Sarah’s Reviews > The Surprising Return of the Neighborhood Church: Discover How Your Church Is Primed to Reach Your Neighbors > Status Update

The teaching was hard because people wanted something from Jesus. Many were only interested in what Jesus could do for them. They were not interested in Jesus himself… It’s not that they couldn’t understand… It’s that they were unwilling to accept… Everyone loves free food Jesus. However, not everyone will choose to follow the flesh and blood Jesus.

Proper signage, a good location, a solid social media presence, clean facilities, and strategic marketing help the church gain visibility, but the tip reason that guests will come is that they’ve been invited by their friends and family members

The unchurched are more willing to attend a service at a church hat is making an impact in the local community

As you formulate a strategy for growth, your top priority should be conversion growth … not all transfer growth is bad, but churches should avoid transfer growth generated by people merely seeking their preferences.

One question seems to get people talking more than any other: “what gets your church most excited?” Or “what gets you most excited about your church?””

The answer reveals passion, priorities, perspective, and personality

Cultural change is deeper than implementing new systems; cultural change requires a shift in values, priorities, and perceptions

Rather than disrupting the natural patterns in your church, use them! Give them a purpose. It’s much easier to go with the flow and steer people in that flow than to get everyone into an entirely new pattern

The status quo is focused entirely inward, on people who are already in the church body, without considering those who still need to be reached

Nostalgia becomes a problem when we ling for the past more than we anticipate God’s work in the future. Nostalgia produces paralysis. Overly nostalgic churches become apathetic to God’s active kingdom work.

Successful neighborhood churches may embrace a philosophy of being strategically small rather than intentionally small. Strategic smallness seeks to leverage the strength of a small smaller size for greater Ministry effectiveness, whereas churches that intentionally stay small betray a dangerous inward mentality.