Manuel Luz discusses the definition of “church:” something that happens or a community of believers:

I’m witnessing a growing trend in some churches these days. And that is to quietly retire older worship leaders and musicians in favor of younger, more hip-looking equivalents. And let me be clear on this: I don’t have anything against young leadership, and I strongly believe it is an extremely important part of ministry to disciple and empower young men and women to serve and lead worship in our congregations. They bring a fresh, creative, and necessary expression to the church. The issue is that I am seeing—more and more—wise, talented, heart-driven, mature worship musicians and leaders, both vocational and volunteer, being “retired” from ministry.

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Chuck Warnock predicts an end to the Christian celebrity culture:

In keeping with end of the year predictions, here are mine. Of course, several years ago I predicted $5 per gallon gas. Thankfully, we never got to that point. But in light of my obvious fallibility I’m framing my prognostications in the familiar “what’s in and what’s out” categories. Here’s what I think (and hope) are in and out for 2014:

1. Out: Celebrity Christians. In: Communities that model love for God and others.

More articles and blog posts appeared in 2013 lamenting the culture of “celebrity” that has infected the evangelical world. Celebrity Christians include people who are already celebrities, like Paula Deen and the Duck Commander, but celebrity Christians also include regular guys and gals who are clawing their way to the top of the bestseller list and the next big conference. Christian book publishers love the celebrity culture, but the rest of us are beginning to feel a little used.

In for 2014 are faith communities that model love for God and others. These communities are multiplying in American Christian culture, and have great appeal to everyone’s target group, Millennials. Beyond their attractiveness, communities like Grace and Main in Danville, Virginia are replacing celebrity with service and fame with friendship. Watch for more like them in 2014.

2. Out: Big evangelical conferences. In: Small local peer groups.

Apparently there are about 75 major evangelical conferences each year. Most of these target pastors, and obviously no pastor can attend all or even most of these conferences. The big conference model is coming to an end, just like the big electronic conventions of years past. Time and cost will be major factors in their decline. Also, if celebrity Christians are out, conferences which feature celebrity Christians will also fade away.

In for 2014 are small local peer group conversations. Book discussions over lunch, peer-to-peer support, and contextual problem-solving will grow in importance in 2014.

3. Out: Coaching. In: Spiritual direction.

Coaching has reached critical mass in the church world. Anyone can be a coach, and unlike in the sports world, church and pastoral coaches aren’t graded on the success of their coaching. Coaching is a metaphor borrowed from the sports world that is losing currency in the church world.

Spiritual direction, on the other hand, is a traditional and appropriate helping ministry in the Christian community. Spiritual direction focuses on spiritual disciplines and insights such as discernment, guidance, insight, wisdom, vocation, and mission. The growth of spiritual practices such as lectio divina, the daily office, and the use of prayer books portend the rise of the ministry spiritual direction in 2014.

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Leah Norton asks if it’s time to rethink the name of your ministry:

Hi, I’m Leah. What’s your name? What’s your church’s name? Why do I ask? Why do I care? Why should you care?

Because names matter. Your name is what you lead with. As a person, family, school, sports team, store, restaurant, company… and yes, as a church. Is your church name working well? Or is it time to rethink yours?

Let’s consider it. Why Does a Church Name Matter?

1. Because your people can embrace it. Your church name—and your related identity/branding—can build significant energy, unity and church spirit (like school spirit!) within your congregation. I played volleyball in junior high. I was so proud to be a Belzer Bruin; I can still chant those Belzer Bruin cheers. I want to have a similar kind of church spirit!

2. Because it’s a great outreach tool. Your church name has the potential to build intrigue and start conversations with people beyond your congregation. This may include folks in your local community—and even beyond your local community or online. Your church name is a strategic outreach tool. A name can cut through the clutter, raise eyebrows and get people asking questions or wanting to learn more about your church, God or faith.

3 Tips for Rethinking Your Church’s Name

Time to rethink your church’s name? Here are three tips to consider:

1. Consider 20 other things first. Consider 20 other things that you should strengthen at your church ahead of the name change. A name change can be great—but only when it brings to life the vision, energy, experience and intentional ministry that is already rockin’ at your church.

2. Confirm the why. If a new church name is vital, be sure you—and others at your church—know why. Make it as obvious as possible why renaming is essential given who God is calling your church to reach.

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Todd Rhoades offers tips for the process of leaving your ministry:

Pastoral resignation letter writing is tricky. No one ever wants to write them. Everyone knows what they’d like to say (deep down), but many times don’t know how to say it.

Well, it’s 2014… time to gear up for another year of ministry.

Some were so excited this morning that they couldn’t wait to get out of bed.

Yet others reading this are not so excited about 2014 because you know that this will be a big year of change for you and your family… a time of transition.

So we start out this new year with advice…

What should you write in your pastoral resignation letter?

Even if you are THRILLED with where God has you right now… it’s always a good exercise, particularly at the beginning of the year, to think through what you’re thankful for. In fact, those are usually the things you try to put into a letter of resignation (even if things have gone sour).

I’d encourage you to think about what you’re thankful for today… and maybe even (as an exercise) write down some thoughts about what you would put in your letter.

Here are some suggestions from Jeremy Postal, who just a couple of years ago left his position of ten years at his home church.

1. Express Your Emotion:

Give some indication to your church the inner struggle you’ve had in coming to the decision you have. If you love your church, and I hope you do, express that love, care, and concern for them and ensure to articulate it well.

2. State Your Move:

Don’t save the announcement to the end or sidle up to it. Make clear your intention near to the start so that the rest of everything you say/write comes in the context of your move.

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Gary Durbin helps us give focus to our congregations in January:

As a worship leader, I have felt the effects of the Christmas hangover. This is the time that church leaders and worship leaders need to rise up and help people refocus on worshiping God for the next 12 months. By the way…this is an amazing privilege and responsibility.

So to help, here’s some worship leading remedies for those in your church that are coming in with the dreaded Christmas hangover:

1. PROVIDE A WAKE-UP CALL – Coffee is a known remedy for hangovers and also a great way to wake up. Sometimes, churches need a wake-up call. I’m a huge believer in the idea of a “call to worship” in our services. If we don’t practice this, we’re just assuming everyone knows why we’re at church. This can take on different forms. Sometimes it’s appropriate to greet everyone and chat a little bit. Sometimes it’s appropriate to pray or read scripture. Psalm 95:6 says, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down.” Sometimes, all you need to do is count off 1, 2, 3, 4 and kick in the first song. No matter what it looks like, our churches need a call to worship, because we need to be reminded of why we’re gathering together. After Christmas, your church may need more of a wake-up call to worship. It’s an announcement that the holiday season is over, but worship is just getting started. Be prayerful about how you can call your church to worship after the Christmas season.

2. GIVE THEM SOMETHING FAMILIAR – As you’re calling your church to come and worship, make sure to give them something they know. Give them something familiar to worship with. It’s hard for anyone to sing a song with enthusiasm if they don’t know it yet. Familiarity can be a great tool to help you engage with your congregation and lead them past the holiday season and into a new season of worship.

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Thom Rainer gives insights into church trends:

More large churches will function like mini-denominations. These churches will have multiple locations. They will have one senior or lead pastor, and several other campus pastors. They are more likely to fund their own missions priorities, even if they are also contributing to a denominational missions fund. Many of them will write their own small group literature. Some will have their own church planting strategies. (70% confidence factor)

New worship centers will be built smaller. There will be a greater emphasis on smaller gatherings more frequently. This trend is being affected significantly by the preferences of the Millennial generation (born 1980 to 2000). A related trend is that many congregations will find ways to downsize their existing worship centers. (70%)

Increased emphasis on small groups. In 2014 we will see a decided shift from nearly two decades of the “worship revolution” to the “small group revolution.” Church leaders are rapidly discovering that members who connect to groups are the most faithful members in the church by a myriad of metrics. That is not to suggest that worship will become unimportant; it is to suggest that small groups will have a greater emphasis than the previous quarter century. (75%)

Longer pastoral tenure. There will be incremental but steady growth in the length of tenure of pastors at a given church. Part of the reason is the influence of the Millennials who do not view larger churches as their next step in ministry. Part of the reason is economic; moving in today’s economy is not nearly as easy in pre-recession days. Hopefully, the main reason is a sense of God’s call to stay rather than move. (75%)

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Worship leader David Santistevan shares his new year resolutions for ministry:

To start things off, I’m going to share with you my commitments for 2014. What I’ve done is taken all my different roles (Christian, Husband, Dad, Worship Leader, Business Owner) and created a declaration about what I want to see happen.

Then, I’ll share with you how it will get done.

I’m sharing my ten commitments in hopes that it will inspire you to make your own.

So here we go. My 10 commitments:

1. I commit to gaze steadily upon the glory of God every day, in front of crowds or by myself, to put my life in its proper context.

2. I commit to read and study God’s Words more than I think upon my own ideas.

3. I commit to stay madly in love with my wife.

4. I commit to loving my kids and creating an atmosphere in our home for God’s presence, creativity, exploration, conversation and fun.

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