Category Archives: Discipleship

DiscipleShift Conference Comes to Kentucky

By Darryl Wilson | Published: June 18, 2013

I want to invite every person (pastor, staff, volunteer) who has a passion for and questions about discipleship to set aside October 24-25, 2013, to be a part of the DiscipleShift: 1 conference at Eastside Community Church, 2010 Catalpa Loop, Richmond, Kentucky. DiscipleShift: 1 is a unique two-day experience that will both challenge and stretch you. This is [...]

Also posted in Spiritual Growth | Leave a comment

10 Final Blog Thoughts

By Mike James | Published: June 26, 2012

It has been a joy to post a few blogs over the last four years about discipleship, assimilation, church growth and a few random thoughts.  Serving Kentucky Baptists has been a privilege and a great learning experience.  I am very grateful for the opportunity.  Here are ten significant thoughts I leave with you in this [...]

Also posted in Assimilation | 2 Responses

Is the Future Uncertain?

By Mike James | Published: June 13, 2012

Do you have fear when you think about the future or confidence and hope? Many people I talk with today including church leaders look in despair toward the future. None of us can predict the future. Often someone will have a minute of fame by being on the news or on the internet with a [...]

Also posted in Personal Journey | Leave a comment

The Best Assimilation Strategy

By Mike James | Published: May 19, 2012

Lots of bloggers including yours truly have written thousands of blogs on the issue of assimilation, which is how we keep the people we reach.  How do we create a climate of hospitality that causes people to desire to come back after they visit? How do we get people really involved in the life of [...]

Also posted in Assimilation | 2 Responses

8 Marks of a Genuine Disciple

By Mike James | Published: March 2, 2012

Aubrey Malphurs, in his book, Strategy 2000: Churches Making Disciples for the Next Millennium, discusses eight areas of what makes a genuine disciple.  This list or any list depicting lifestyle and behaviors is an outward response of an inward commitment to Jesus as Lord. This is not a legalistic exercise but can help us examine [...]

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Get Your Joy Back!

By Mike James | Published: January 26, 2012

One of the most obvious evidences of our walk with Christ is joy. The word joy appears 218 times in the Bible. Deep joy should be a constant quality in the life of a follower of Christ. Happiness is more dependent on your circumstances. Things go well at work or you get a raise you [...]

Also posted in Personal Journey, Spiritual Growth | Leave a comment

Is Sunday School Dead?

By Mike James | Published: January 20, 2012

I read an interesting article last week by Bob Allen called, “Can Sunday School be saved?” The title of the article caught my attention for two reasons.  One, I have been greatly impacted by Godly Sunday School teachers who loved me and made a huge difference in my life and two, if it is lost can it [...]

Also posted in Assimilation, Sunday School | 2 Responses

Discipleship Then and Now

By Mike James | Published: January 9, 2012

Here are a few thoughts on how discipleship is changing in the way churches approach it.     Then Church Training (Discipleship Training) now “Disciple Making.” Then Sunday Night 6PM now Anytime. Then At Church now Anywhere. Then Curriculum Driven now Highly Relational. Then Large Group (over 10) now  Small Group (under 10). Then Master Teacher [...]

Also posted in Church Growth | 2 Responses

7 Biblical Facts about Spiritual Gifts

By Mike James | Published: January 4, 2012

A new year is a good time to take a spiritual inventory. One great place to start is making sure you know what your spiritual gifts are. Ken Hemphill defines a spiritual gift as…“an individual manifestation of grace from the Father that enables you to serve Him and thus play a vital role in His [...]

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The Jesus Jacket

By Mike James | Published: November 28, 2011

I read an interesting yet disturbing article recently on intergeneration connections and the involvement of teens after they graduate from high school. The article was written by Kara Powell and it was called, “Faith that Sticks.” Studies suggest that approximately 40 to 50 percent of our students who are part of a church or youth group [...]

Also posted in Mentoring | 2 Responses