Defining the Essence
On my way to the airport today for my next two days in Denver and then Tampa, I realized that I left my computer at home. Losing 30 minutes compromised my finely tuned planning, which has developed over [...]
Creative Problem Solving
Years ago, I digested materials related to "creative problem solving" (CPS) and practiced the skill with the Auxano team at one of our annual off-sites called "Resync." I am amazed at how valuable the experience can even though it is [...]
Geeks and God: Church Unique Shout Out
While at Concordia Lutheran in San Antonio today, TJ, their tech guru, mentioned that the Geeks and God podcast/resource did a nice promo of Church Unique. Check out the three minute review at 12:20 in the podcast entitled "Tech You Can't Live Without." [...]
Excerpt from Andy Crouch's Culture Making
From the chapter "Gestures and Postures," Andy Crouch clarifies how the Gospel writers worked to contextualize their message about Jesus Christ to the culture.How have Christians related to the vast and complex enterprise of culture? The answers are as varied as [...]
Relevant Questions for 2009
An Auxano team member is reading through C.S. Lewis in 2009. She sent me an excerpt from the Screwtape Letters where Screwtape (a demon) is speaking. He says that God wants us to ask and answer simple, relevant questions. Therefore [...]
Life Elevated
I just finished a week with the kids in Park City, Utah- an annual getaway for inspiration, excitement and reflection. This year we were snowed-in an extra day due to Christmas eve blizzard with over 2 feet of snow. The [...]
Changing Metrics
Developing metrics is an essential aspect to the work of a vision consultant. At Auxano, we embed the starting point for good metrics into the Vision Frame. This side of the frame we define as either the Mission Measure or [...]
Bad Times Draw Bigger Crowds
My friend William Vanderbloemen at Faith Search Partners just sent over this NYT article on church attendance in difficult economic times. When it comes to stewardship and generosity so many church's rely on the plug and play programs, which obviously can be very helpful. [...]
Ambient Intimacy: The Opportunity of Social Networking
I entered the world of social networking somewhat reluctantly about a year ago. At the time, Church Unique was set to release in four months; initial encouragement from the publisher and best practice from other authors pushed me over the [...]
Welcome to Your Journey: Slogan or Story? Part 3
When Gateway Community Church relocated and changed their name, they worked with Auxano to clarify their vision and to build a compelling brand. After their Vision Frame was developed, the team collaborated to determine a brand promise of "Authentic Excitement." [...]
Live for a Change: Slogan or Story? Part 2
In reflecting on yesterday's post, several great church marketing campaigns come to mind. One is Sugar Creek Baptist Church's "Live for a Change" initiative. When Auxano navigated the Vision Pathway with this church, they also contracted with us to build [...]
Slogan or Story?
We spend a great deal of time helping churches build their brand as we communicate vision visually. One part of the brand is a tagline- a short phrase that communicates the promise or strength of the church and its vision. [...]
