Praising God when things are going well is easy, but how quick are you going to praise him when you feel overwhelmed? When your stress level is high, practice praising God for giving you the opportunity to grow. Let the strain you feel be a reminder to worship God for all he is doing in you and through you. As … Read More
Breaking the Cycle of Stress: The Big Sleep
Sometimes the best thing you can do to accomplish more is to get some much-needed rest. That is the idea behind the big sleep—a concept we came across several years ago and have made great use of ever since. Let’s say it is Thursday afternoon. You are trying to pull things together for an upcoming weekend commitment, but because of … Read More
Leaders Trust in the Lord
“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” —Psalm 37:3-4 (NLT)
McGavran on the Christian Mission
“Christian mission is bringing people to repent of their sins, accept Jesus Christ as Savior, belong to His Body the Church, do as He commands, go out and spread the Good News, and multiply churches.“ – Donald McGavran, father of the Church Growth Movement, missionary to India and China, one of the premier missiologists of the twentieth century December 15, 1897 … Read More
Mental Wellness: Communicating with God
Stop and think about the incredible privilege of prayer for a minute. You have the ability to communicate with God–the author of the world, your Creator–whenever and wherever you want. You don’t have to know a secret code, use any particular phrasing, or go through a priest. You can talk with God anytime. He is ready and willing to … Read More
Leadership Starts at Home
“For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?” – 1 Timothy 3:5 (NLT)
Managing Stress Monday: Let It Go
If we don’t develop the habit of decompressing after every stressful day, and even during each day, we will carry that stress with us everywhere. And the effects will devastate our ministries and our family lives. In order to decompress effectively, take these opportunities to decompress during each day: Alternate between high-stress and low-stress activities. Whenever possible, schedule activities you … Read More
Leaders Receive the Crown of Life
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” — James 1:12 (NLT)
John Broadus on Interpreting the Bible
“Be willing to let the Scripture mean what it wants to mean.” – John Albert Broadus (January 24, 1827 – March 16, 1895), dubbed “the world’s greatest living preacher” by Charles Spurgeon
Choose to Be a Church Of—Not With—Small Groups
When it comes to small groups, there are two primary types of churches–churches of small groups and churches with small groups. Drag will subtly latch itself onto a church when leaders make the conventional decision to operate with small groups instead of deciding to be a church of small groups. A church with small groups offers its people a buffet of ministry options to choose from–different programs and … Read More