Add this Hearing God DVD (featuring Dallas Willard) to Your Recommended List
I had a rare privilege this week. I spent several hours with Dallas Willard, Richard Foster and John Ortberg. Not live, but on a very special video captured at a Renovaré event designed to introduce the core themes of Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God, Willard’s classic, first published in 1999. This paragraph, from…
Read MoreGrowing in Gospel Fluency
“Those who are growing in gospel fluency are experiencing ongoing transformation themselves. They are experiencing ongoing change as the truths of the gospel are brought to bear on their thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and actions, transforming them into greater Christlikeness every day. They are growing up into Christ in every way because they are learning to…
Read MoreSkill Training: How to Stimulate Better Discussions
Several of my core assumptions about small group ministry come into play when I share this skill training. Most importantly, I believe the optimal environment for life change is a small group. At the same time, I also believe that in order for any small group to actually be an environment that produces life change,…
Read MoreTOP 5 THINGS EVERY SENIOR PASTOR NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
There are 5 things every senior pastor needs to know about small group ministry: First, senior pastors need to know that they are the most important champion of small group ministry If they want grouplife to happen, if they want to be a church OF groups, they must accept this role. They might hope to delegate the…
Read MoreFriday’s List | July 14
Every Friday I post a short list of the things I’m reading, listening to, loving and wrestling with: Here’s what I’m reading right now: 5 Ways To Become A Better Leader…Today by Carey Nieuwhof. Apply these today! Not profound, but very timely for all of us. Marc Andreessen: “Take the Ego out of Ideas” This is a great…
Read MoreDon’t Miss The Apostles Creed by Matt Chandler
Finally had an opportunity this week to spend some time with The Apostles’ Creed, the newest small group study from Matt Chandler. Chandler, Lead Teaching Pastor of the Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, and President of the Acts 29 Network, is widely regarded as one of America’s finest communicators. He’s also the author of…
Read MoreHAS THE POST-CHRISTIAN METRIC ALTERED YOUR STRATEGY YET?
HAS THE POST-CHRISTIAN METRIC ALTERED YOUR STRATEGY YET? I hope you’re actively aware of and already beginning to address the realities of what many are calling “the post-Christian era.” If you’re not, there is a very good chance that some of your connecting and discipling strategies are actually outdated and no longer suitable for a…
Read MoreTAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY SKILL TRAINING SERIES (for leaders, hosts and coaches)
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY SKILL TRAINING SERIES (for leaders, hosts and coaches) Over the last several years I’ve written over 50 articles designed to help small group leaders, hosts and small group coaches improve in an essential skill. For example, how to find new members for your group, learn to pray together, or stimulate better discussions.…
Read More10 IDEAS THAT SHAPE MY PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY
10 IDEAS THAT SHAPE MY PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY Have you spent much time thinking about your philosophy of ministry? Your own philosophy of ministry (whether you’ve ever written it down or verbalized it) is actually the foundation for many of the decisions you make. Why do you choose the strategies you choose? Why do you…
Read MoreFriday’s List | July 7
Every Friday I post a short list of the things I’m reading, listening to, loving and wrestling with: Here’s what I’m reading right now: The Agile Church: 5 Ways to Lead Through Change by Tony Morgan. Short and sweet, this will give you some important things to chew on. The Surprisingly Little Known Secret to Reaching More People…
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