I’m Steve Lawes
Certified Church Consultant
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Church in Decline? Plateaud?
Helping Churches Thrive
Utilizing a process we call “Virtual Church Consulting” we work with you through a series of steps to help pinpoint problems and offer solutions. This all online church consulting method is effective and affordable.
Internet Impact (Learn about your digital footprint)
Community Statistics (Learn about your community)
Effective Outreach Ideas (Learn how to reach your community)
Church Marketing (Help your community learn about your church)
Internet Impact
Your website is the “digital foyer” for the church. It is the first impression for almost everyone that visits your church.
Community Statistics
Demographic information is helpful in getting an overview of what is happening in your community.
Church Marketing
Church marketing is a tool to help people who are in need of what your church offers to be able to connect with you.
Effective Outreach Ideas
An outreach strategy is a specific set of tactics intended to ultimately attract new people to your church.
Meet Steve Lawes
Steve Lawes is a Certified Church Consultant. He has been the lead Pastor of Keys Vineyard Church in Big Pine Key since 1992. He has a Bachelors Degree in Bible and Theology from Berean University and Masters and PhD Degrees from Atlantic Coast Theological Seminary. He lead the Cuba Missions Team for Vineyard Missions from 1995-2005 and traveled to Cuba more than twenty times helping to plant churches and build up local leaders. He served as the South Florida Area Leader for the Association of Vineyard Churches for ten years. He also founded the Jesus Moment Bible Institute and Seminary in 2014 which has a student enrollment of over 2000. He has written three devotional books, Daily Psalt Intake, Daily Sage Intake and Daily Strength Training which are now out of print but are currently available as free e-books.
Free Ebook - Nine Point Church Consulting Strategy
Recent Posts from Church Consultant
Ideas for Improving Church Attendance
At Church Consultant, we are looking for ideas to improve church attendance. Church attendance has been declining in many parts of the world, a trend that concerns religious communities and leaders. Addressing this issue requires innovative approaches and a deep understanding of the factors contributing to the decline. Here are five ways to improve declining attendance at church:
Embrace Technology and Social Media: In an era where technology is integral to daily life, churches can utilize these tools to reach a wider audience. Live streaming services, creating engaging content on social media, and having a user-friendly website can make church activities more accessible. This approach is particularly effective in attracting younger generations who are digital natives and may feel more comfortable engaging with the church online initially.
Community Engagement and Social Work: Churches have traditionally been centers for community support and social work. Churches can demonstrate their relevance and importance in the community by increasing involvement in local issues and providing services like food banks, counseling, and youth programs. This helps those in need and shows a practical application of faith, attracting those who want to make a tangible difference in their communities.
Inclusive and Diverse Practices: Inclusivity in worship can play a significant role in attracting a diverse congregation. This includes recognizing and celebrating the church community’s different cultures, languages, and backgrounds. Additionally, addressing contemporary issues and challenges people face and supporting various social causes can make the church more relevant to a broader audience.
Focus on Youth and Children’s Programs: Young people are the future of any community, which is valid for churches. Developing robust and engaging programs for children and youth can attract families and help nurture a new generation within the church. This can range from Sunday school enhancements to youth groups and fun and spiritually enriching activities.
Adapt Services and Sermons to Modern Life: Modern life is fast-paced and often stressful, and many people seek solace and guidance in their faith. By making sermons and services more relatable to contemporary life, addressing modern-day challenges, and offering practical spiritual advice, churches can become more relevant to people’s daily lives. This relevance can encourage regular attendance as people find value and support in the teachings and community.
Improving church attendance in a rapidly changing world requires a blend of traditional values and modern approaches. By embracing technology, engaging in community service, fostering inclusivity, focusing on youth, and adapting to everyday life, churches can increase attendance and strengthen their role as vital and relevant pillars in the community.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Church Consultant Preparing for 2024
As 2024 dawns, at Church Consultant, we are here to help pastors face myriad concerns that shape their ministry and influence their congregations. Identifying and addressing these top five concerns is crucial for effective pastoral leadership:
Addressing Political and Social Divisions: One of the most pressing concerns is navigating the increasingly polarized political and social landscape. Pastors must find a way to preach inclusivity and love while addressing critical social issues from a biblical perspective. Balancing this without deepening divisions within the congregation is a delicate task. Pastors must be peacemakers and bridge-builders, fostering a community where diverse opinions are respected and dialogue is encouraged.
Mental Health Crisis: The ongoing mental health crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to impact communities. Pastors are often on the frontline, providing support to those struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. They must equip themselves with primary mental health knowledge and resources and know when to seek professional help. Pastors must also focus on their mental health to avoid burnout and provide the best care for their congregation.
Digital Ministry Balance: While digital platforms have become indispensable for outreach and maintaining connections, finding the right balance between online and in-person ministry is challenging. Pastors must continue to innovate in the digital space while nurturing the personal connections from in-person gatherings. Striking this balance is crucial in catering to a diverse congregation that includes tech-savvy members and those who prefer traditional worship.
Financial Stewardship and Sustainability: Economic uncertainties and changing patterns of church giving pose significant challenges for financial stewardship. Pastors must lead their churches in sustainable financial practices, including diversifying income streams, stewarding resources wisely, and being transparent about financial needs and spending. This also involves teaching and encouraging biblical principles of giving and stewardship within the congregation.
Engaging the Younger Generation: Engaging with and retaining younger generations remains a critical concern. Young people often seek authenticity, social justice, and practical applications of faith in their lives. Pastors need to find ways to connect with younger members, address their questions and concerns, and involve them in leadership and ministry. Creating an environment where young people feel valued and heard is essential for the church’s future.
In addressing these concerns, pastors in 2024 must be adaptable, empathetic, and proactive. By focusing on these critical areas, they can effectively lead their congregations through the complexities of modern ministry, fostering resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking communities of faith. Church Consultant looks forward to partnering with you if you are looking for help with these issues, or anything else impacting your church,
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Thanksgiving 2023
Last week in our Kingdom Revealed series; we talked about mountains, which provides us a nice segway into Thanksgiving and Advent.
Isaiah 25:6–9 (NIV)
6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; 8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. 9 In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
We know from earlier in Isaiah that this is the mountain of the Lord’s temple.
Isaiah 2:2 (NIV)
2 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
We will dig more into this verse next week as we talk about Advent, but for today, we will focus on Isaiah 25:9, where Isaiah says, “Rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” This exhortation reminds me of one of my favorite go-to passages that works well at Thanksgiving.
Philippians 4:4–8 (NIV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
We need to think about the thoughts that remind us of God’s goodness toward us. Let’s call it “thanking thinking.”
When we remember what God has done for us, it helps us to understand and rest in His faithfulness. Even when facing difficult circumstances, we can think about how He has moved in our lives and on our behalf repeatedly. This type of thinking produces in us a thankful heart.
One of the things that made Isaiah thankful was knowing the eternal nature of God’s blessings upon him. Let’s look again at Isaiah 25:6-9.
Isaiah 25:6–9 (NIV)
6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; 8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. 9 In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
Does it remind you of what we have seen in Revelations 21 and 22?
Revelation 21:1–4 (NIV)
1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God will be with them and their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
As followers of Christ, we can have a thankful heart because we rest in His faithfulness and hope for what lies ahead. We will look at all this and more at Keys Vineyard Church this weekend, so join us in person or online.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Testimonials
“Steve and his team at Keys Vineyard Church have built a church that has done an inspiring job reaching their community. Steve is a treasure trove of experience and has continued to prioritize learning and growth throughout his more than 30 years of ministry in a way few pastors have. You’ll get a lot out of connecting with him!”
“I watched first hand as Steve experienced the devastation of hurricane Irma in his town of Big Pine Key, Florida. The town was destroyed, the church building rendered unusable and the staff impacted personally. I watched a leader rise to the need of his community and minister in a situation that not very many could. He has a powerful voice of experience and wisdom earned the hard way.”
“Steve Lawes is a valuable coach/ mentor. I’ve watched Steve over the last thirty years build a substantial outward focused church with disciples who do what Jesus did. He has inspired leaders of churches with simple/tested ideas to develop leaders and grow churches.
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“Steve Lawes is an outstanding coach. He is authentic, creative, and personable. He has more cutting edge ideas than any pastor I know in regard to evangelism and meeting the needs of people in his community.”
Interested in Becoming a Church Consultant?
We are pleased to be partnering with the Jesus Moment Bible Institute and Seminary to be able to offer Free Church Consulting Training. Even if you are not looking to become a certified church consultant, the free church consultant training will be beneficial for your personal ministry.
One of the greatest questions Jesus asked was “Do You Want to Get Well?”
I t would seem that the answer was obvious. But getting well for the man who had been not well for a very long time meant that he would have to do something different. It is not easy to change, but it always starts with a first step.
Take that first step now by sceduling your no obligation, free thirty (30) minute Zoom meeting with us today. You have nothing to lose and it may be your first step to a new and healthy way of doing and being the church.
Don’t Wait Any Longer. Take The First Step Toward Getting Well Today!
