Don’t get me wrong. Most church vision and mission statements sound great. They usually include clear biblical values and been crafted to be interesting and memorable. But what difference do they actually make to the lifestyles of those who adopt them? In recent...
How to Make your Church Irresistible
Instead of creating another program, let us examine what the church would look like if everyone, regardless of special needs or extraordinary abilities, were embraced as a fully functioning member of Christ’s body. Regardless of cognitive processing, verbal...
Why the missional movement will fail
It’s time we start being brutally honest about the missional movement that has emerged in the last 10-15 years: Chances are better than not it’s going to fail. That may seem cynical, but I’m being realistic. There is a reason so many movements in the Western church...
Nine Misconceptions About Love
February is the month when almost every ministry theme revolves around love. Shades of red are the prevailing colors and hearts are the dominant decor. The people in our ministries are hungry for love. Unfortunately, the world has sold them a poor excuse for the real...
Q&A With Pastor Greg Bell
What is your title in the church? Senior Pastor How big is your church? We have about 230 members, but we run about 120 in Sunday School and Worship. How far in advance to you prepare for services? During November or December of the year, I begin to prayerfully seek...
Happy are Those who Share their Faith
It has been said, “There is one thing that believers and nonbelievers have in common: they are both uptight about evangelism.” Maybe that’s why statistics indicate that 95 percent of all Christians have never led another person to Christ. For many followers of Jesus,...
Is The Past Ever Behind Us?
I’ve been watching the news lately. I’m a bit addicted to it. The political battles that take place in our nation display a reality that illustrates an untenable situation. What is that reality, you ask? It is the reality that no one’s past mistakes are ever truly in...
Is There Value In Prophesy?
“The Antichrist will be Muslim.” “No, Jews would never accept him. He’ll be a Jew.” “Barack Obama is the Antichrist! Why can’t anybody see that?” Of course, President Obama is not the Antichrist. But I’ve actually heard this conversation Who hasn't?). The truth is, we...
Resolution for a Lifetime
For as long as people celebrated the “New Year,” I’m fairly convinced that they have been making resolutions. Each first day of January millions of people resolve to quit this or to start that or to change something else. However, each year those same millions of...
When the Sky is Made of Iron
Step into your prayer closet for just a moment. Do you hear it? It’s that dull, hollow sound which reverberates across the heavens as your prayers are banging against an iron sky. Do you ever feel that way? I know I do. I offer prayers and petitions to heaven, spend...
I Don’t Need Another Vision and Values Statement
Don’t get me wrong. Most church vision and mission statements sound great. They usually include clear biblical values and been crafted to be interesting and memorable. But what difference do they actually make to the lifestyles of those who adopt them? In recent...
How to Make your Church Irresistible
Instead of creating another program, let us examine what the church would look like if everyone, regardless of special needs or extraordinary abilities, were embraced as a fully functioning member of Christ’s body. Regardless of cognitive processing, verbal...
Why the missional movement will fail
It’s time we start being brutally honest about the missional movement that has emerged in the last 10-15 years: Chances are better than not it’s going to fail. That may seem cynical, but I’m being realistic. There is a reason so many movements in the Western church...
Nine Misconceptions About Love
February is the month when almost every ministry theme revolves around love. Shades of red are the prevailing colors and hearts are the dominant decor. The people in our ministries are hungry for love. Unfortunately, the world has sold them a poor excuse for the real...
Q&A With Pastor Greg Bell
What is your title in the church? Senior Pastor How big is your church? We have about 230 members, but we run about 120 in Sunday School and Worship. How far in advance to you prepare for services? During November or December of the year, I begin to prayerfully seek...
Happy are Those who Share their Faith
It has been said, “There is one thing that believers and nonbelievers have in common: they are both uptight about evangelism.” Maybe that’s why statistics indicate that 95 percent of all Christians have never led another person to Christ. For many followers of Jesus,...
Is The Past Ever Behind Us?
I’ve been watching the news lately. I’m a bit addicted to it. The political battles that take place in our nation display a reality that illustrates an untenable situation. What is that reality, you ask? It is the reality that no one’s past mistakes are ever truly in...
Is There Value In Prophesy?
“The Antichrist will be Muslim.” “No, Jews would never accept him. He’ll be a Jew.” “Barack Obama is the Antichrist! Why can’t anybody see that?” Of course, President Obama is not the Antichrist. But I’ve actually heard this conversation Who hasn't?). The truth is, we...
Resolution for a Lifetime
For as long as people celebrated the “New Year,” I’m fairly convinced that they have been making resolutions. Each first day of January millions of people resolve to quit this or to start that or to change something else. However, each year those same millions of...
When the Sky is Made of Iron
Step into your prayer closet for just a moment. Do you hear it? It’s that dull, hollow sound which reverberates across the heavens as your prayers are banging against an iron sky. Do you ever feel that way? I know I do. I offer prayers and petitions to heaven, spend...
Helping Your Small Group Thrive
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