Church health is a popular topic these days. The idea is that if a church is healthy it will grow and fulfill it’s mission. If it is sick it will not be able to accomplish much. A church’s overall health is a key to growth and effectiveness. Healthy churches need…
The Super Bowl is not in the books yet but it has generated lots of excitement and hopefully it will be a great game to watch. Many of you are acquainted with football great Jerry Rice but here is an interesting side note to his story. Jerry Rice was the…
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…
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…
Youth specialist Joe Ball shares with Mike James how we as leaders and parents can be more effective in impacting our students to become disciples. We must reach this generation for Christ!
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…
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…
OK…what is a Chris-ter? Well, it is those folks who attend our worship on Christmas and Easter only, hence Christmas and Easter equals…Chris-ters. When I pastored we always had an increase in worship on those two Sundays because the Chris-ters really came out and boosted our attendance. So what should…
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…
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, “The Lord be exalted!” Psalm 40:16 Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I really love turkey and pie and all the traditional food that makes up Thanksgiving, fellowship with…
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.