Have you visited a Starbucks lately? If you have, chances are better than not that you received a smile, were asked your name and, if you didn’t like your drink, were offered a replacement with no questions asked. Traveling as much as I do gives me plenty of opportunities to hit a local Starbucks and, even though I tend to prefer local establishments over chains, I greatly respect and appreciate the consistent experience I get at Starbucks. That’s why Ryan Stigile’s recent article about why people like Starbucks more than the church caught my attention.

At Church Community Builder, we believe that if you hire a bunch of people with the same skills, personality, and passions as you, you are destined to fail. A team that represents diversity in culture, giftedness, and backgrounds is critical for well-rounded ministry success.

Did you know that smartphones and tablets now account for more than 50 percent of global consumer electronics sales? Mobile technology is quickly making desktops and laptops seem obsolete. When things are moving this fast, how are church leaders supposed to respond and keep up?