In the life cycle of a church, vision ignites everything. Church planters have a passion for reaching people far from God in their communities, towns and cities. Cast vision for souls now. Start before you’re completely ready. Communicate urgency to energize, deputize and mobilize your established congregation to fulfill that vision. Casting vision will net you support and momentum.

One of the lesser-known phrases that I’ve heard in the past year is that coming out of the pandemic, “all church leaders will need to think like church planters”. But what does that mean? What makes “thinking like a church planter” beneficial to leading into the future? Instead, let me suggest what “Thinking Like a Planter” might look like.

Young ministry leaders are aching for mentorship but statistics continue to show that they’re not finding it. The reasons are complex. Older leaders haven’t been mentored themselves or had bad mentoring relationships. They’re busy and need to give their time to others. They may feel that getting this close to an employee is risky. They don’t want to make themselves vulnerable. Possibly, established leaders don’t see the benefits of making this kind of investment, but they need to.

As we look to the fall and the potential of limited restrictions, churches are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This will be different than the reopening that we’ve been accustomed to. This will be, in essence, a fresh start; something from which to build upon. It’s for this reason that church leaders are looking at relaunching this fall.

Be kind. We are responsible for the views we personally express, and the views of others which we endorse and repeat.

Raise your hand if you had church plans cancelled by new gathering restrictions just before Christmas 2020 or Mother’s Day 2021? Now that we all have our hands raised we can agree that we need to start planning differently moving forward. Agility is the key to anything we think through now. Rigid plans have a distinct possibility of failing more than ever. We have to be willing and able to change on the fly. Reaching souls and making disciples did not stop because of a global pandemic. We have to be even more creative and intentional about doing them whatever comes our way.

On May 3-4, over 300 ministers attended the very first, completely virtual, Ministers Gathering 2021. Although we usually meet in beautiful Banff, Alberta, this was one for the books, as many of our international ministers were able to be in attendance this year.

This fall, when Covid restrictions are lifted, we will see the largest opportunity for Gospel impact that we’ve seen in decades. Churches who are prepared for this are going to reap a harvest of salvations. However, the harvest you reap will depend on the seed you sow.

I may not be Julie Andrews, but here are a few of my favourite things.

Listening is of greater value than talking.

I was asked to share some of the things I learned since moving to Barrhead from Logan Lake, BC. Here are five things I discovered.

Who are you leaving a trail of jellybeans for?

Mothers Day Weekend, May 8-9, 2021, is a time to spoil Moms with treats and surprises. While we have been isolating, Moms everywhere are working harder than ever. What better time to say, “Thank you” and honour the moms and women in your community!

A prescription for perseverence

Do today’s leaders know what it takes to mentor the next generation? Here are four things we all need to influence young leaders.

As you head into these final few weeks leading up to Easter just think of all the people who will be invited to your online and onsite experiences. Imagine all those people engaging and receiving personalized, follow-up messages from you. Are you ready?

In this blog you will find helpful ideas and resources for creating your Easter Experience whether you are in person or online, needing an online plug and play, or simply some Pinterest ideas to enrich what you are already planning.

Pastor Joachim Chisanga is one of the millions of people on the move for reasons benign and tragic. He misses the warmer, free, expressive climate and worship in southern Africa but he has adapted to southern Alberta. His perspective on adapting to change and leading outbound, adaptive change is informative.