IBSA eConnection: Main reasons people leave church, getting ready for Easter guests, avoiding voyeurism in the pulpit, more

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The main reasons people leave a church

Numbers of gifted persons and organizations have studied the phenomenon of the church "back door," the metaphorical way we describe people leaving the church. In many cases, people leave a church because they don't have a servant mentality -- and churches have not helped them develop one. Learn five practical steps to close the back door by changing the membership mentality at BPNews.net.

Celebrate Focus on WMU Week February 11-17

Nearly 6,000 women strong, the Illinois Baptist Woman's Missionary Union (WMU) touches lives for Christ throughout Illinois, across the United States and into the world. From WMU activities in their local churches, to marketplace ministry projects in Chicago, to missions work with Muslim women in France, Illinois WMU is sharing the Gospel. Learn more about Illinois WMU and missions at IBSA.org.

Company is coming! Getting your church ready for Easter
You've inundated your town with prayer and printed invitations to worship at your church on Easter. Your individual members' interactions with people in your community have reinforced those efforts. You have a sudden, terrifying thought ... "What if they all show up?!" Learn how your church can get ready for Easter at IBSA.org.

10 ways to avoid indecent exposure in the pulpit
To illustrate is to shed light on a subject. Illustrations are like windows in a house: They let the light in, but they can also let in voyeurs, seeking to eye the forbidden. There is no place for voyeurism in the pulpit. Sermon illustrations should be like letting sunlight into a window, not like putting a spotlight on a stage. Find out what you should avoid saying at ChurchLeaders.com.

IBSA Technical Ministries Workshop for church leaders

Learn basic sound and video technology and how to tweak them for maximum use in your church at the IBSA Technical Ministries Workshop March 3 at the IBSA Building. Choose from workshops in sound and video - basics or advanced - from the top technical ministry leaders in the state. Learn more about this special workshop at IBSA.org.

Direction for finding your spiritual gifts

All of us have experienced receiving a gift that we didn't know what to do with. We would rather receive gifts that are both a heartfelt gesture and truly beneficial to us. There is a gift that truly fits that. It's not a gift you have to request or put on a wish list. In fact, it's a gift you've already received. It's a spiritual gift. Learn more about finding your spiritual gifts at LifeWay.com.

IBSA eConnection is a weekly electronic newsletter designed to provide Illinois Baptists with relevant, useful information and resources. We pray it enriches your ministry and helps your church to grow and minister.