Top 10 Posts of October, 2012
Did you miss a day or two? Here are my top 10 posts of October, 2012. Actually, I included the Opportunities page, a new feature here on the blog which lists the available positions I know of around the country. New from Beth Moore: The Law of Love: Lessons from the Pages of Deuteronomy (August, 2012)…
Read MoreBudgeting for the Preferred Future
I’ve written about arriving at the preferred future a number of times. My most requested talk features this concept. The essence of the concept? The present can be explained by an understanding of Andy Stanley’s insightful one-liner: “Your ministry is perfectly designed to produce the results you’re currently experiencing.” The probable future can be anticipated. As…
Read MoreGroupLife in the 23rd Century
Can’t see the video? You can watch it right here.
Read MoreNew from Lisa Harper: Malachi: A Love That Never Lets Up
Had an opportunity to preview Malachi: A Love That Never Fails, a new study from Lisa Harper and LifeWay. If you’re unfamiliar with Harper, she’s been called “one of the best Bible tour guides around” by Max Lucado. Priscilla Evans Shirer said, “If anyone can help us to hear, understand and receive the truth of…
Read MoreDon’t Miss Shallow Small Group 2: Asking the Right Questions
He’s back! It’s the Shallow Small Group guy! Whether you’re looking for a video to kick off a leaders’ meeting or a way to raise the value of community…you’re can’t go wrong. Can’t see the video? You can preview it right here.
Read MoreBest Book I’ve Read This Year: Deep and Wide by Andy Stanley
If you only read one book this year, hands down it’s got to be Andy Stanley’s newest, Deep and Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend. My copy is marked up, underlined, starred, and dog-eared. I laughed out loud (Seriously. And I was on a plane!). I got choked up several times. There’s a lot…
Read MoreUnexamined Expectations about Priorities and Commitments
Warning: What you are about to read is still baking. In fact, I’m not sure it ever is fully baked. What ministry opportunities are you going to prioritize? What commitments will you challenge your members to make? Have you ever carefully examined expectations about priorities and commitments in your congregation? How recently? The way you…
Read More7 Key GroupLife Deal Breakers…and the Workarounds You Need to Know
Deal breakers. We know them. Sometimes they’re in the fine print. Sometimes they come out later. But we know them. Pretty much every endeavor has them. Every occupation. Every business. Every relationship. Deal breakers. In the land of grouplife there are deal breakers and then there are deal breakers. Here are what I think are…
Read MoreA New Film Series from Lisa Chan: True Beauty: Be Still
A few months ago I had the chance to preview the first segment of an interesting new film series from Flannel (Nooma, Francis Chan’s Basic, Ed’s Story, etc.). Featuring Lisa Chan, True Beauty: Be Still “explores the pressures, perceptions and expectations that women face and inspires viewers to let go of these lies and to enjoy being at…
Read MoreLooking for a Position? Have a Position to Post?
I hear about small group ministry positions all the time. Sometimes referred to as a discipleship or spiritual formation role, but I usually know about several. I also hear from people looking for a new role. Happens very frequently. I’ve been thinking about how I can help, and here’s what I’ve come up with. I’ve…
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