In my previous blog, I listed 10 so let’s look at the first two. 1. Healthy Churches preach and share the Gospel in their community. They are driven by the Great Commission and believe in the power of the Gospel to transform lives and communities. They utilize a variety of…
In a new survey by George Barna, he suggests that a vast majority of believers experience little transformation in their lives and what changes they make tend to be based on generic influences rather any deeper intellectual or spiritual struggle. Despite technological advances that have increased communication, Barna suggests Christian…
Christmas is about a fulfilled promise. For over 1,000 years the Jews had been waiting for the Messiah to come. Over 300 times God had inspired the prophets to prophesy concerning the promise of the coming of Christ. The result of this was that the O.T. prophets had predicted almost…
We talked in our last blog of how Starbucks wants to be third place in your life right after home and work. Here are some suggestions for making church third place. I would love to hear some of the ways your church is doing this. Make it fun. Should church…
As I write this I am watching it snow outside. There is a field behind our house with a great panoramic view of the country and the beautiful effects of fresh fallen snow on the ground. I’m glad it’s Saturday morning and I am at home. Let me confess 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…
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. •…
Have you noticed how many things have gone retro… clothes, cars, furniture, appliances. Vinyl records are making a comeback. I wish I had kept my leisure suits because I am sure they will return soon! Maybe even my bell bottom pants I wore in college. Some are nostalgic and want…
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.
In John 13:34-35, three times Jesus said, “Love one another.” Your group is the ideal place to practice and launch the kind of love for one another that shows the world that we are His disciples.