What's behind the conflicts that involve worship, preaching, and style in the established church? We talk through what may be causing those conflicts and how you might think better about it. Subscribe: iTunes ● Google Play Follow us on Twitter: @estchurch, @jowiki, @micahfries, and @samrainer. Read more [...]
Discipleship is a key purpose of the church, but defining how to make a disciple is a bit like nailing potluck Jell-O to a church flannel graph. Moving a baby Christian towards maturity is no easier than raising a child. Lots of parents have lots of opinions on how to raise children. Just as many church leaders have differing takes on what it means to train a dedicated disciple within the body of Christ. Discipleship is messy. You change a lot of figurative diapers. It’s an oversimplification, Read more [...]
Singleness is not incompleteness. The wounds of singleness are loneliness and frustration. The purpose of singleness is not prolonging adolescence. Single people reveal the church’s love for Christ.
In this episode, we talk through our relationship with the megachurch down the road. Is the megachurch hurting the smaller local church? Is this a problem with the pastors or leadership? What can normal size churches do? Subscribe: iTunes ● Google Play Follow us on Twitter: @estchurch, @jowiki, @micahfries, and @samrainer. Read more [...]
How can you equip your congregation to give generously? Here are seven items to consider. Teach why sacrificial giving is necessary for God’s mission. If what you are giving does not change your lifestyle, then it’s not sacrificial. Not all giving is sacrificial, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Leaving a great tip is generous, but the extra $20 doesn’t change how you live. God’s mission requires a body of believers to give in such a way that it changes them. Sacrificial Read more [...]
Addiction begins as a worship problem and ends up replacing God with idols. The spiritual desires driving addiction are more powerful than the physical desires. We don’t worship the value of creation; we value the worship of the Creator. Addiction always over-promises and under-delivers.
In this week’s episode, we discuss some of the lessons we’ve learned pastoring established churches. Subscribe: iTunes ● Google Play Follow us on Twitter: @estchurch, @jowiki, @micahfries, and @samrainer. Read more [...]
Several years ago, I started using Facebook, then Twitter. My first reaction to Facebook was, “This is silly.” I figured it was a waste of time. My first reaction to Twitter was, “What is this for?” I figured it was useless. My gut reactions were wrong. I’m deeply embedded in both platforms now. I post a few times daily on each. I often interact with church members on Facebook. Twitter is my go-to source for news and commentary. My daily routine includes social media. As Read more [...]
Three notable articles I read this week: Jason K. Allen – 10 tips for leading kids to Christ. If you are seeking to influence little ones toward Christ, you will find these ten tips helpful. Chuck Lawless – 10 causes of pastor/staff conflict. Chuck shares the ten most common causes of conflict among pastors and staff. Jenny Funderburke – The KidMin problem that never goes away. Jenny shares a few practical steps to help with the problem every kids’ ministry experiences: Getting Read more [...]
In this week’s episode, we explore what it’s like to be a young pastor shepherding an older church. Many thanks to our listener, Joel Bucklin (@pastorbucklin), who submitted the topic. Subscribe: iTunes ● Google Play Follow us on Twitter: @estchurch, @jowiki, @micahfries, and @samrainer. Read more [...]
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