Thursday is for Discipleship “Churches grow best not when they aim at church growth as much as when they serve the peace/shalom of the whole city.”[1] Why? Two reasons: one, it is the biblical model of ministry. Jesus, Paul and the early church all seemed to give significant attention to the poor and the downcast … More Required: Serving the Peace (The Shalom) of the City
Monday is for Discussion A day after Easter is a good time to think not just about resurrection joy, but Christian faithfulness in light of the extraordinary lavishness of God’s grace and love for us. Evangelism is not only done by individuals, but is a function of the body working together to show the beauty … More Loving People Enough to be Hated
Tuesday is for Preaching “Everyone was happy.” “It was strictly forbidden to preach to the other prisoners. It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating. A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their (the communist’s) terms. It was a deal; … More An Essential Aspect of Preaching–Guts
Monday Discussion [Revised and updated from 2010] Developing an “intensely local” vision for church planters and others who just want to make a difference. Thesis: To really get to know a community, you have to “press the flesh.” You need to develop real relationships with real people. This will involve changing both our mindset and … More How to Do Reconnaissance into the Neighborhood’s Soul
Fellow blogger Evan Curry, posted this “poem-ish” (his word) offering on September 16 and I thought it was worth passing on. Evan appended the following comment to his post: [“I put this poem-ish piece as a “note” on my Facebook once, and I decided to post it here because it is a good reminder to … More “I Used to Like Jesus …”
Weekend Musings Here’s a post I have been hanging on to for some time. It is relevant for all believers but especially perhaps for church planters. Kimberley Wagner is a writer and pastor’s wife. She writes for Revive Our Hearts. I hope it will challenge your heart to pray and your mind to think more … More Generation Lost: Losing the grandchildren of the baby boomers
Friday is for Heart Songs Do your soul a favor. Go online and find Keith Green’s song from 1978. Listen to it. Listen to it again. Listen to it and read Matthew 25:31-46 like Keith suggests in the liner notes below. It has been 32 years since brother Keith wrote this song but it is more … More The Church is Still Asleep in the Light. When Will She Wake Up?
Tuesday is for Discipleship You aren’t growing as a Christian because you don’t need him. “But,” you say, “I do need him. Without Christ I have no forgiveness of sins, no relationship with the Father, no way to heaven, no hope of eternity in fellowship with Christ and all those who have loved his appearing” … More You Aren’t Growing as a Christian Because You Don’t Need Him
Wednesday is for Prayer Great Prayer for Church Planters May God be gracious to us and bless us, and make his face to shine upon us, Selah That your way may be known on earth, your saving power among the nations. (Psalm 67:1-2) If you are reading the Psalms through in a month, the morning … More A Church Planter’s Prayer
Tuesday is for Preaching Much to do and little time so here is an offering to inspire you to pay whatever price to be holy so that your preaching will be powerful. What follows is from Kairos Journal. What Makes Great Preachers—E. M. Bounds (1835 – 1913) Edward McKeendree Bounds was an American Methodist minister … More Be Holy if You Would Preach with Power
