Bill, with your remarkable 40 years in professional ministry, focusing on church planting and revitalization, could you share with us some key insights from your journey?
Sure, I’d be happy to. The first thing I’ve learned, and it’s quite significant, is that it’s a lot more fun being a church planter than a church revitalizer. When you’re a church planter, everyone joins you because of your mission, your vision, and because you’ve connected with them on a profound level. It’s about building something new and exciting from the ground up.
That sounds quite fulfilling. How does that compare with church revitalization?
Well, when you go to a church that already exists and needs revitalization, it’s a different ball game. You’re joining them, and there’s this expectation that you will mold yourself to their vision, their mission, their values. Often, these are the very elements that might have put the church into decline and necessitated revitalization in the first place.
Interesting. What other lessons have you learned over these four decades?
Another key lesson is about the evolution of culture and the church’s response to it. If the church doesn’t evolve with the changing culture, it will continue to fall further and further behind. It’s not about changing the gospel message—that remains constant—but how we present it and the learning tools we use must change to stay relevant.
Can you give some examples of these changes?
Certainly. Over the 40 years, I’ve watched the ‘worship wars’ move through some serious phases in churches. These included debates over whether a particular translation of the Bible was valid – I even had an elder tell me that the Good News Bible was part of a communist plot to overthrow Christianity in the US. I’ve seen fights over the use of guitars, drums, keyboards, and moving away from classical organ music.
Those sound like significant conflicts. How have they impacted the churches?
These wars still seem to go on in some churches. The biggest fight I witnessed was the introduction of screen technology in churches. The resistance was intense. I can’t tell you how many times I heard, « You’ll put a screen in my sanctuary over my dead body. » I’ve seen pastors fired for even suggesting the use of alternative music styles or technologies.
With such resistance to change, how do churches move forward?
That’s the crux of the issue. Churches get so caught up in theology wars, worship wars, and disputes over church discipline that they often neglect the most important thing they’re called to do: make disciples of Jesus. Almost every church I work with, and I’ve been working as a consultant for over 20 years, is so focused on what it wants and what it prefers that it has become completely insular, as if they built walls between them and their community.
How can churches overcome this challenge?
There’s an old saying that the only ones who love change are wet babies, but it always amazes me how people are willing to adopt technology and make changes in their personal life, but will fight tooth and nail to maintain an antiquated status quo in their church. The bottom line is that it’s pretty faithless and contrary to the New Testament. I’m a fan of Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians that he would do whatever it takes to reach some. To the rich, he’d be rich; to the poor, he’d be poor; to the slave, he’d be a slave; to the free, he’d be free. He goes on to say that he will do whatever it takes, presumably as long as it’s legal, ethical, and moral, to reach the community.
What’s the takeaway from these experiences?
What I’ve learned over the years is that those churches that come to understand that the most important people on this planet are not us, but those who are outside the church and outside the faith, are the churches that grow. They do baptisms, make disciples, and grow. It’s about shifting the focus outward and embracing change for the sake of reaching and transforming lives.
As the author of over a dozen books, can you discuss the main themes or principles that you emphasize in your writings? How do these principles contribute to the growth and vitality of churches?
In my writing, I primarily delve into two key themes. The first is spirituality and discipleship. Being someone with ADHD, I’ve found that traditional spiritual practices often don’t resonate with me. This personal experience led me to author two books specifically about spiritual practices. Post-publication, I discovered a broader appeal; it turns out, you don’t need to have attention disorders to seek fresh and innovative ways to engage with your spirituality. My books, ‘Prayers for People Who Can’t Sit Still’ and ‘High Voltage Spirituality,’ cater to a need that’s increasingly evident in our fast-paced culture.
The second theme, which I frequently revisit, is church growth in our rapidly evolving cultural landscape. While writing these books, I was acutely aware of the plethora of church growth literature available. However, I noticed a gap: many of these books are heavy on theory but light on actionable guidance. My approach to writing is straightforward and practical: identify the problem, present a solution, explain why this solution is effective, and demonstrate how to implement it. In essence, my books are rich in practical advice, steering away from dense theological or theoretical discourse.
Tell us about your role as a Managing Partner of The Effective Church Group. What services does the group provide, and how do you assist churches in their consultation needs?
The Effective Church Group stands as the oldest independent church consulting firm in the United States. Our longevity isn’t just because we were the first; it’s largely due to our robust succession plan. Founded in 1984 by Bill Easum under the name ’21st Century Strategies,’ our company has evolved significantly over the years. About 23 years ago, my ministry work and writings caught Bill’s attention, leading him to invite me onto his team, initially in a technology role. His mentorship was pivotal, and within two years, I advanced to an associate consultant. I steadily climbed the ranks, and about eight years ago, upon Bill’s retirement, I was honored to be named his successor as the head of The Effective Church Group.
From its inception, our group has been a comprehensive service provider in church consultation and leadership development. We specialize in aiding churches committed to growth—specifically, growth through discipleship within their communities, aligning with both the Great Commission and the Great Commandments. In today’s post-COVID era, we’ve adapted to offer extensive remote services, significantly reducing costs for our clients. Our cohort training and coaching have proven highly effective, though we continue to provide on-site and off-site consultations, along with personalized executive coaching. Our team comprises seasoned experts in church growth, revitalization, turnarounds, and a strong contingent of successful church planters.
Understanding that not every church can afford on-site consultations, Bill Easum’s founding vision was to ensure access to practical and affordable resources. Our website, EffectiveChurch.com, hosts over 1,700 ‘how-to’ blog posts, covering a comprehensive range of topics essential for effective, faithful, and sustainable church operations. We also publish Net Results magazine, a longstanding resource since 1980, offering practical ideas for church growth. Additionally, the Growing Church Network represents our cohort of pastors dedicated to continuous coaching and training.
My personal mission is to amplify my ministry of disciple-making. With 40 years of successful pastoral experience, I am committed to exponentially increasing baptisms and discipleship across North America through my efforts and the endeavors of The Effective Church Group.
Given your background in teaching at Phillips Seminary the courses on preaching, evangelism, and leadership, how do you believe these areas contribute to the overall growth and health of a congregation?
I firmly believe that there are three foundational courses essential for pastors dedicated to the Great Commission and nurturing growing churches. There are five core practices that every effective pastor must focus on:
Conspicuous Spiritual Practices: These are vital for personal growth and setting an example for the congregation.
Church Mission Alignment: The mission of the church, as set by its founder, is clear – make disciples. This means not only increasing their number but also enhancing their quality. Better disciples invariably lead to more disciples.
Vision Discernment and Attainment: A pastor must be adept at identifying and achieving the church’s vision.
Team Development: Building and nurturing a strong team is crucial for any church’s success.
Fund Development: This is essential for sustaining and expanding the church’s work.
Leadership is the thread that weaves through all these practices, and it’s a key focus in my leadership course. Preaching intersects with each of these areas, particularly in vision discernment and attainment. The pastor, as the chief Vision Officer, must not only communicate the church’s vision to the congregation but also embody it within the community.
Evangelism, the ultimate goal of the church, is sadly often undervalued, except for preaching, which is frequently misinterpreted as merely a ‘feel-good’ exercise. Effective preaching should do more than make you feel good; it should inspire transformation and a different way of living. Too often, preaching is seen as an extension of Christian education rather than a catalyst for life transformation.
In summary, without a solid foundation in these three areas, a church is unlikely to be healthy or experience growth.
You hold a Doctor of Ministry in Church Multiplication Movements. How has this specialized education influenced your approach to church planting and growth strategies?
As an undergraduate, I had a transformative one-on-one conversation with Win Arn, a pioneer of the American church growth movement. I expressed my dedication to evangelism and nurturing strong disciples of Jesus Christ. Win advised me that the most effective evangelism practices involve starting new churches. This guidance shaped my first professional ministry in 1986, where I initiated a church in Dothan, Alabama. The approach back then was grounded in door-to-door outreach and fostering relationships with people in the community.
Later, my wife and I embarked on church planting ventures in Atlanta and Seattle. It was in Seattle, amidst our church planting efforts, that I pursued my Doctor of Ministry degree. My focus was on church multiplication movements – specifically, the concept of planting churches that in turn, plant more churches. This led me to study the house church movements in China and India. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, I concluded that North America wasn’t quite primed for a house church movement. However, since the mid-2010s, there’s been a noticeable shift in our church culture, opening doors to alternative church planting methods.
One of the most crucial lessons I learned is the importance of deeply understanding your target audience. Knowing your neighborhood and neighbors allows you to tailor ministries, events, and sermon series that truly resonate with them. Unfortunately, many churchgoers are so entrenched in church culture that their outreach efforts often miss the mark, failing to connect with the community effectively. As a church planter and student of church planting, the necessity of immersing oneself in the culture became increasingly clear to me. It’s about understanding people, thinking like them, and finding effective ways to integrate Jesus’s message of hope and salvation into their everyday lives.
I firmly believe that Jesus’s promise of a full and abundant life extends beyond spiritual devotion. It encompasses a life of purpose, healthy relationships, and a degree of financial freedom. This doesn’t imply a life free from challenges or financial wealth, but rather a life marked by purpose, resilience, and financial responsibility, in line with the principles of faith. When churches focus on multiplying this kind of ministry, they tend to experience growth.
As the publisher of Net Results magazine, could you elaborate on the significance of church growth and evangelism in today’s context? How has the landscape evolved since the magazine’s inception in 1980?
Where to begin with such a question is a challenge in itself! The landscape of church growth and evangelism has undergone a seismic shift since 1980. In fact, the change has been so profound, especially post-2020, that strategies from even five years ago are no longer as effective. The fastest-growing religious demographic in the United States is the ‘Nones’ – those who are religiously uncommitted. There’s even a report suggesting a waning interest in spirituality in North America, though this isn’t something I’ve personally observed in my interactions with unchurched individuals or through my writing staff at Net Results magazine, who are deeply connected with church leaders across the United States and Canada.
A recent study highlighted that a little over 65% of North American churches are in decline. This figure, though alarming, is actually an improvement from the over 85% decline or plateau we’ve seen over the past decade. However, I suspect this decrease in the decline rate may be attributed to the rapid closure of many churches in this post-COVID world.
So, what’s the significance of church growth and evangelism in today’s context? It’s more crucial than ever. Churches have to urgently refocus and revamp their efforts in disciple-making and evangelizing within their cultural context. The trends are clear, and without a strategic shift, the trajectory of church closures is clearer still. It’s not just about filling pews; it’s about adapting to our evolving cultural landscape to continue spreading the message and mission effectively.
Your passion is to help pastors become Church Growth Catalysts. Can you share specific strategies or practices that you believe are essential for pastors to fulfill this role effectively?
Remember high school chemistry? A catalyst is something that’s added to a stable situation to create a reaction, yet it remains unchanged itself. That’s exactly what I aim to help pastors become – catalysts for their church’s growth. Through training and ongoing coaching, I empower pastors to be the leaders who spark and sustain growth in their congregations.
I specifically focus on helping the pastor become the face of the congregation in the community, effectively bridging the gap from community member to congregational participant. Once there’s a steady stream of visitors, and the congregation starts embracing and connecting with them, these visitors often turn into returning guests. And it’s these returning guests who become some of the most effective evangelists in any church. New members are invaluable because they haven’t yet invited everyone they know, making them a prime source for increasing visitor numbers.
Of course, there’s much more to it than this. Essentially, the pastor’s role is not just to prime the pump for an initial influx of visitors but to be the ongoing catalyst that maintains and enhances this flow.
Managing members versus transforming lives is a key theme in your description. How do you guide pastors in striking a balance between administrative responsibilities and their transformative role within the congregation?
I need to be cautious with my answer here – it might not be really well-received by some church lay leaders! Essentially, the lead pastor should have access to information, but they shouldn’t be the ones creating or gathering it. Their main role is to ensure that all church activities – from ministries to events – align with the mission of making disciples. Another critical task for a pastor is to set a clear vision and guide the church toward it. To do this effectively, pastors need the freedom and time to focus on leading these areas, which means delegating many traditional pastoral tasks to church members.
This approach is based on the principle found in Ephesians 4:11-13, where the staff’s role is to equip the members to carry out the church’s work. While leaders need to know how to perform these tasks, their main responsibility is to encourage others to take them on, allowing the leadership to concentrate on the mission and vision.
A practical example of this is seen in Acts 6:1-3. When there was a problem with food distribution in the early church, Peter and the church staff didn’t handle it themselves. Instead, they asked the congregation to choose seven spiritually mature members with a knack for making sound decisions to manage the food pantry. Peter and the staff explained that taking on this task would distract them from their primary mission.
In essence, while pastors do have some administrative responsibilities, their primary role is more about life transformation and growing the church through discipleship, rather than managing members.
With five adult children and a busy professional life, how do you personally manage work-life balance? What advice would you give to pastors and church leaders seeking to maintain a healthy balance in their own lives?
The key to achieving work-life balance lies in mastering the art of saying ‘no,’ along with embracing delegation and empowerment. Pastors too often fall into the trap of ‘Pastor Fetch,’ a game where church members and boards expect them to handle almost everything, and that includes a myriad of tasks that aren’t their responsibility. Unfortunately, many pastors blithely accept those tasks and add more and more ‘monkeys’ to their circus. Then, in due time, they find themselves overwhelmed – especially when they begin to realize that juggling monkeys is an impossible task.
When pastors are clear about their priorities and practice self-differentiation, work-life balance naturally follows. Let’s face it: perfect life-balance is a myth. There are times when we have to work tirelessly, but there are also those times when we need to prioritize ourselves and our families. A healthy pastor, like any leader, navigates this balance daily.
This is where the value of a coach comes in. A good coach consistently ensures that pastors are taking necessary time off and maintaining their energy and creativity. I have to rely on several coaches to balance my business. Every church leader, especially pastors, benefits immensely from ongoing coaching. This helps them be as effective as possible while managing healthy boundaries and setting effective priorities. And that’s precisely what I offer through The Effective Church Group and through my coaching cohort with the Growing Church Network.