, what inspired the show, and what to expect. With that in mind:

Dave Jackson

I’m the host. I’m 44 and I attend the Community Baptist Church of Tallmadge. I’m interested in growing my church, so that is one of the reasons I started it. I also think that a podcast can be a great way that Christians can have a “water cooler” to share ideas of that is and is not working at your church.

Same Message – Different Formats

I was at amazon.com and I saw where you can get the movie “Gone with the Wind” in the following formats:

1. The sound track
2. As a VHS tape
3. As a DVD
4. As a special 4 DVD package
5. As a 70th Anniversary edition on Blue Ray.

It’s the same movie, but its in different formats. Why? Because some people like VHS, some people like a DVD. So the company behind Gone with the Wind is delivering it in the formats that people want.

Likewise, one of the thoughts behind the “Grow Your Church” show is that the gospel of Jesus Christ will never change. However, we need to deliver it in formats that people want to consume it. This may be via podcast, via email, via contemporary service, via traditional service. It’s all the same message in different formats.

I hope you help us by sharing what is working (or not working) via email, phone, or by commenting on this blog, or by participating in our forums. If you don’t feel like doing any of those, I ask you to pray for this podcast. My goal is to harness the power of the Internet so we can all work together to further the message of Christ.

- Dave

Same Message – Different Formats is a post from: Grow Your Church Show