Friday's Catch: 'Wheel and Heal: Medical Bus Wins Award for Church Innovation' And More

Wheel and Heal: Medical Bus Wins Award for Church Innovation
After hospitals closed in rural Tennessee, church volunteers stepped in to provide basic care, cut hair, and pull teeth.

A lack of health care facilities and providers in rural areas is a nation-wide problem in the United States and it is growing worse.

A Tiny Pantry Becomes a Blessing Box
I originally was skeptical about the usefulness of what are known as "little pantries" or "blessing boxes," but I have come to see that they meet a need in an unexpected food emergency when social service agencies, community food banks, and church food pantries are closed. The challenge is keep them well-stocked with food that a family or individual may be able to use in such a food emergency. It is, however, a challenge that can be overcome.

Theology of Middle-Earth
Louis Markos reviews Austin M. Freeman's Tolkein's Dogmatics.

How Can Churches Create Space for Organic Mentoring Relationships?
Organic mentoring relationships enable pastors to steer their congregations with discipleship that harnesses the changing cultural currents.

God Has Not Given You a Stone
Jacob Croach writes, "I want to put a spotlight on this truth: God has not given you a stone." He goes on to explain.

Top 10 Guidelines For Growing Worship Leaders
"Worship leaders: what areas are you still working on? Which parts of your ministry can you improve on?" Mark Cole shares 10 guidelines he still reviews to make sure that he stays on track.

No Is a Perfectly Good Answer
As Christians, we get sucked into the social expectations of superficial niceness. We think saying "yes" to every request is what good Christians are supposed to do. This wasn't what Jesus did. Jesus said "no." In fact, Jesus said "no" a lot.

Thom Rainer: 7 Reasons Why Church Outreach Programs Fail
Thom Rainer explains why most church outreach programs fail.

Living the Fruit of the Spirit
Through the Church Evangelism Institute, the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College hosts cohorts of senior pastors across North America who are committed to growing both their personal and congregational evangelism and outreach passion. Josh Howlett, small groups and community pastor at Hill Country Bible Church in Pflugerville, Texas, shares why it is important for leaders to develop their character.

Developing our character is also important when we are not a church leader.