The days of the neighbourhood dropping in for Church just because it’s Christmas are over. Here’s how your church can move into the neighbourhood instead.

For centuries, the Advent/Christmas seasons have been a time for folks to automatically come into Church, perhaps forthe only time in a year. However, in this post-Christendom, and some would argue post-Christian age, all bets are off. The days of expectation that people will naturally come into events in our churches simply because it is Christmas, are rapidly dwindling. This is not an urban, suburban, or rural issue. This is not a church size or denominational issue. This is the new normal of every local church in our increasingly secularized age.

It is not a time for despair. In fact, it is . . .

This summer, my wife and I spent some time in the UK. One day, we checked online for churches to visit that Sunday, and found one that seemed very lively. I clicked on the “staff” page. There I found an impressive number of staff, both full and part-time, but I confess I was baffled by [...]

Churches can transform themselves by practicing the ancient art of hospitality
There’s a church near Wycliffe College in Toronto that I like to stroll by every once in a while to see if their “welcome” sign is still up. This is how it reads: “While on church grounds please abide by the following: Women should not [...]

Apparently, it’s just one of those long-standing Christmas traditions. More people will come to services this Christmas than at any other time of year. And the majority of those people will not come back for another 12 months. Is this inevitable? Do we simply shrug and accept it as a sad reality? Or is [...]

If the hospitality of Jesus is appropriated into the very heartbeat of our congregations, the natural outpouring of this will then flow outside of ourselves into our lives in the world. It becomes natural and normal for us to be Kingdom hosts, inviting others to come and see, to come and share in the way of Jesus and the Kingdom. We are able to extend this hospitality to others because we are confident about what it is that we are inviting them into.

Your Church Can Thrive
Percy helps congregations answer tough, critical, and strategic questions about their ministry and mission. How do we serve the member in the pew, the casual visitor, family and friends of the congregants, and the neighbourhood beyond? These are where connections that build healthy congregations are make and nurtured.
This book can be purchased [...]

Good News People

What is evangelism? Why is it important? This book shows how congregations and individuals can join in this essential and joyful ministry. A study guide helps readers to reflect on their own experience and share effectively in the work of evangelism.

This book can be purchased at your local Christian bookseller or online at [...]

Books & Culture reviews Susan Strempek Shea’s journey through America’s churches.  Helpful to anyone wanting a fresh reminder of how Sunday morning worship is experienced by a visitor.  Click here to read more.