The National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago conducted a recent survey that discovered that clergy are America’s happiest and most satisfied workers. According to the study:

Top 3 Most Satisfying Jobs

1. 87% of clergy are very satisfied with their job
2. 80% of firefighters are very satisfied
3. 78% of physical therapists are very satisfied

Compared with an average satisfaction of 47% for all workers

Top 3 Happiest Jobs

1. 67% of clergy report being very happy
2. 57% of firefighters are very happy
3. 57% of transportation ticket and reservation agents are very happy

Compared with an average happiness of 33% for all workers

As the Chicago Tribune put it, “money really can’t buy happiness.” So the next time you start thinking that ministry is tough, just remember that you have the privilege of serving in America’s happiest and most satisfying profession.

[via The Christian Post & Chicago Tribune]

Mark Batterson of National Community Church (Washington, D.C.) recently analyzed four ways the church can engage culture:

1. Ignore it
   The more we ignore culture the more irrelevant we’ll become. And if the church ignores the culture, the culture will ignore the church.
2. Imitate it
   We can imitate culture, but imitation is a form of suicide. Originality is sacrificed on the altar of cultural conformity. If we don’t shape the culture, the culture will shape us.
3. Condemn it
   We’ve got to stop pointing the finger and start offering better alternatives. If the church condemns the culture, the culture will condemn the church.
4. Create it
   We can compete for culture by creating culture. In the immortal words of the Italian artist and poet, Michelangelo: criticize by creating. At the end of the day, the culture will treat the church the way the church treats the culture.

According to LifeWay Research, 7% of Americans are formerly churched. Only 6% of this segment is interested in returning to their previous church. And if they do finally visit a church, here is how willing they are to be noticed:

• 11% would be willing to identify themselves as a visitor when visiting a church for the first time
• 63% prefer to wait until at least the second visit to let anyone know they are visiting
• 26% desire to slip in and casually introduce themselves after the service

Scott McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Research explains:

Their desire for a welcoming church environment is not satisfied when members suddenly act nice as they learn someone is a visitor. It should come as no surprise that the formerly churched prefer to size up the church before they identify themselves as a visitor.

The larger a church is, the more difficult it is to identify who is a visitor, particularly when visitors wish to remain anonymous. Thus, it is important that churches are continually thinking about how they can create a friendlier culture, while maintaining their authenticity.

[via Monday Morning Insight]

Here is a roundup of what we were talking about one year ago:

• How to Find a Church for Easter
  [April 15, 2006]
• Umbrella Greeters
  [April 17, 2006]
• Students vs. Parents in the Landscape of Religion
  [April 17, 2006]
• Commitment Issues
  [April 18, 2006]
• Smells like Atmospherics
  [April 18, 2006]
• Fourteen Weekend Services
  [April 20, 2006]
• Making the Music the Message
  [April 20, 2006]
• Chameleon Church
  [April 21, 2006]

Lesa Snider King, the chief evangelist of iStockphoto.com, recently an excellent tip with MinistryCOM on how to create an engaging postcard with stock photography:

You have precious few moments to grab someone’s attention, and the simplest way to do it is by using strong, effective imagery.

The next time you create an event postcard, spend less time on the text or copy, and more time on choosing an image that communicates what the event is all about. Pick something eye-catching, something powerful, and colorful. After all, if you can’t grab the person’s attention with your image, it’s unlikely they’ll read your copy!

Of course, this principle applies to any church marketing you do. Effective communication requires that you can first get the individual’s attention.

Related Reading:
- 10 Big Web Photography Mistakes
- 15 Questions for the Perfect Postcard
- Direct Mail Technique :: Using a #12 Envelope
- How to Get What Your Postage Pays For

“Those who speak up shape culture.” - Ron Luce :: BattleCry

Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church (Seattle, WA) has ten cautions and encouragements for preachers. Some of my favorites are:

1. Read the biographies of great preachers.
In reading these, we can learn about their family life, devotional life, study habits, etc.

7. Preach Jesus.
Jesus’ name should be spoken repeatedly throughout a sermon so that it is clear which God you are speaking of. Jesus should be the hero of every sermon, the answer to every question, and the hope for every person. Jesus promised that if He is lifted up He would draw people and the key to church growth is the exaltation of Jesus.

8. Learn from the feedback of your people without being defensive.
Certainly there are always neatniks and critics, but listening to the questions and disagreements of people always helps you improve.

9. Give your sermons away.
The web is the new front door and many people will visit your church through your website long before they attend a church event. By giving the sermon away for free, a preacher’s ministry can continue for years into the future to a much broader audience than they have on a Sunday.  

10. After you’ve preached, let it go and sleep like a Calvinist.
Don’t listen to your sermons over and over beating yourself up. Once you’ve preached a sermon, let it be a finished work and move on. Passion, courage, and boldness are keys to preaching that simply cannot exist in someone who is too analytical or critical of themselves, so lighten up, have fun, and let it fly in Jesus’ name.

And do not forget to read all ten.

In summary, keep God first and do everything you can to effectively and relevantly communicate the timeless message of the gospel and scripture to the unique audiences you are called to reach.

[via Monday Morning Insight]

At this year’s C3 Conference, Dr. Ed Young of Second Baptist Church (Houston, TX) shared his thoughts on the link between church growth and children’s ministry:

If you want to build your church, you need to put your best with the kids.

If you love people’s kids, you’ll get their time and attention.

[via Tony Morgan]