Thursday Roundup: Seven Articles and a Photo Essay

3 Mindset Shifts for Change Agents

I believe the church has the talent and resources to once again become influencers of culture and agents of change. Instead of waiting for the future, we can create the future. But we’re going to have to change the way we think. Read more

I Am An Old-Fashioned Christian

I get the books. I read the articles. I see the news. Christianity seems ready to move on. And I realize anew: I am an old-fashioned kind of Christian. Read more

How God Grows You Through the 6 Phases of Faith

Did you know that God uses a very predictable process to build your character? I call it the Six Phases of Faith. If you don’t understand the process, you’ll get discouraged when problems arise. You’ll wonder, “Why is this happening to me?” But if you understand and cooperate with what God is doing – in your life and with your faith – you’ll develop great strength. It’s like stretching a muscle to make it stronger. Read more

7 Things Healthy Teams Check at the Door

The team I now serve with works well together – most of the time. We get along well with each other. My theory is it may have to do as much with what we don’t bring to the time we spend together as it does what we bring to the that time. Let me explain. Read more

Distinct icons and symbols that define the Catholic Church

"This photo essay about the icons and symbols of Catholicism will remind you why the Reformers were so set on simplicity of worship." Tim Challies View now

Family Ministry: Three Truths and Three Tips for Engaging with Families in Your Church

Now, in a growing movement in churches throughout the world, ministers are suddenly turning to these parents and shouting, “It’s time to engage!” The problem is that many of them don’t know how or why, and part of the reason that they don’t know how is because we as church leaders aren’t quite certain why parents have disengaged in the first place. The result is frustration. The purpose of this article is to take away some of that frustration by helping you to understand three essential facts about families like the ones in your church—facts that a team of researchers worked with me to discover by surveying hundreds of parents in more than a dozen congregations throughout North America. Read more

Community Matters: The Role of Leadership Transformational Groups

The quality and kinds of leaders you have in your community will drastically affect the health of your community. Read more

Five Suggestions for Christians in the Midst of the Sexual Revolution

Hardly a week goes by without another social media parade marching by in celebration of the sexual revolution.... How should evangelical Christians and evangelical churches respond? Here are five suggestions.... Read more