The below excerpt is from my book Activate: An Entirely New Approach to Small Groups. This revised and expanded edition shows church leaders how to make their small groups work. Putting time boundaries on groups not only helps people grow, it also facilitates more eager sign-ups and takes the pressure off the system. Too often, in the Christian bubble we’ve created, we … Read More
Pride and the Preacher
Today’s guest post comes to us from Peter Mead for EvangelicalFocus.com. One of the greatest problems for preachers is pride. It is an insidious and relentless foe that will look to creep in at every stage of a life spent in ministry. What might we be proud about? Knowledge. The preacher is a public speaker who is seen as an … Read More
Managing Your Time for Higher Levels of Living (Part 1)
As your time goes, so goes your life. There’s no way to fulfill the purposes God has for you unless you steward your time wisely. You can’t create more of this limited commodity, but you can learn to utilize what you have been given in a way that propels you to a higher level of living. Pray, “God, what is … Read More
Schuller on the Power of Preparation
“Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation.” – Robert H. Schuller, pastor, evangelist, author, and motivational speaker September 16, 1926 – April 2, 2015
Enter to Win a FREE Cruise When You Register for Pastor Conference!
Didn’t want you to miss this special announcement: For the first time ever, if you are one of the first 75 to register for the 2019 Renegade Pastors Conference, you will be entered to win a FREE 3-day, 4-Night Cruise! To give everyone a good opportunity to win, we can only keep this open to the next 51 people. With … Read More
The Most Successful Schedule for Small Groups
“In the semester-based system, groups last for approximately three months. At the end of that three-month semester, there is a month to six weeks where groups are not meeting. Then the new semester begins and everyone is in a group again for three months. Then they have another break. When small group members are in a system that is … Read More
Five Questions I Ask of Every Sermon
Today’s guest post comes to us from Scott Slayton for Patheos.com. One of my life’s greatest privileges is preaching God’s word week in and week out. I have been doing this for over fifteen years now and steadily look for ways to grow in my skill as a preacher. One of the unfortunate things I have discovered is that I … Read More
The Call to Expand God’s Kingdom: Raising Up New Leaders
Part of your role in shepherding your flock well is to connect your people in service. At the most supreme level possible, that means raising up those leaders who are called into full-time ministry work. Think of the call to ministry as the highest level of service your people can attain. It’s not a level they can aspire to based … Read More
Wagner on Knowing Your Gifts
“Just as important as knowing what gift God has given you is knowing which gifts He hasn’t given you. Many Christians try for years to function with gifts they never had in the first place, and this doesn’t do the Lord’s work much good. It’s like trying to hear something with your knee or throw a ball with your nose. … Read More
What to do when your wife is burned out: Understanding the situation
Today’s guest post comes to us from Laura Christopherson for the North American Mission Board. As a church-planting family, you’re on the adventure of a lifetime. You’re running full steam ahead and there she is right beside you, your sweetheart, running her heart out. She understands that God has called both of you. And she’s all in! But one day, … Read More