Bill Easums Observations

We’re constantly looking for ways to increase first timers to church as well as encouraging the congregation to invite their friends.  Here are four goodies.

• At the end of worship take a moment to ask the congregation “Let’s take a moment to center our thoughts on who we can invite to church next Sunday.
• When a new family moves into town send them a Fex Ex package including a CD with the pastor welcoming them to the community and offering to help them become acclimated as well as the pastor casting the vision of the church and asking them to come join him on the journey. This video should be less than four minutes long.  Put a post it note on the CD that says, “This video is less than 4 minutes long. I hope you view it” signed first name of pastor.  You can get the names of families moving into your area by using the New Mover Outreach Program  available at  http://www.outreach.com/new-movers.aspx
• When a first time family visits your church send them a Fed Ex package including a coffee cup with the name of the church on it and a CD of the pastor sharing his/her join of worshipping with them Sunday and inviting them back to join the congregation in the exciting journey of……..  Include in the cup a note that says, “This video is only 3 minutes long. I hope you view it.” signed first name.
• Many people are timid when it comes to inviting their friends so why not encourage them to use email to invite their friends and to talk to others about their faith? Most folks have a network of friends, some Christians, some not Christians – yet.

Remember, we are blessed to be a blessing. So go bless your community.

Bill Easum
www.ChurchConsultations.com
easum@aol.com

in 2000 I prepared a presentation for the Society for Church Growth in which I asked what I considered at the time to be some of the key questions of our time.  In looking back over these questions I find they are still the key questions with which Western Christianity is wrestling. You be the Judge if they are.

• What is it about my relationship with Jesus my neighbor and the world can’t live without experiencing?
• How do I share my faith without coming off like a bigot?
• What will Christianity look like when it truly understands that North America is a mission field?
• What is the difference in being missional and doing evangelism?
• What is the difference in a being pastor and being a cross-cultural missionary?
• What does it mean to live in a world where one’s spirituality is more important than one’s credentials?
• Can we imagine doing evangelism that is not carried out within the context of conquest?
• How do leaders lead without control?
• What will authority look like in an out-of-control, anti-institutional, non-religious world?
• What will Christianity look like when it’s no longer defined by books?
•  How do we transition from handing out data that informs to offering an experience that transforms?
• How will we help people grow their spirituality instead of just learning more about the Bible?  
• What will Christianity look like when the church is missional and not institutional?
• How will we “be” the church instead of “go” to church?

 So how are you dealing with these questions? Or are you?

Bill Easum
www.churchconsultations.com
easum@aol.com

My friend, Bil Cornelius, pastor of Bay Area Fellowship in Corpus Christi, has a new book out, I Dare You to Change.  I haven’t read it yet, but I will soon and I’ll let you know the verdict.  But knowing him, I have a feeling it will be really good.

Bill Easum
www.churchconsultations.com
www.billeasum.com
easum@aol.com

Our Fall Interview line up for Coaching for Busy People is now set.  It is an excellent group of world class leaders.

We have already begun the line up with  Larry Osborne, pastor of Northcost Church in Vista, CA who talks about his book Sticky Teams, which is one of the best books I’ve read in 30 years.

In October I  will release my interview with Bob Logan, Founder of Coachnet Global.  Bob has been on the fore front of coaching and church planting. In fact he wrote the book on church planting.

In November, Mark DeYmas pastor of Mosaic of Central Arkansas, will talk about his multi ethnic work in Little Rock and his book Ethnic Blend.  It is Mark’s contention that by 2020 20% of all thriving churches will  be multi ethnic.

December brings Dave Ferguson to the plate. Dave has been a good friend for a long time and if you have followed his work at Community Christian and Exponential you know he is doing his best to fuel a movement. We will discuss his book Exponential, which is another one of the best books I’ve read in 30 years.

These coaching sessions are free. All you have to do is go to our website and click on Coaching for BZ People and register. A wealth of learning is at your finger tips.