"The issue may be the biggest surprise of my ministry," writes Thom Rainer. "On the one hand, I am surprised at the decline of evangelism in most churches. But that is not the biggest surprise. The issue that perplexes and surprises me the most is that very few church leaders and members are even acknowledging the death of evangelism in their congregations and denominations."
Sometimes silence is not golden. Such as those times when we could avoid an embarrassing moment if only someone would have pointed out something about ourselves we weren’t aware of.
6 Ways to Embrace Culturally Diverse Worship
Some of us can imagine our church filled with people of multiple colors, nationalities, economic levels and political beliefs all worshiping God together. The problem with that scenario is that most of us imagine how great that vision would be as long as those various cultures, tribes and tongues are willing to make adjustments to worship like we do. “Not in my style” may really and truly mean “not my kind of people,” except when it comes time for the yearly youth group trip to Mexico. We are willing to go outside the church for culturally diverse worship but fail miserably to do so within. So why are we so ready to defer when we travel around the world but not across the aisle?
A Unique and Fresh Approach to Bible Reading
"A few years ago author and discipleship expert Bill Hull introduced me to a fresh approach to Bible reading through one of his books," writes Charles Stone. "He explained an ancient yet growing Christian devotional practice called lectio divina, which includes four phases: lectio, meditatio, oratio, and contemplatio. I took those four concepts and created my own acronym to make it more easily remembered: RIPE. RIPE stands for Read, Immerse, Pray, and Execute. Try reading your Bible in this way and see how it can freshen your experience. It’s also helpful to record insights you learn in a journal."
Love Is the Greatest Apologetic
It’s absolutely vital for the church to practice demonstrable love, particularly between its members. This may be the most powerful motive for our neighbors to trust Jesus.
SBC president urges churches considering leaving to ‘press pause’
The president of the Southern Baptist Convention has urged churches considering leaving the SBC to “press pause” until they hear from a new task force on cooperation that has not yet been named and will have less than nine months to work. Meanwhile, anecdotal reports are circulating about large numbers of churches either leaving the SBC or being reported to the SBC Credentials Committee for investigation — all due to actions taken at the June annual meeting related to women in ministry.
The apathetic response in the Episcopal Church to the Decade of Evangelism in the 1990s focused my attention on this issue. The lack of opportunities for ministry and the resistance to evangelism and church planting in the Episcopal Church would be the primary rasons the Episcopal Churc and I parted company in 2002.Leadership and Self-Awareness...
Sometimes silence is not golden. Such as those times when we could avoid an embarrassing moment if only someone would have pointed out something about ourselves we weren’t aware of.
6 Ways to Embrace Culturally Diverse Worship
Some of us can imagine our church filled with people of multiple colors, nationalities, economic levels and political beliefs all worshiping God together. The problem with that scenario is that most of us imagine how great that vision would be as long as those various cultures, tribes and tongues are willing to make adjustments to worship like we do. “Not in my style” may really and truly mean “not my kind of people,” except when it comes time for the yearly youth group trip to Mexico. We are willing to go outside the church for culturally diverse worship but fail miserably to do so within. So why are we so ready to defer when we travel around the world but not across the aisle?
A Unique and Fresh Approach to Bible Reading
"A few years ago author and discipleship expert Bill Hull introduced me to a fresh approach to Bible reading through one of his books," writes Charles Stone. "He explained an ancient yet growing Christian devotional practice called lectio divina, which includes four phases: lectio, meditatio, oratio, and contemplatio. I took those four concepts and created my own acronym to make it more easily remembered: RIPE. RIPE stands for Read, Immerse, Pray, and Execute. Try reading your Bible in this way and see how it can freshen your experience. It’s also helpful to record insights you learn in a journal."
7 Reasons Why Prayers Are Not Answered
God is not a cosmic genie who promises to answer every request if we just believe strongly enough in His power. There are qualifiers. Someone once said that God answers prayer in one of four ways: 1) “Yes,” 2) “No,” 3) “Wait,” or 4) “You’ve got to be kidding Me!”
The 3-Letter Word That Changed My Prayer Life
God’s initiating love humbles us. We didn’t choose him. He chose us. We sense God’s love in the reality that our hearts are still beating, our blood is still pumping, and our world is still spinning on its axis at the perfect angle and distance from the sun.
How to Overcome Objections When Asking for a New Group Leader
As we engage with a potential new group leader, we must help them move past reasons they may object to taking on the role.
A Discipleship Strategy Small Churches Can Actually Follow, with Darrell Stetler (Ep 38)
Darrell and Karl talk about the importance of discipleship in the life of the church – and as a central role in our calling as pastors.
Not Yet in the Fold
...the church needs clear lines of membership for those who are “inside” and those who are “outside.” But the church also needs a category for those who are unbelieving long-term friends, potential God-seekers as it were. Relational space and regular opportunities are needed where these can keep coming around in order to witness the love between believers that is such compelling evidence of our faith’s reality (John 13:35, 17:23).
God is not a cosmic genie who promises to answer every request if we just believe strongly enough in His power. There are qualifiers. Someone once said that God answers prayer in one of four ways: 1) “Yes,” 2) “No,” 3) “Wait,” or 4) “You’ve got to be kidding Me!”
The 3-Letter Word That Changed My Prayer Life
God’s initiating love humbles us. We didn’t choose him. He chose us. We sense God’s love in the reality that our hearts are still beating, our blood is still pumping, and our world is still spinning on its axis at the perfect angle and distance from the sun.
How to Overcome Objections When Asking for a New Group Leader
As we engage with a potential new group leader, we must help them move past reasons they may object to taking on the role.
A Discipleship Strategy Small Churches Can Actually Follow, with Darrell Stetler (Ep 38)
Darrell and Karl talk about the importance of discipleship in the life of the church – and as a central role in our calling as pastors.
Not Yet in the Fold
...the church needs clear lines of membership for those who are “inside” and those who are “outside.” But the church also needs a category for those who are unbelieving long-term friends, potential God-seekers as it were. Relational space and regular opportunities are needed where these can keep coming around in order to witness the love between believers that is such compelling evidence of our faith’s reality (John 13:35, 17:23).
It’s absolutely vital for the church to practice demonstrable love, particularly between its members. This may be the most powerful motive for our neighbors to trust Jesus.
The president of the Southern Baptist Convention has urged churches considering leaving the SBC to “press pause” until they hear from a new task force on cooperation that has not yet been named and will have less than nine months to work. Meanwhile, anecdotal reports are circulating about large numbers of churches either leaving the SBC or being reported to the SBC Credentials Committee for investigation — all due to actions taken at the June annual meeting related to women in ministry.
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