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The mission of ChurchNext is to build healthy congregations by opening ourselves up to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit who's actively working in every denomination.

Find ChurchNext at ChurchNext.tv.

The ChurchNext Mission is to introduce you and me to innovative church doers and thinkers whose ideas and stories are so powerful that just hearing them will change us.

The ChurchNext Mission is to put the spotlight on a diversity of ministries that are flourishing today – and the dynamic leaders who are building them. We uphold the notion that the best way to grow is to learn from a variety of smart people who are willing to share their expertise and experiences.

The ChurchNext Mission is to ignite our passion for the work of Christ and help us build healthier congregations.

The ChurchNext Mission is to act as a counter-weight to an increasingly secular society that is trying to convince us that the only option for the Christian church today is decline. The Church has made it through tougher times than these and will continue to flourish as followers increase their knowledge and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus.

The ChurchNext Mission is to encourage us to follow a vision so big and important that our ministries, congregations, and lives are reinvigorated and inspired like never before.

ChurchNext is produced and developed by the Rev. Chris Yaw.

Latest Content by ChurchNext

Chris Yaw Interviews Ron Crandall: Small Church Ministry Takes a Different Kind of Leadership

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Taken with permission from ChurchNext.tv

 

Ministry in smaller congregations takes expertise and enthusiasm for people not programs, says United Methodist minister and small church consultant Ron Crandall.

Read full article...

Chris Yaw Interviews Byron Wade: Out With Committees, In With Ministry Teams

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Presbyterian pastor Byron Wade says one way he's energized his mainline congregation is to change the vocabulary that speaks of maintenance to that which speaks of mission.

Byron's Davie Street Presbyterian (USA) no longer has committees, but Ministry Teams - that take ownership and intentionality toward the work they've been called to do.

Read full article...

Other Recent Content by ChurchNext

April 20, 2013

Chris Yaw Interviews Erin Lane: Hey Church, Be More Conscious of Gender Issues!

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

While there are more women in the pews, there are still lots more men in the pulpit. And this can lead to ill-informed preaching and community formation that can be offensive to women and even drive them from the faith. Feminist Erin Lane knows this well, she’s the editor of an upcoming book on women, faith and taboos. She says there are things church leaders can do to be more attentive to women, and in this interview she offers some advice.

April 15, 2013

Chris Yaw Interviews Stephen McCutchan: How Well Are You Taking Care of Your Pastor?

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Our pastors take care of us, that’s their job – but should my job also be to take care of them Retired Presbyterian pastor, author, and consultant Stephen McCutchan says, ‘Absolutely!’ He created the Pastoral Care Network whose litany is: Healthy Clergy, Healthy Church, and he’s devoted his life to coming alongside church leaders to bring about renewed health and vigor in church leaders so that congregations can flourish.

April 06, 2013

Chris Yaw Interviews Pen Peery: Building on Your Strengths Grows the Church

The Rev. Pendleton Peery (PCUSA)

Just a few months into his new position at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, NC, Pendelton (Pen) Peery is doing a lot of listening. This dynamic pastor, and leader of the PCUSA renewal movement called Next Church, Pen has learned to listen for the unique gifts his new congregation possesses, with plans to first begin building upon them.

April 01, 2013

Chris Yaw Interviews Arthur Jones: The Challenge of Discipleship for Young Adults

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

The Well is a United Methodist church plant that, by most indicators, is a home run. It’s hip, it’s relevant, and on its first Sunday, 7 months ago, welcomed more than 800 people. However, pastor Arthur Jones says the challenge of discipleship-making remains: how do we help young people deepen their knowledge of Scripture, increase their commitment to the community, and unlock stewardship realities that are life-giving?

March 21, 2013

Chris Yaw Interviews Matthew Smith: Recovering Denominational Roots Grows This Church

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

How does a church of 19 (mostly grandparents) get to nearly 150 in just a few years? Intentional Christian practice found at the heart of the Methodist tradition. Matt Smith, co-founder of The Table at Central United Methodist Church says the growing congregation, that already has one ‘plant’ at a local coffee house, is all about helping people make sense of what God’s doing in their lives.

March 15, 2013

Chris Yaw Interviews Steve Lindsley: Small Town Ministry That's Working

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Ministry in real-life Mayberry has its blessings and challenges..Steve Lindsley, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Airy, NC, says it’s great to be involved in such a loving community, however the financial struggles take a toll.

March 08, 2013

Chris Yaw Interviews L. Gregory Jones: Got the Courage for Traditional Innovation?

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Taking what’s best of the old and freshening it up with the new is the challenging work facing nearly every congregation today says Duke University theologian, author, and UMC minister L. Gregory Jones – so how do we do this?

February 25, 2013

Chris Yaw Interviews Tom Tewell: Exegete Your Congregation

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Exegete means to interpret – and long-time Presbyterian pastor and consultant Tom Tewell says this is what congregations need to do in their neighborhoods – to interpret what God is doing there. Tewell says that the simple act of gathering your church leaders together and walking (or driving) around the neighborhood watching, listening, and praying, can have an incredible impact.

February 25, 2013

Chris Yaw Interviews Quinn Caldwell: Most Churches Are Too Darn Nice!

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

He grew up in the pews of his denomination, now Pastor Quinn Caldwell is taking the helm at Plymouth Congregational Church in Syracuse, NY and is ready to make some noise. Caldwell says many mainline denominations suffer from a sense of complacency, as if the highest calling of the Christian was quiet dignity. He is hoping to inspire people to reach out to others with the love of God.

February 21, 2013

Chris Yaw Interviews Andrew Holmes: Exploring the Role of Entertainment in Worship

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Ordained Methodist, PhD candidate, and USA Messy Church coordinator Andrew Holmes ponders the role of ‘fun’ when it comes to Christian worship – and at the end of the day he’s in favor of it. Hear the words of this seasoned clergyman who thinks churches miss out when they avoid lightheartedness.

February 14, 2013

Chris Yaw Interviews Jamie Coats: How the Monks Stay Ahead of the Game

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

The popular vision of monastics may include ancient religious observation in drafty, stone chapels – is this hardly a place of innovation? Jamie Coats works for the Society of St. John the Evangelist near Boston. He helps this community of 20 monks, who are devoted to preaching and teaching, get the word out in some pretty cool ways.

January 05, 2013

Chris Yaw Interviews Christopher Martin: Why Your Church Needs the Restoration Project

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

You were made in the image of God – is it time for some restoration? That’s the tag line for Episcopal priest Christopher Martin’s latest project: The Restoration Project – which aims, through sequential classes, small group discipleship, and personal rules of life – to deepen the spirituality of local congregations.

January 01, 2013

Chris Yaw Interviews Parker Palmer: Encouragement for Church Leaders

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Times may be tough for traditional churches, but Parker Palmer, founder of the Center for Courage and Renewal, is not only hopeful, but inspired by the faithful and steady labor of today’s church leaders. Parker finds hope in failure and potential growth in conflict. He also sees the importance of forming deep communities of cto help those who help better fulfill their callings. In this interview Parker gives his signature pearls of wisdom on community, health, and leadership issues.

December 24, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Jim Hamilton: Mainline Church Plant Pioneers Emergence

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Fr. Jim Hamilton really thought the new Sunday night service he was hired to create would flop – but then God has a sense of humor. Out of Christ Church, Cranbrook‘s desire for a contemplative service for 20-somethings came Lex Orandi which, two years later, is a vibrant community that has far surpassed expectations. In this interview Jim tells us how established churches might go about launching similar ventures.

December 17, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Dean Snyder: Reaching the De-Churched

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

It’s not that they’ve never been churched, it’s that they’ve been de-churched – says Foundry United Methodist pastor Dean Snyder – which calls for ministering in a whole new way. Pastor Snyder’s helped design a whole new worship service, with different time and liturgy, in hopes of capturing the attentions of Washington, D.C.’s young urbanites.

December 13, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Marek Zabrieski: Have Your Church Read the Bible in One Year

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Seems like a no-brainer: have the entire congregation read the Bible in one year. This was the epiphany Fr. Marek Zabriskie, of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Whitemarsh, PA had – so he mustered his congregation, had them do it, and now The Bible Challenge is an international movement.

December 08, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Nicole Lamarche: Tell Me About the God You Don't Believe In

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Church planting in Silicon Valley… it’s about encountering an incredibly gifted and brilliant community… that can be disinterested or even antagonistic toward the Gospel. But that’s not stopping Nicole Lamarche from her work planting Silicon Valley United Church of Christ. She’s moving forward on the Spirit’s prodding that there’s plenty of room for a progressive expression of the Gospel in this very young area (average age is 34!)

December 03, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews David Male: Fresh Expressions of Church That Are Working

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

One of the advantages to leading a church in a country where few people go to church is that you can be creative. That’s what’s behind the Fresh Expressions movement in the U.K. – where David Male has the job of training ‘pioneer missionaries.’ These are folks are entrepreneurs and innovators who listen for the Spirit’s voice outside church walls – and are creating congregations in some invigorating ways.

December 01, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Mark Allan Powell: Stewardship Advice That Makes Sense

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Mark Allan Powell’s book, Giving to God, is the best stewardardship book I’ve ever read – and in this interview Dr. Powell takes on the biggest objections to giving to church. This seminary professor also shares with us ‘what he would do’ were he in charge of the annual stewardship campaign at his church. Enjoy the wit, wisdom, and seasoned advice of this very well informed thinker.

November 26, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Peter Rollins: Growing Communities by Embracing Mystery

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

The unkeepable promise of certainty is what the world offers – and the Church shows its own fears when it tries to compete. That’s why author and theologian Peter Rollins urges congregations to embrace the truth of life’s deep mystery and unknowing – as a way to open us up to God’s presence and purpose. Meet this deep thinker, and founder of Ireland’s IKON Community.

November 23, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews David Emery: Celebrating Transformation Grows the Church

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

David Emery serves the 100+ year old congregation at Middletown Christian Church which, ten years ago, had half the people on Sunday mornings that it has today. David says the old church ran by more of a ‘membership model’ than a ‘transformation model’ – which emphasizes the changed hearts and lives of its members.

November 12, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Amy Butler: Mainline Turnaround Takes Fortitude

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Ten years ago Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. was near death’s door. With less than 40 people in the pews, nearly all well-past retirement, many thought the church would close. But, God had a different plan. Pastor Amy Butler’s story is one that’s getting a lot of publicity. Learn from this determined shepherd the importance of vision, compassion, and fortitude.

October 29, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Richard Cox: What Makes Sermons Memorable?

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Does our brain react differently to a sermon than any other kind of verbal communication? What makes sermons memorable? And how can we preach more memorable sermons? These are questions that psychologist, theologian, and preacher Dr. Richard Cox explores in a new book called Rewiring Your Preaching in which he gives pointers to preachers about how the preaching experience can improve.

October 25, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews John Wimberly: The Benefits of the Long-Term Pastorate

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Three decades ago John Wimberly came to Western Presbyterian Church and found 70 people near the age of 70. Thirty years later that number is around 350 – and growing younger. No, there’s no silver bullet, just a great combination of preaching, pastoral care, and commitment to study – to name a few.

October 08, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Diana Butler Bass: What Will Tomorrow's Church Look Like?

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

A wide open, Wiki-community, more dependent on the wisdom of many will dominate the church of tomorrow says author and speaker Diana Butler Bass. This is just one trend Diana, a historian by background, has been tracking. She says the next generation is much more apt NOT to believe in God – so it’s important for churches to come clean in the areas of honesty and a willingness to admit we don’t know it all.

September 20, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Katherine Douglass: Young Adults Are More Spiritually Aware Than You Think

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Sure the surveys say they don’t pray, go to church, or read much of the Bible – but Katherine Douglass says research also shows most young adults are interested in God and growing their faith. Katie is a PhD candidate at Princeton Seminary where she’s discovering how the arts resonate with young adults.

September 15, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Philosopher John Caputo: The Premodernism of Postmodernism

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

The religious mocking and jabbing of modernism is getting its own comeuppance by many postmodern thinkers – who are affirming the limits of human understanding, especially around religious knowledge. Philosopher, professor, and author John Caputo has spent his career pondering what we know, why we know, and the ways we know it – and he is hopeful about the future of religion.

September 10, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Margot Starbuck: The Message of Making People Uncomfortable

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Margot, an author, speaker, and Presbyterian minister, just moved with her family into a community being formed around young adult friends with disabilities. In Chris Yaw's video interview, Margot talks about the need for Christians to live authentically, and purposely give of themselves for the benefit of others.

September 06, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews G. Jeffrey MacDonald: Beware of Thieves in the Temple

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Which is rubbing off more: the Church on the Marketplace, or the Marketplace on the Church Journalist, author, and UCC minister G. Jeffrey MacDonald is convinced that North America’s consumer mentality is shaping the Church in some worrisome ways – that we’re becoming more interested in value, convenience, and comfort vs more biblical values of sacrifice and discipleship. Watch Chris Yaw's interview with him.

September 03, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Amy-Jill Levine: Would Jesus Tweet?

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Probably not – but he would’ve used Facebook! So says Vanderbilt University Scripture scholar Amy-Jill Levine. Her insights into the Jewishness of Jesus and the Scriptures, have helped many Christian leaders come to a more authentic understanding of Jesus and his ministry.

August 21, 2012

Chris Yaw Intervews Stephen Cady: Why 100% of Young People Dread the Sermon

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

When Princeton Seminary PhD candidate Stephen Cady embarked on research to discover where high school aged young adults find God in worship, he never expected nearly all the responses to say they don't. In this interview, Stephen unpacks the motives and messages behind this eye-opening research that will really help us better minister to and with younger people.

August 14, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Dwight Moody: Let the Young People Preach!

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Raising up the next generation of Christian leaders is something today’s church 1) needs, and 2) is not doing well – so says Dwight Moody, which is why he’s doing something rather substantial about it. Dwight runs The Academy of Preachers and says it’s the most ecumenical outfit in North America – attracting hundreds of young preachers from all Christian faith traditions to its many preaching events.

August 07, 2012

ChurchNext: Chris Yaw Interviews Jose Morales on Welcoming the Immigrant

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Very soon the demographics of America will see a major change: the European-American majority will become the new minority. Welcoming America’s new faces is an opportunity and challenge for U.S. churches, and one Jose Morales takes seriously. He’s an executive with the Disciples of Christ, which is committed to planting and transforming 2, 000 congregations by 2020.

July 23, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Kenda Creasy Dean: Exploring the Spirituality of Young People

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

It’s a lament often heard in churches: where are all the kids? And Princeton Seminary‘s Kenda Creasy Dean says we often not need look further than parents.

July 17, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Stan Ott: Beating the Pressure of Present Demands

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Stan Ott, seasoned consultant with the Vital Practices Institute, says helping leaders get past the tyranny of the immediate is the most common challenge he sees in today’s churches.

July 09, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Bishop Andy Doyle: Mission-Mindedness Grows the Church

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Don’t be afraid to fail gloriously, says Episcopal Bishop Andy Doyle, of the Diocese of Texas. He’s all about planting new churches in unexpected places, and reinvigorating older congregations through diocesan-wide activities that encourage faith sharing.

July 05, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Rebekah Maul: Giving Permission Grows the Church

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Pastor Rebekah Maul, at First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, Florida, arrived 16 years ago to what she describes as a congregation that had trouble believing in itself – then she began giving permission. In this interview, Rev. Maul describes how this liberation has transformed First Pres, bringing out the joy and love of Christ that has led to all kinds of growth.

June 26, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Christian Piatt: Cultivating a Love Greater Than Our Differences

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

For Christian Piatt and his Milagro Church bridging polarizing differences, which seem intractable in today’s contemporary society, is a job more churches should be putting on the front burner.

June 22, 2012

ChurchNext: Chris Yaw Interviews George Mason on Getting Members to Church

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

It’s a problem nearly every church faces: how to motivate the beloved to making their faith community a higher priority. Longtime pastor of Wilshire Baptist Church in Texas George Mason wrestles with it like everyone else.

June 12, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Peter Marty: Morale and Trust Are Keys to Healthy Congregations

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

The pastor of the fastest growing urban congregation in the Lutheran Church (ELCA) says what draws people to join St. Paul’s is the energy and vibrancy that hits them the first minute they come through the door. Peter Marty says things were not that way 16 years ago when he arrived to pastor a church that was deeply divided and faced a mountain of debt.

June 11, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Frank Wade on Leading the "Nation's Church"

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

In this ChurchNext video interview, Chris Yaw talks with the Dr. Frank Wade, interim dean of the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, about leadership in the church today.

June 02, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Susan Kendall on Listening Leaders

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

It’s the most important aspect of church leadership today, says Pittsburgh Theological Seminary‘s Susan Kendall: listening. As a graduate school instructor she sees listening, in its three aspects of congregation, context, and God, as standard equipment for today’s effective leaders.

May 21, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Bishop John Spong: Humility and Acceptance Build the Church

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

John Spong is a lightning rod for criticism from our more conservative brothers and sisters, and he also continues to draw packed houses to his Bible lectures. This is evidence, he says, of a deep hunger for a deeper way of approaching faith. Chris Yaw interviews him for ChurchNext.tv

May 17, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Alban Institute's James Wind on Building Your Congregation

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Nearly 40 years ago founders of The Alban Institute set out to resource local congregations – and its current president, The Rev. Dr. James Wind, is continuing the task. In this interview with Chris Yaw for ChurchNext.tv, Dr. Wind shares his optimism about the North American church, his insights into its challenges, and his sage advice for today’s congregational leaders.

May 12, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Steve Knight: Participating in God's Mission Grows the Church

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

It’s the classic definition of ‘missional’: participating with God in what God is doing in the world – and it’s Steve Knight’s passion and profession. Steve currently serves the Disciples of Christ in their efforts to start 1,000 new churches, and transform 1,000 others by 2020. Watch Chris Yaw's interview with him for ChurchNext.tv

May 08, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Frank Schaeffer: Identifying with Your Brokenness Strengthens the Church

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

He left Christendom, but kept Christ. And Frank Schaffer, a one-time leader in the Religious Right movement has much to say about what he’s learned along the way, especially regarding the importance of identifying with our brokenness so that Christ may be exalted. Watch Chris Yaw of ChurchNext.tv interview him.

May 03, 2012

ChurchNext: Chris Yaw interviews Landon Whitsitt

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

It’s one of the Church’s biggest mistakes: over-reliance on one person to do the bulk of the work. In this new, inventive, age, the PCUSA’s Landon Whitsitt, author of the book Open Source Church, thinks that the day of the ‘super-pastor’ is way over – and that the Body of Christ does its best work in collaboration. Watch Chris Yaw's interview.

April 20, 2012

ChurchNext: Chris Yaw Interviews N.T. Wright on Balancing Study and Prayer

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Bishop N.T. ‘Tom’ Wright is a former bishop, New Testament Scholar, and author (the new one is How God Became King) who says Christian leadership has always been about the same four things: Prayer/Scripture/Sacrament/Service. Watch Chris Yaw's video interview with him for ChurchNext.tv.

April 09, 2012

Chris Yaw Interviews Day1's Peter Wallace: The Message of the Mainline

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

Chris Yaw, producer of ChurchNext.tv, interview the host and producer of Day1, Peter Wallace, on the state of preaching, the message of the mainline church, and how we need to be open to the new things that are happening today.

April 02, 2012

ChurchNext: Chris Yaw interviews David Lose on the Evolution of Preaching

The Rev. Chris Yaw (TEC)

For ChurchNext.tv, Chris Yaw interviews the Rev. Dr. David Lose, professor of biblical preaching at Luther Seminary, on the evolution of preaching.