Why I Am Bivocational (BIVO)
I am a bivocational (BIVO) church planter, and it's the best decision I've ever made in my 30-year ministry career. Here's why.
I am a bivocational (BIVO) church planter, and it's the best decision I've ever made in my 30-year ministry career. Here's why.
Starting a new church community is not an easy task. We can get so caught up in our methodology that we miss the mission of the church.
If we see God’s justice as inseparable from his kingdom, then we may be a little more inclined toward living mission instead of just doing mission. Mission is in our backyard.
There have been times when there are just a handful of musicians and vocalists on stage with minimal capabilities. The songs (especially the contemporary ones) scream for a full band with keys, drums, and a bass, but we don’t have it available. What to do?
I recently had a conversation with someone in our church who felt somewhat frustrated with where the church seemed to be heading. This particular member thought it a waste of time and money to send myself and another church member to Zambia on a scouting trip to assess ministry needs in an area where we support a local pastor. They saw no value ...
At the risk of not keeping your attention I won’t make this entry too long. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the state or lack-there-of of critical thinking abilities among people, especially as a pastor. People today tend to process many ideas and information without seriously thinking about anything in particular except
"Time flies when you're having fun." I guess I would say that would be my mantra too having been the guide of the Network's Small Groups section for some sixteen months or so. I don't know where the time went. And now that I'm moving on I thought I'd just do a little reflecting.
I know for myself that I lead by doing and coming alongside potential and present leaders to encourage, support and train them. It is usually the case that when there is a lack of leadership it is because there is no environment or atmosphere of leadership development happening in the church.
If you're going to include PB small groups as part of your disciple-making ministry, you will need to spend more time on a plan to initiate intentionality on moving people forward in their spiritual growth.
For years CRHM encouraged churches to adopt the Principle-Based model/philosophy of small group ministry almost exclusively. I thought it was worth another look.
Even though I've been writing and posting in small groups for over a year now, I haven't necessarily covered what you've been looking for. Here's your chance to challenge me with some ideas for articles and blogs.
If you read my review of Launching Missional Communities or my 5 part interview with Mike Breen, you know that if anyone has a handle on making disciples in the post-Christian culture of the west, it is Breen and the folks from 3DM.
If a marriage is a gift from God then why are so many falling apart in the church?
December is busy enough. So who wants another event? Why not maximize your normal December activities by inviting someone along. Or you could use the most of the December opportunities to grow and start new small groups in January. Here are some good things to consider.
Asking good questions is almost an art form in my opinion. I'm talking about well-phrased, intentional, smart questions that open people up to get to the heart of the matter. Smart, well-placed questions can take your small group to a whole new level of sharing and growth.
For many years within the small group realm there has been a lot of discussion on whether small groups should be open or closed. Perhaps our default mode especially in our CRC communities is to err on the side of being comfortable and thus short-circuiting true discipleship... This repost has a lot o reads but would be better with some discussion :-)
If you're in charge of small groups at your church I believe you will find this helpful. I've had to learn these skills the hard way and they do work, believe me.
We all want to see our small groups grow and thrive. Here are some key ingredients to tap into and increase your small group potential.
It's great when you come across some great small group curriculum. But it's even better when it's FREE. Scott Boren's book Missional Small Groups has really been gathering ground and very worth reading. Check out the curriculum that he's developed helping groups to be groups and impact their communities.
It's the fall again when ministries tend to kick off. Here are some things to think about whether you are a member, leader or coordinator of small groups. I thought it would be valuable to recycle this article.
Here's a church really challenging the status quo of what church is supposed to be. Jeff Vanderstelt, pastor of the Soma Communities seeks to be a missional community. It's a challenge for all of us. This is the stuff we need to be talking about in our churches. Check it out.
I received some interesting responses after our recent prayer service. A number of people found it difficult to pray that the Holy Spirit would instill in them a passion for the lost. To pray that prayer can be scary when your focus on being a disciple has been more about being a faithful church attender than to follow Jesus into the big bad world to share the Gospel.
How does an effective group agreement look like and why do we need it?
In churches around the globe, a variety of shifts are occurring that are shaping the future of small groups. These shifts are next steps designed to meet the same goal of the community.
Summer is a time for relaxing, catching your breath or maybe some fish, getting out into the great out doors and DREAMING. Think of the possibilities for your ministry especially small groups. What are your dreams? I'd love to hear them....