I know it is hard to separate “your favorite Bible verse/passage” and “your favorite discipleship verse/passage,” but take some time to think about it. Then hit “Leave a comment” at the end of the post. Share your passage and why it is your favorite. Encourage others with your comment! For…
Disciples are not super-Christians. They are followers of Jesus Christ. At the same time, disciples are more than converts. They have moved beyond profession of faith into a lifelong pursuit of living life like Jesus. Some have come to view discipleship as a extra activity for the those who have…
What would be the result of parents who celebrated the birth of a child and then went about their own pursuits, neglecting the child? The child would suffer from neglect and die. The parents would be guilty of child neglect and abuse. Observers would be condemning. In the words of…
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…
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…
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…
As I write this blog I am spending the night with my 90 year old Mom in the old house where I grew up. My Dad and his brothers and sisters (eight of them) were all born in this very house. I am doing an interim pastorate near where my…
Rick Ezell has written a great article called 5 Must-Know Facts about First-Time Guests. Church leaders need to be aware of these five significant facts about first-time guests looking for a church home. It has been my experience that churches that are growing pay lots of attention to folks who…
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…
Anyone who has ever picked up a guitar has heard of the late, great Chet Atkins. He is a guitar legend. In many ways he helped popularize the guitar like no one else. He played a style that many of us have sought to copy called “finger or thumb style”…
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.