What does it mean to give and receive welcome? What can we learn from it? Why is it risky? read more

Lord, I don't go to church much. I don't go at all . . . well, I go at Christmas. I'm home then. I feel drawn to it. I like the Christmas Eve service, the coolness of the… read more

Churches sometimes underestimate the importance of the Advent and Christmas seasons when planning their growth stategies for the year. Because December is such a busy month, it… read more

On a recent rainy Sunday afternoon, I sat on our covered front porch with our local "family" magazine--you know, the kind you pick up for free at the grocery store or… read more

Just as secret shoppers help retailers know what real customers are experiencing in their stores, John (or Jane) Q. Visitor offers the real view from the pew in congregations… read more

Just as secret shoppers help retailers know what real customers are experiencing in their stores, John (or Jane) Q. Visitor offers the real view from the pew in congregations… read more