By: Paul Nickerson
Many congregations impatiently want to get started on a vision “process”, and they fail to lay the groundwork that is essential. It is critical that a church be deeply grounded in scripture and spiritual development before it can begin a “process”. Taking the time for small group Bible study of how God […]
For the week of August 08, 2005
Change: The First Step in Discipling
By: Tom Bandy
No addict is going to live differently until they have experienced the impact of a Higher Power. No pagan is going to life differently until they have experienced the impact of Jesus the Christ. The discipling process begins when “strangers to […]
For the week of August 01, 2005
Missionary Training Centers
By: Tom Bandy
Train your board, elders, or lay leaders with a different attitude this year. The church is not in the business of multiplying members, but of training missionaries. Worship is a reunion of missionaries for thanksgiving, upgraded training, and encouragement. The parking lot and the […]
For the week of July 25, 2005
Think System, Act Program
By: Tom Bandy
Planners need to think about the overall flow of the discipling process, but make concrete the programs that will deliver the anticipated result of mature Christians and missionaries. Especially consider how individuals will be mentored into the next steps of spiritual growth, and how various […]
For the week of July 18, 2005
Starting Small Groups
By: Bill Tenny-Brittian
While serving conventional churches, many have experienced difficulty in getting small groups up and running. It might make you wonder what makes it so difficult to get them started. Here are a couple of thoughts, as well as a few suggestions, for getting them […]
For the week of July 11, 2005
Transitioning Isn’t Easy
By: Bill Easum
Thom Rainer just completed a study of churches that have successfully transitioned themselves without changing pastors. Out of 50,000 examples, he could only come up with thirteen, which goes to prove that it is easier to plant a new church than to transition an […]
For the week of July 04, 2005
How Can We Measure Congregational Effectiveness?
By: Bill Easum
People are always asking me if it is possible to measure the effectiveness of a church. My answer is “Yes!” The problem isn’t – can it be measured – but, by what standard do we measure the effectiveness of a church. […]
For the week of June 27, 2005
Organizing Cell Groups Around “Helps”
By: Tom Bandy
The spiritual gift of “helps” is one of the most common among church members. Many people are gifted to do odd jobs, church maintenance, and practical tasks that improve the appearance of the church or serve the physical needs of people. The […]
For the week of June 20, 2005
What Goes Around Comes Around
By: Tom Bandy
Countless rural churches provide refreshment booths at county fairs, fall festivals, and innumerable community events. They have pie booths, ice cream booths, turkey dinner booths, craft booths, and entertainment booths. The problem is, all these booths charge money for something. Churches are […]