The premiere issue of Ed Young's Creative Leader Newsletter was delivered to inboxes around the world today! Focusing on life and leadership in the local church, this free, monthly email publication will provide insights and straightforward advice based on Ed's 16 years leading Fellowship Church. If you're already signed up to receive CreativePastors emails, your copy should already be waiting for you! If not, just create a free account at CreativePastors.com and make sure the box that says, "Yes, send me news, special offers, and great content!" is checked. Then you'll automatically receive following editions. In the meantime, here's a look at this month's content:
Fired up for Fall
While Christmas and Easter are undoubtedly the biggest weekends for churches, I would argue that we are entering one of the most critical seasons of ministry: Fall. With the flip of a calendar page, families in your community will be trading in their sunscreen and beach balls for #2 pencils and notebook paper. As they get back into a school schedule, they'll be recommitting to routines, church attendance included.
Fall is ripe with opportunities. To make the most of them, we need to be healthy and ready to take turf for the kingdom of God. This is a time of year where we need to focus our greatest offensive energy into planning and preparation. Here's a look at what we've learned during many fall seasons at Fellowship Church:
- Plan a big series. This is when to debut an irresistible message series. Pray to choose the topic your church needs most, then put forth some major creative teamwork to build an exciting series. Some of our recent fall series include Authority Issues, Love Affair, Who's Kidding Who, and Questions.
- Be ready to quarterback. Make sure you're done with your vacations, back in town and engaged in your church.
- Take advantage of the big plays of summer. Get in touch with the people who visited your church for summer events and let them know what you've got going on for them this fall.
- Make changes now. People are in the mood for a fresh start in the fall, so it's a great time to launch new programs, transform environments, and add or change service times.
- And if you don't change it, make it stronger. Freshen up your facilities and make sure your existing programs are at their best.
I get fired up each fall and look forward to the surge of energy and enthusiasm this season brings to the local church. Let's get our A game going and be ready for the incredible opportunities God will bring our way!
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