Okay, do I have your attention? Everyone is talking about the Cooperative Program these days. Suddenly the CP is headline news. It’s in all our state papers and there are lots of opinions about where CP giving will go in the next five years. My intentions are not to debate…
Evangelism or Discipleship? For which will your church be known? I have heard the debate before…do we want an evangelistic church or a disciple making church? Which is more important: discipleship or evangelism, and where should a church put their energy and focus? Are we to just go deep in discipleship…
Religion News Service reports that a new Gallup Poll found that Americans’ self-reported church attendance has increased slightly since 2008. When asked “How often do you attend church, synagogue, or mosque?” 43.1 percent of Americans in 2010 said they attended church “at least once a week” or “almost every week.”…
Many of us have been impacted by an old book written by a young brilliant German theologian named Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the book, The Cost of Discipleship. Bonhoeffer could have left Germany to teach in America and avoid what was happening in Germany in the 1930’s. He struggled with the decision. Ultimately…
In a recent conference, Reggie McNeal described three shifts needed for churches to move from program-driven to missional-driven. These are very insightful for all church leaders and for a strategy of disciple making. 1. Changing from internal ministry to an external focus: This isn’t an “either-or” situation, but a movement…
What are some key words about New Testament discipleship? Consider these: EVERYONE… Discipleship is a process that involves all Christians. We mistakenly think it is just for super Christians or those in ministry, but it is for all who follow Christ. We are all disciples who are at different stages…
Oxymora is the plural of oxymoron. The English language comes with some very interesting combination of words. Here are some of my favorite oxymoron words, which are words that contradict each other but are used together to express our thoughts. Here are some examples: “Perfect mistake”…how can that be since…
As I write this, my wife and I are in a motel room waiting for our furniture to arrive at our new house in the morning. Our old house is not ours anymore and our new house just became ours a few hours ago. Actually the mortgage company says we…
Long before churches and corporations were creating vision or mission statements, Jesus gave the church His mission statement in Matthew 28:16-20. We are on mission to make disciples. God called a people out to Himself that he would use to bring lost people to Himself. 1 Peter 2:9, “But you…
Jesus’ style of discipleship reflects how He taught and trained His disciples. It is truth with application allowing questions.
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.