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Fasting from complaining: 9 reasons why church leaders might want to try it
The weeks between Easter and Pentecost are more of a time for church leaders to celebrate than fast. But I'm thinking about fasting as a spiritual practice. While fasting from food has its place, I …
 | What was once a downtown church building is now a unique restaurant. Tables and booths now occupy the space where pews sat. The area that held the choir loft has been refurbished into a bar. The former fellowship hall serves as the kitchen where the … |
 | Sermon Illustration: 20 Symptoms of Financial Bondage By Pastor Brian Kluth, author of www.GodIsYourProvider.com and the www.GenerousLife.org 30 & 40 Day devotionals Over the course of my pastoral and financial ministry, I have taught and … |
 | I have the incredible opportunity to interact with pastors regularly. Among these ongoing discussions in recent times: an informal survey in which I posed two questions. First I asked, "Have you ever experienced burnout in your ministry?" Then, I … |
| Steve Jobs casts a long shadow. Indeed, it is hard to believe that it has been 18 months have since his death. The passing of the noted Apple co-founder engendered a plethora of articles, presentations and books, most notably the impressive … |
| In John 10:11, Jesus described Himself as "the good shepherd." That is an important distinction for church leaders to consider. The qualities that made Jesus the Good Shepherd are the same qualities that still characterize a worthy pastor/elder … |
 | Baseball season began Easter Sunday evening with my favorite two teams playing in Houston. The Astros have a combined team salary this year that is less than that of the left side of the Rangers' starting infield. The Astros lost over one hundred … |
| Every pastor can recognize the truth of the following anecdote. The story is true; only the names have changed. Yet I wonder: How many of your church members are aware of the pressures the typical pastor faces? Whether you use the elements of this … |
 | On Easter Sunday, I celebrate my two year anniversary as the Campus Pastor at Forest Park Carthage (a multisite church based out of Joplin, MO). For the two years before that, I served as a full-time consultant with churches around the country. I … |
 | Commissioned by Moody Church in Chicago, an amicus brief intended to protect traditional marriage built its argument on the premise that marriage's purpose is to raise up the next generation. Employing statistics, it demonstrated that the healthiest … |
 | Professor Howard Hendricks died last week but his ministry continues to expand through the lives of over 13,000 students that were impacted over his 60 years of teaching at Dallas Theological Seminary. While working on a tribute, I first reflected … |
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Brave New Women
Women's ministry is on the verge of massive cultural shift as younger generations of women reject traditional programming in favor of more purposeful spiritual interaction. Innovative church leaders …Type: White PaperSponsored by: Leadership Network -
Searching for Strong Senior Leadership Teams
During the first half of 2012, we invited churches from around the world to assess their senior leadership team for free. Nearly 600 people representing leadership teams at 145 churches took us up on …Type: White PaperSponsored by: Leadership Network -
Book Summary: Creature of the Word
n twelve chapters, the authors provide practical steps toward forming a Jesus-centered church whose goal is to have its theology, culture, and practice completely saturated in the gospel.Type: White PaperSponsored by: Auxano -
The Changing Role of Large Church Senior Pastors: Trends and Developments
As models of team leadership move more to center stage, some who could have been larger church lead pastors will find great contentment in "second chair" roles. We won't see the old collegial models …Type: White PaperSponsored by: Leadership Network -
Changing Metrics: The Benefits of Measuring Devotion and Obedience, Not Just Numbers
"Today, people in our churches—and especially young people—want to devote their lives to a cause that's bigger than themselves," observes Ken Fong, pastor of Evergreen Baptist Church in …Type: ResearchSponsored by: Leadership Network
| Does your future look impossible? God specializes in that | |
 | In the Bible, God often delivered his leaders at the last possible moment from impossible situations, says Bob Russell (at NACC 2012.) |
| Are you a leader in need of some refreshing grace? | |
| Pastor Rick Rusaw needed to get away to a friend's ranch and hear some hard truth. "You are terrible at getting grace for yourself," his friend said. (From NACC 20120) |
| Are you a leader in need of some refreshing grace? | |
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| Pastor Rick Rusaw needed to get away to a friend's ranch and hear some hard truth. "You are terrible at getting grace for yourself," his friend said. (From NACC 20120) |
| When your church isn't growing spiritually | |
| Who is ultimately responsible for everyone's spiritual growth in your church? A powerful reminder from Dr. Jerry Taylor at NACC 2012. |
| Miles McPherson - We reevaluated our church's purpose | |
| A "do-something" church is a body that does what Jesus did when he was in his body. "A lot of things churches do are a waste of time," said McPherson. |
| Jeff Vines on how we can have power over sin | |
| A new illustration of Romans 6 for church leaders. (from NACC '11) |
| Are we willing to suffer for the cause of Christ? | |
| "Our church members say, 'I'm happy to do the will of God until it costs me something.'" (Jeff Vines at NACC 2011) |
| A growing church is with the lost | |
| Greg Nettle tells two stories of evangelistic love. (NACC 2011) |