Thursday's Catch: "Mobilizing People Out of the Pews" and Much More

Mobilizing People Out of the Pews

Ministry where a few people are doing the work and the church is expecting them to keep doing it can be terribly frustrating. How do we mobilize people in the rows of our congregations to action, to ministry, to mission? Here are three things that need to happen to mobilize your people. Read More

Do Not Plant or Pastor a Church in Your Head

...there’s a danger of adopting a model of church without giving proper consideration to the people and culture God is sending you to plant or pastor. In short, we need a vision for the people before we develop a vision for a particular model of church. Read More

The link to "Exete Your Culture" unfortunately no longer connects to that resource. As I come across articles on exeting the culture and subcultures of a community and/or region, I will post them on Anglicans Ablaze. Knowing the culture and speaking its "language" is not only critical to the successful planting of a new church but also to the effective revitalization of an existing church.

Shame, Guilt, and Fear: What 1,000 Americans Avoid Most

Churches may be emphasizing the wrong selling point of the gospel, suggests LifeWay. Read More

God’s Sovereignty and Glory

God is sovereign in creation, providence, redemption, and judgment. That is a central assertion of Christian belief and especially in Reformed theology. God is King and Lord of all. To put this another way: nothing happens without God’s willing it to happen, willing it to happen before it happens, and willing it to happen in the way that it happens. Put this way, it seems to say something that is expressly Reformed in doctrine. But at its heart, it is saying nothing different from the assertion of the Nicene Creed: “I believe in God, the Father Almighty.” To say that God is sovereign is to express His almightiness in every area. Read More

Pastoral Leadership Capital

Parts 1 and 2 of Marty Duren's article series on pastoral leadership capital. Part 1 Part 2

8 Reasons Every Church Leader Needs Accountability

As I began ministry decades ago, few people were talking about accountability. More are using that language today, but we still have much room for growth. Here’s why every church leader needs accountability.... Read More

Try This: Summer Story Time for Kids

Host a half-hour story time for children one morning a week during the summer. Read More

Six Details to Include in Your Church Staff Bios

Staff bios help guests—and church members—relate better to those who are charged with the spiritual care of a congregation. While they don’t have to be exhaustive, there are a few items to consider including in each church staff member’s bio. Read More

Running to the Pantry of Good Works

Are we praying, reading the Bible, and doing what is right to earn or keep God's favor? Read More

6 Ways to Avoid Delayed Adulthood

Here are six basic steps to help the saplings of the next generation add rings as they reach for the light. Read More

Six Ways Men Can Support Women’s Discipleship

Male clergy and laity who want to enable women’s ministry often don't know how to get involved or what to do.Read More

Preaching the Gospel with Words: Why There’s No Other Way

We marginalize evangelism when we say the good news is social action. Read More

Context

Ed Stetzer tackles the difficult issues of contextualization. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

How Government Support Saved Me

Signing up for food stamps changed my view of poverty in America. Read More