How does God rank in your life? I am not trying to produce guilt by the question. I am simply encouraging self-assessment. Does your investment of time, energy, and resources clearly communicate to others that He is your top priority? If He is your priority, how much time do you…
I recently read an article by Thom Rainer entitled 6 Characteristics of Disciple-Making Churches on Outreach Magazine In the article, Dr. Rainer listed six common expectations of churches who are effective in making disciples. In these churches, members are expected to… attend an entry point class, attend an open group…
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…
I grew up with Kodak. They made all the film that we used to take our family pictures. At one time they were one of the leading companies in the world. I was greatly surprised to hear recently of the company’s bankruptcy filing. A Judge in New York is giving…
Easter is coming. Are you ready? Will you make a great first impression? Review these tips and plan to do so: Found People Find People! Invite someone to attend with you on Easter Sunday. People are very receptive to attend church on Easter so think about a neighbor, work associate,…
Like many of you I get up every morning, make my coffee and pick up the morning paper, usually glancing at the obituaries. Here is the deal… if my name is not listed; I go about my normal duties for the day. If my name is in the paper well…
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!
One of the joys of serving Kentucky Baptists is visiting and preaching in churches across our state. I love our city churches and our country churches and all those in between. This year I have been in a number of our churches and have served as an interim. On my…
As we look back 10 years to 9/11 all of us remember where we were and exactly what we were doing on that dreadful day. It was a day that changed all of us in many ways. Even the numbers 9/11 denote a day that causes us to explode 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.
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.