How to Get More Treats and Less “Tricks” in Your Offerings

Bob FranquizChurch

When I was a kid and would go “trick or treating”, I had this strategy for getting more candy than any of my friends. It’s so simple I’m almost embarrassed to say it. But I’ve learned that this same strategy has helped Calvary (the church I Pastor) increase its’ budget every year and disciple believers at the same time. Here it is: On Halloween, I went out earlier than all my friends. That’s it. My friends would wait until it was totally dark and them go out all together. Instead, my younger sister and I would go out early and … Read More

How to Godzilla-Size your Church’s Budget

Bob FranquizChurch

The economy is getting blamed for everything these days. I talk to church leaders and they’re terrified of the economy. Quaking.in.their.boots.scared. They remind me of the people in Tokyo when Godzilla would show up. Everyone would run frantically when the fire breathing monster would show up and start knocking over buildings. I don’t know if you remember the original Godzilla movie (Not the abomination that starred “Ferris Bueller”), but the only way the people defeated Godzilla was by taking him on head on. There’s a leadership principle here. Blaming the economy. Running from the economy. Or putting God directed plans on hold because of the economy … Read More

The Bloodthirsty Vampire’s Guide to Increased Giving

Bob FranquizChurch

I know it’s weird, but I grew up watching vampire movies. Not the lame ones starring Tom Cruise and Antonio Banderas. The old, 70’s style ones where Dracula could have doubled for an Elvis impersonator. There’s one thing that I love about the 70’s vampires. One thing that made them so effective. In fact, this one skill could really help us church leaders in many ways. These vampires knew when to strike. They. had. impeccable. timing. There are rhythms to church life and those of us who understand those rhythms experience the blessing increased giving when we leverage the seasons … Read More

3 Buzz Killing Mistakes that Churches Make

Bob FranquizChurch

As leaders we all make mistakes. That’s the occupational hazard of being a leader. Mistakes. Happen. But there are some mistakes that happen needlessly that inflict all kinds of damage to our church and our potential to reach people. I call them the “Buzz” killing mistakes. Here they are:  Thinking that “Buzz” happens by accident. Not realizing the momentum that “buzz” brings Missing strategic moment that create buzz for your church There are lot more. But I think you’ll agree that these 3 are whoppers! This month in Outreach Ninja, we have best selling author Mark Hughes (author of Buzz … Read More

The Secret that Makes Reaching People (Almost) Effortless

Bob FranquizChurch

I remember planting Calvary 11 years ago and having difficulty reaching people. It seemed so hard to get someone to attend one of our services. Then. Something. Happened. In a word: buzz. There’s something powerful about buzz. Buzz is that intangible interest that gets people talking about something. I discovered that when Calvary got buzz, reaching people became (almost) effortless. People started inviting their friends and family at record rates. We started seeing people make first time decisions to follow Jesus in our services every week. Before buzz, outreach felt like pushing a truck up hill…exhausting. Afterwards, it was like … Read More

Sunday Stuff

Bob FranquizChurch

– Awesome day at Calvary! – We launched our Capital campaign today. – Our goal is to raise $1,000,000 between now and the end of 2012. – You can read about it at www.blueprintcampaign.com – We’re adding the video of the service tomorrow – The response has been incredible. – We did some advanced meetings with our leaders and raised 1/3 of the money before today! – It’s a great place to be: 1/3 of the way to our goal on day 1. – Our goal is to raise the money so we can be serious contenders in buying property. … Read More

Don’t Take Relationship Advice from a Eunuch!

Bob FranquizChurch

There’s more bad information about outreach than there are crooks in Washington. Why I speak thus? Because it seems like every book I read every seminar I attend by the “experts”, the more misinformation they share. Here’s some of the nonsense I’m hearing: 1. “Churches with limited budgets can’t do outreach well because it takes lots of money to reach people.” 2. “Direct mail is dead. Social media is the only way to reach people.” 3. You can’t do both evangelism and discipleship in your services. You must pick one or the other.” Seriously, listening to these guys is like … Read More

Eliminate the 4 Most Annoying Words a Pastor Hears

Bob FranquizLeadership

There are 4 words that Pastors hate to hear. Words that are like nails running down a chalkboard to any preacher. I’m sorry to make you read them, but here they are… I’m. not. getting. fed. It hurt me just to write them. They’re annoying. Frustrating. But sometimes… they’re true. Sometimes people really aren’t growing. I’ve learned that there are times when churches don’t offer people a clear path to grow and christians feel stuck in their faith. The truth is, this is more common than we might realize. One of the biggest reasons that people walk out the back … Read More

The Ninja Secret to Unlimited Leaders

Bob FranquizLeadership

I am deeply committed to seeing leaders raised up at every level at Calvary. I know that’s important to you as well. There really is a secret to raising up lots and lots of leaders. It’s not calling staffing companies and combing through resumes. Makes. me. want. to. gag. Instead, the key to unlimited leaders is making your leadership system part of the DNA of for church. Everyone needs to know about it. Even though who don’t participate. They need to know that everyone who enters your leadership development process gets developed, discipled, and dispatched into greater levels of ministry. … Read More

3 Scary Lessons from a Leadership Collapse

Bob FranquizLeadership

I grew up in Boston, so to say that I’m a Red Sox fan is a severe understatement. I love the Red Sox. I cried when they won the Word Series in 2004. Needless to say, the last week has been rough for me. The Red Sox fell apart. Completely. Then to make matters worse, they fired their manager. Say. it. ain’t. so. But in the midst of all of this madness, there’s 3 huge leadership lessons for us to learn as church leaders:  1. The Red Sox didn’t think through the chemistry of the team when they brought in … Read More