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Church Membership
We have never had official "membership" in our church, but I'm thinking about initiating it. I'm curious as to what experiences other pastors have had with church membership. What are the pros and the cons? What requirements should we have for people to become members? What is taught in the membership classes and how extensive are they? What reasons are there for having or not having church membership? Read the responses.
Leading on Empty: Refilling Your Tank and Renewing Your Passion
A Review of Pastor Wayne Cordeiro’s book
Wayne writes, “One of the greatest lessons I’m learning (and yes, I am still learning it) is that rest is not sin. Taking a break doesn’t mean you’re lazy, or that you’re not valuable. Catching your breath now and then doesn’t mean that you’re not carrying your load, or that you are somehow less than committed to your church, your company, or your calling.” Read the article.
“I’m Here. I’m Always Here.”
Lisa Cooke
“I’m here, I’m always here. If you seek Me, you’ll find Me.” I heard the Lord tell me that this week. While studying on His constant Presence within the life of a child of God, He simply said something I’ve known in my head as long as I can remember, but not always experienced. We make a mistake when we try to measure the reality of His truths by our human awareness. This is why faith serves us so well in spiritual matters. Read the article.
Thinking (and Ministering) Outside the Box
An Audio Interview with Pastor Dean Hawk
In a brand new audio interview, Pastor Dean Hawk of Colorado Springs shares great insights about how creativity can make our communication of God’s Word more effective. Jesus used natural things around him (birds, coins, seed, lamps, etc.) to convey spiritual truth. Dean explains why he uses unicycles, boa constrictors, coffins, backpacks, swords, and trash to illustrate his messages.
Listen or download for free.
Especially for Easter
Medical Description of the Flogging and Crucifixion of Jesus
Great Thoughts Regarding the Cross, and the Suffering, and Death of the Lord Jesus Christ
Thoughts on the Resurrection of Christ
Keeping the Tithe Holy: How Three Churches Reconnected Worship to their Giving
Pastors Rick Sharkey, Glen Johnson, and Mark Garver
Three different pastors share how God directed them to bring a “worship component” into the receiving of tithes and offerings in their congregations. None of these churches did this in order to increase the giving - they did it to lead their people into truly honoring and worshipping God in their giving - but all of them have seen a significant increase in the giving of their people. Read the articles.
Spiritual Discipline – The Key To Transformation
Rev. Marty Blackwelder
When I was a kid, we would always dye Easter eggs to put in our baskets. We would take the white eggs and dip them over and over into the cups of liquid containing the various colors of dye until the shells began to absorb the color. In reality, that’s what happens when we place ourselves under the influence of God’s presence... Read the article.
Purchasing Land
By Charlie Daniels
I was involved in one ministry and they were looking at purchasing a piece of land – it was a $2 million dollar purchase – and I told them that they needed to check the wetlands and the easements. They were very excited about the property, but when they checked the wetlands, they found that it ran across the property in strips that made the land totally unusable for what they wanted. Read the article.
Second Fiddle
By Beth Jones
This article is for all the frustrated "second fiddle" people. That is, those of you who serve in ministries or organizations as the #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #10 person—not the #1 person. You're not the President, CEO, Senior Pastor, Head Honcho in the driver's seat. Sometimes you can be very frustrated in that role, because in your own right you are a leader. You know you are gifted, called and anointed to accomplish, succeed, influence and make a difference. Read the article.
Tre Nuovi Articoli in Italiano
- Risolvere il Problema Principale per cui le Persone abbandonano la Chiesa Locale
- Fede Superficiale – Miti sulla Maturità Spirituale (prima parte)
- Fede Superficiale – Miti sulla Maturità Spirituale (seconda parte)
Read all of our quotes by visiting our Quotes Page.
MATURITY
“Maturity is the ability to do a job whether you’re supervised or not; finish a job once it’s started; carry money without spending it. And last, but not least, the ability to bear an injustice without wanting to get even.”
- Fred Cook
ORGANIZATION
“A first-rate organizer is never in a hurry. He is never late. He always keeps up his sleeve a margin for the unexpected.”
- Arnold Bennett
PRAYER
“When we work, we work; but when we pray, God works.”
- Max Lucado
PROGRESS
“If in the last few years you haven’t discarded a major opinion or acquired a new one, check your pulse. You may be dead.”
- Gelet Burgess
DISAGREEMENT
“Several years ago I met a gentleman who served on one of Walt Disney’s original advisory boards. What amazing stories he told! Those early days were tough; but that remarkable, creative visionary refused to give up. I especially appreciated the man’s sharing with me how Disney responded to disagreement. He said that Walt would occasionally present some unbelievable, extensive dream he was entertaining. Almost without exception, the members of his board would gulp, blink, and stare back at him in disbelief, resisting even the thought of such a thing. But unless every member resisted the idea, Disney usually didn’t pursue it. Yes, you read that correctly. The challenge wasn’t big enough to merit his time and creative energy unless they were unanimously in disagreement!”
- Charles Swindoll