We use these terms all the time when we are attempting to share about how our churches are doing, so let’s define what we mean by these three terms: plateau, health and growth. Plateaued: A plateau is a relatively level or stable period in the life of an organization. The…
I have a garden each year consisting of one type of plant… tomatoes. There is nothing like a ripe, juicy tomato on a good sandwich or all by itself. Fried green tomatoes are a food group all by themselves. My tomatoes do best when I keep a careful eye on…
Somewhere back in high school I heard someone say that everyone should claim a “life verse.” That means everyone should find a verse of Scripture that becomes the central theme of your life, a verse that you memorize and think about often as you face life day by day. For…
How do you define spiritual maturity? Whatever way or method you define it, most of us would agree that there is a direct connection to discipleship and spiritual growth or maturity. A lack of intentional discipleship equals spiritual immaturity. Many of our churches are attempting to get some handles on…
One of the most gifted writers of our day is Max Lucado. He has churned out book after book with creativity and professionalism. For a while, I read all that he wrote, but eventually I could not keep up with his pace. Of the books I’ve read, my favorite is The Applause of Heaven. …
Recently, I’ve developed a casual interest in a variety of television cooking shows. Ironically, I can’t cook much of anything–I specialize in eating. Oh, I can serve a mean peanut butter and jelly sandwich along with a decent pot of coffee, but that’s about it. I’m not sure why I…
Like American Idol, the recent television program, Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader, has been quite a hit for Fox and host, Jeff Foxworthy. Let’s face it, some kids are very smart, and often, they say the wisest things! Listen to some of the remarkable wisdom of children from…
Okay, let’s finish the helpful article by Tobin Berry at Pastors.com where he discussed A to Z steps that can help a person move to a deeper spiritual life in Christ. You can see steps A – H in A to Z Guide for Spiritual Growth, Part 1 and steps I…
A few weeks ago, I came across this guide for spiritual growth posted on Rick Warren’s Pastors.com by Tobin Berry. He called the piece an A to Z guide to a purpose-driven life. Berry wrote, “If you are looking to grow deeper spiritually in the coming months, try one of the…
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.