Simply Strategic Growth: Attracting a Crowd to Your Church

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Dec 7, 2005 in Church | 0 comments

Simply Strategic Growth: Attracting a Crowd to Your Church is another book I’m getting. I’ll start off by saying, this book makes me a little nervous but I’m curious to see what it says. I’ll hope to have a review for you all when I complete it. Some of their recommendations include:
* Address specific needs. Like marriages, raising families, money, fulfillment, etc.
* Make children a priority. Granger is well known for their incredible children’s ministry.
* Raise the energy level of worship.
* Give people hope. Grace, not condemnation. People should leave challenged, but encouraged.
* Offer multiple services regardless of how full your church is.

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire : What Happens When God's Spirit Invades the Hearts of His People

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Dec 7, 2005 in Church | 1 comment

Here is a book I’m planning on reading. As we begin this next year at Kaleo, prayer is our only answer for the vision we feel God has for us. I’ve had a couple people recommend this book. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire : What Happens When God’s Spirit Invades the Hearts of His People

Twenty-five years ago, Cymbala, worn out from pastoring two congregations, devoted himself solely to the dwindling band of worshipers at ramshackle Brooklyn Tabernacle. Today, the old building has been replaced, there are 6,000 worshipers at four Sunday services, the church choir wins Grammies and sings for Billy Graham’s crusades, and Cymbala is asked to speak all over the world about how he did it. Although he believes he didn’t do it–God did–Cymbala does have a secret: the church is first and foremost a house of prayer, he says, a place where souls can call on God. Accordingly, Cymbala established Tuesday-night prayer meeting as the most important church function (later, church members began a “Prayer Band” to intercede round the clock for all and sundry). With professional Christian writer Merrill’s help, Cymbala tells not his church’s story as much as the stories of individual souls whose saving illustrates the truth of his testimony that God responds to prayer made in repentance and faith. Cymbala considers his work part of the revivalist tradition of nondenominational Christian evangelism, and he cites 300 years’ worth of the great revivals and revivalists often, adding greater interest to a book that voices some of the oldest Christian wisdom with the vivid immediacy of telling tomorrow’s news.

Any other recommendations of books to grow faith and focus on prayer in the ministry?

Holy Spirit Catholic Church

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Dec 7, 2005 in Church Technology, Sheep&Goats | 0 comments

“[When I'm taking the Eucharist], I’m consuming Jesus’ body, if you view it with eyes of faith,” said Eileen Carton, a volunteer at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. “How else can you get that close to God? When I take Eucharist, if I lack faith, I am given faith. If I am burdened, Jesus takes my burden.” Carton said she’s been enamored with communion since she was seven years old. “As a Japanese-American, I was raised Buddhist, but when a friend took me to Mass with her family, I saw the holiness and beauty of the Mass. I was taken aback by seeing Jesus at the consecration. When I saw this, Jesus spoke to my heart and told me I was home. I get so excited about this, I just thank the Lord.” “What really makes the Catholic Church different is that we take Jesus seriously when he gave us the Sacrament of Holy Orders. We take the wine and bread and believe they become the literal body and blood of Jesus,” said Dennis Gorsich, a pastoral associate. “We’re actually at that Last Supper during the Eucharist. It’s like being in a time warp. I often feel closer to God because I’ve taken the Eucharist. Jesus is clearing away the things that are not good in me.

Full Article: Holy Spirit Catholic Church

Kaleo Church Website

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Dec 2, 2005 in Church, Church Technology, Ekklesia | 2 comments

New Kaleo Church Website…coming soon. We’ve built the framework (nice web standards/css) for the new site. It’s going to be nice to finally move from table based designs on this one. We’re moving all the content now into the Ekklesia System (this is saying a lot when you have 100′s of articles and sermons!). But man, is it going to make life easier when we’re using ES from now on. Also, the url’s will be rewritten so instead of

/teaching/teaching.php?content=the-gospel-and-our-finances.html
/teaching/the-gospel-and-our-finances/

Which will have an added bonus for ease of use and SEO.

Ok, now throw out some suggestions. What does every church website need? What do you think is critical to have on the home page for visitors? I’d love to hear your comments as we finalize it. Also, if you have any great graphic design people who want to throw their hat in the ring, I’d love some cool images….

Calvary Chapel San Diego

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Dec 1, 2005 in Church Technology, Sheep&Goats | 0 comments

“I was stoned when I accepted Christ,” said Jared Lee, a volunteer at Calvary Chapel San Diego. “When my parents got divorced, I started getting into the drug scene. I would smoke an ounce of weed in three days and would steal. Everything was about getting the next high.” Lee’s life changed when three people approached him in Balboa Park and told him about Jesus. “I found hope. There was something more in life,” said Lee. Lee now believes Christianity is the only true way. “God opened my eyes.” Lee joined Calvary Chapel and participated in their Fellowship in Recovery program. “The program follows the same 12-step program for Alcoholics Anonymous. I went from being a curse to society, as a drug addict and a worthless guy, to a blessing. I moved in to help my grandmother when my grandpa died. I am a high school teacher now, and I work with the youth at church. If I hadn’t accepted Christ, I would be in jail or dead.”

Full Article: Calvary Chapel San Diego