December 20, 2017
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When We Cannot Stay Here
Whatever precipitates the conclusion “we cannot stay here” the next question always is, “so where do we go from here?” Churches asking that question have several next-step options.
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December 20, 2017
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Creative Use of Church Space
As my exposure to congregations has increased, I’ve discovered greater creativity than I anticipated. Let me share a story about The HUB's creative approach to “doing” church.
December 20, 2017
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Q and A’s
Perhaps the most common concern expressed by congregants regarding church leadership is the lack of communication. Hosting a monthly "Q&A" is something I initiate to help improve communication.
January 3, 2018
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Not So Fast...
Henry Nouwen encourages us to counteract the hurry-up behaviors by adopting a “ministry of presence” instead. What if, in 2018, your congregation learned to practice this missional behavior in your community?
March 5, 2018
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Go Local Learnings
Go Local is a congregational journey to discover and join where God is at work in our neighborhoods. If you'd like to experience Go Local (without any long term commitment) we invite you to join us at one of these events!
May 1, 2018
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In Dying We Are Born
Peter Bush, in his book In Dying We Are Born, writes, “All congregations, even ones that see themselves as healthy, need to be prepared to die, to take up their cross, so that God can make them alive.”
May 2, 2018
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2700% Return on Investment
In 2010, Pastor Brian from Immanuel Reformed Church asked his congregation if anyone wanted $10. Many hands went up. Then he said, “If you take this $10, then you need to use it to help someone who has a need.”
May 1, 2018
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Great Congregational "Captains”
Every church leader is a good captain when their faith community is navigating quiet waters. The test of a great church leader, however, is when a congregation is traversing the turbulent seas of ministry change.
May 1, 2018
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Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger
Using his own “off the map” skills honed in a local church and denominational context, Bolsinger helps church leaders find paths to follow. He tells of both his successes and failures in finding these paths.
May 31, 2018
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The Gracious Act of Involvement
Many pastors believe they must do all the preaching, all the teaching, all the visiting, and all the administering because that is what they’re trained and paid to do. But the Bible has another idea about the work of pastors.
May 30, 2018
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No Place for Truth or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology?
Published in 1993, this book is powerfully prophetic concerning the direction of the Evangelical church over the past 25 years.
May 30, 2018
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A Seat at the Table
I think we have failed to recognize the power that we have to form the Christian identity of the young people sitting in our pews. Won’t you consider giving young people a voice at the table?
June 26, 2018
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The Urgency of Change
The mission God invites us to is one of urgency. Creating that sense of urgency in the congregations we serve is more effective and deeply-rooted when we realize where that call comes from.
July 3, 2018
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Growing the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit
In the book Growing the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit, Brad Long, Paul Stokes, and Cindy Strickler share their experiences and learnings to help lead other people into a meaningful dance with the Holy Spirit.
July 3, 2018
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Invite the CEO
If all agree that prayer is important and powerful, why doesn’t prayer hold a more prominent place in most council meetings?
July 3, 2018
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Maximizing Staff Impact
Often pastors are not optimizing this new staff potential because they are insufficiently coordinating and encouraging the new staff teams. Here are 5 supervisory investments that increase staff impact.
July 30, 2018
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Deacons and Church Renewal
Most churches experiencing church-wide renewal also experience renewal among their deacons. They move away from financial management, administration and governance and toward stewardship, mercy and the pursuit of justice.
July 30, 2018
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"Church Planting in the Secular West" by Stephan Paas
Paas’ book is a wonderful crossover volume that speaks about church planting but connects deeply with church renewal.
August 7, 2018
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Staying Connected With Sporadic Attenders
Self-identified North American church goers attend church, on average, just once per month. Providence CRC recognized this challenge and is choosing a proactive approach to keep people connected even when they not present on Sunday mornings.
August 21, 2018
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Healthy Missional Leaders Will Change Your Church
I have conducted a number of job interviews in which I noticed that I could tell within ten minutes if the candidate has participated in FaithWalking. How? These candidates are well differentiated, they handle conflict in healthy ways, they listen carefully, and they know themselves well.
September 10, 2018
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A Call To Reformed Evangelism
Evangelism serves the building of the Church, and the building of the Church provides the foundation for witnessing to the Kingdom of God in all of life, and such witness fulfills our created purpose as image-bearers of God in His world.
September 19, 2018
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With Eyes That See and Hearts of Love: Wisdom on Sharing the Gospel
The second post in a series of three on Reformed evangelism, focusing on the teaching of J.H. Bavinck in his book, An Introduction to the Science of Missions.
January 8, 2019
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Missional Steps for Churches
We may wish we could magically create a mission-shaped congregation with one event, one sermon, or one service-project. However, like our new year’s resolutions, becoming a mission-shaped congregation takes many small steps, all headed in the right direction.
January 9, 2019
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Abraham Kuyper and the Power of the Church
What is the power of the Church in the world? This book explores Abraham Kuyper's understanding of this important question.
January 31, 2019
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Classis Renewal - Church Planting and Revitalization Need to Go Together
Church Planters tend to think church planting is the only way to go. Those in established churches tend to be more concerned about church renewal. Is there a middle ground between the two?