Daily Archives: June 10, 2008

October 2-3 — COR Leadership Institute

Reaching new folks for JC will require change:

3 Questions for Consideration:

• Why do people need Jesus Christ?
• Why do people need the church?
• Why does anyone need our particular church?

Many congregations suffer from low self-esteem. Part of our job is to help congregations see what is remarkable about themselves. What’s special about your church? Help them believe in themselves.

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Make sure to plan your sermons in advance.

Five Types of Sermons:

• Fishing Expeditions — addressing the questions or concerns of non-religious individuals.
  • Want to announce those at Candlelight Christmas Eve service which can be a great time to draw visitors.
• Discipleship Sermons — take folks deeper in their faith (usually in Lent)
• Healing Sermons — pastoral counseling from the pulpit. Pastoral care sermons that deal with brokenness. Usually right after Easter, and have connection to fishing.
• Equipping and sending sermons — XN ethics, mission, service — usually happens in the fall
• Institutional development sermons — focused on strengthening the church, including stewardship.

Every year he takes a week as a part of his work to prepare sermons. Invites the congregation to offer suggestions about their needs and what would make it easy to invite their friends.

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