Many new guests will walk through your church’s front door in December, maybe even some members who have been absent for a long time. During these special days, make sure you are ready to make everyone who enters your church feel welcomed and at home. Hospitality is biblical. Romans 12:13…
Okay, we all overdid it at the table. I could not resist three desserts, chocolate pie, pecan pie, and fresh apple cake. So what now? How do we keep the true spirit of thanksgiving going? Here are a few post thanksgiving suggestions: Get out and walk! You will feel better…
I am in a car dealership waiting room as I compose this blog. I put off for a long time taking this Camry in for the much publicized recall that was issued months ago. To be honest, I did not think it needed it nor did I look forward to…
We’ve looked at five layers of disciple making. Here they are: “Platform Discipleship”…the preaching and teaching by your pastor and staff. Utilizing your Sunday School. To keep the P’s going (hey I’m a preacher get over it) let’s call this layer “Public Discipleship” because it has the most people already…
One of the most effective, powerful, and efficient ways to make disciples is “one on one.” This method of discipleship is also called Mentoring, Life Coaching, or Spiritual Coaching. There is awesome power in “one on one” discipleship relationships because they transform lives. My own life has been impacted by…
We’ve looked at “platform discipleship” or the process of preaching and teaching by the pastor and the Sunday School making disciples. Let’s now look at probably the most popular layer of discipleship in a local church. Discipleship Classes/ Small Groups This is also called “program discipleship” and is where most…
This is the second of our five part series on making disciples. The most overlooked opportunity to enhance disciple making in a local church is through the Sunday School! For this to happen Sunday School teachers and leaders must see their role as not just “teaching the Bible” but “making…
This series of blogs will examine five levels or methods of discipleship that should and can be happening in every church. I welcome your feedback and ideas. Let me know how you are making disciples in your church. The first level we will examine is the Pastor’s (Staff) Discipleship Ministry.…
In their book on the emerging church, Eddie Gibbs and Ryan K. Bolger identify a new understanding of leadership that characterizes this new church movement. What can we learn from this list and do you resonate with some of these ideas? I would love to hear back from you. •…
Today I have good news and bad news. Reminds me of the defense attorney who said those same words to his client… “First the bad news… Your blood test came back, and your DNA is an exact match with that found at the crime scene.” “Oh, no!” cried the client.…
Two encounters are critical. First, the leader encounters God in His Word and is changed. Second, the leader guides the group to have a life-changing encounter.