Entries by

Invitations/Altar Calls

July 8, 2019 in /by

I would like to know what other pastors do relative to inviting people to accept Jesus, etc., at the conclusion of their church services. What content is important to communicate? What tips and suggestions can pastors offer that will help me be more effective? What “mechanics” do pastors utilize in terms of guiding people through their response to invitation (praying in their seats, coming forward, etc.)? What can be done to promote follow-up discipleship and assimilation into the church? … read more

Está Consumado (E Não “Estou Consumado”)

July 4, 2019 in /by

“Está consumado”. O Senhor Jesus proferiu essas palavras radicais, palavras que alteraram a eternidade em Seu momento final na cruz (João 19:30). Seu precioso sangue foi derramado. O preço pela redenção do homem foi pago. A missão de Jesus estava cumprida. O significado e o impacto dessas preciosas palavras (“Está consumado”) são poderosamente resumidos nesses versos do livro de Hebreus … read more

O Amor de Deus é o Bandolim de uma Pequena Garota

June 5, 2019 in /by

É vital não nos esquecermos da importância de uma alma, de uma pessoa. Somos encorajados a pensar grande, a sonhar grande e a planejar grande. Queremos ver o amor de Deus e Sua mensagem se expandindo até os confins da Terra, a incontáveis multidões. Amamos aquela palavra que começa com m: multiplicação. Tudo isso é muito bom, mas não é bom se, no processo, nos esquecermos do valor de cada indivíduo, de cada pessoa. Todos temos diferentes chamados e dons, e cada um deles deve ser apreciado e valorizado. … read more

Two Altar Call Extremes by Mark Boer

June 5, 2019 in /by

Doing the work of an evangelist, though not being one, has long been important to me as a pastor. I want to see people saved. I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to win them to Christ if they come to our Sunday services – thus the altar call. I am a believer in giving this type of invitation every Sunday and have seen first-hand the fruit that comes from giving an effective one. Because of this, I have given much thought to both what is said and how it is said. … read more

It Is Finished (Not “I Am Finished”)

June 5, 2019 in /by

Jesus’ death on the cross was so effective and so final that no one would ever have to add anything to what he had done. Jesus would never have to come back and die again for the sins of the world or for anyone’s sins. No human would ever have to supplement Jesus’ work with his own religious activities or efforts in order to come into right standing with God. What Jesus did was enough; it was sufficient, and it was absolutely effective. … read more

Honoring Moms and Dads

June 5, 2019 in /by

In the states, Mother’s Day was just observed, and Father’s Day is coming up in June. What do you and your church do to bring special focus to moms and dads on these holidays? How much emphasis do you place on them in your messages, and are there any specific things your church does (or has done) that has been particularly notable?

Your Personal Energy Management

May 6, 2019 in /by

How do you manage your energy level on a weekly basis? For example, what is your energy normally like on Mondays, and how do you plan accordingly? Are there things you strategically do to best manage your energy throughout the week? Are there things you try to do on certain days of the week to use your energy most effectively?

Laborers Together

May 6, 2019 in /by

If we are not careful, we will fail to realize how much our own labors (and whatever results might occur) are actually undergirded and enhanced by the labors of others who have gone before us. I don’t want to be that person “who was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple.” We have all benefitted from and built upon the labors of others. I remember one time preaching in a service and giving an altar call. A handful of people responded and I had the privilege of praying with them as they placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. … read more

O Treinamento de Líderes é Bíblico?

April 9, 2019 in /by

Recentemente, vi uma postagem compartilhada por diversas pessoas em uma rede social. Parecia que tal postagem questionava a validade do treinamento de líderes no contexto pastoral/ cristão. Ali, era apresentada a ideia de que o termo servo aparece mais vezes na Bíblia do que o termo líder. A mensagem era exatamente essa: Líder é mencionado apenas seis vezes na Bíblia (versão King James). Servo é mencionado 900 vezes! Por que, então, temos tantas conferências de líderes? Deveria, portanto, uma pessoa deduzir que ensinamentos sobre liderança são de alguma forma sem tanta importância ou até antibíblicos? … read more

Self-Awareness

April 4, 2019 in /by

What trait in your own life has been the greatest challenge to you in your ministry? How did you recognize it, and what did you do to overcome it or compensate for it so that it did not adversely affect your church and ministry (or minimized the effect)?

God’s Love and a Little Girl’s Mandolin

April 3, 2019 in /by

In a day when mega-churches with multiple campuses receive so much attention, it is important to always remember that God doesn’t just care about numbers, statistics, and masses of people; he cares about individuals. It is vital that we never forget the importance of one soul, of one person. We love the m-word: multiplication. We love another m-word: multitudes. All this is good, but it is not good if, in the process, we forget the value of the individual, of every person. … read more

What If I’m Not a Christian Superstar? by Greg Mohr

March 7, 2019 in /by

Many churches are famous for recognizing and platforming the super-gifted and talented members of the body. Those talented musicians, singers, or artists who can bring immediate benefit to the ministry of the local church seem to receive an inordinate amount of attention and respect by church leaders compared to the average, everyday faithful member of the church. … read more

It All Depends: Changing the Picture You Fit Into by Marvin Yoder

March 7, 2019 in /by

Having the life and ministry God wants us to have is not totally up to God; it is dependent or contingent upon our response to His will. Sometimes God tells people things they don’t feel they can do or accomplish. Perhaps they looked at themselves, their surroundings, and their resources and concluded they don’t have what it takes to do what they heard God say. And if that is all they looked at, they may be correct! … read more

Is Leadership Teaching Scriptural?

March 7, 2019 in /by

We see Paul conducting a leadership meeting in a “retreat” venue in nearby Miletus with the elders from the church in Ephesus. In Acts 20:17-38, Paul presents the example of his own life and ministry to demonstrate how they are to serve Christ. He presents such vital topics as humility, consecration, perseverance, and doctrinal content, and he provides details about the serious nature of their God-given responsibilities. … read more

Cristianismo Biscoito da Sorte

March 7, 2019 in /by

Tenho certeza que você já comeu alguma vez em um daqueles restaurantes chineses, em que o garçom serve biscoito da sorte após a refeição. Não creio que muitas pessoas levem tais mensagens a sério, mas as pessoas gostam de quebrar o biscoito para ver o que ele diz. Em alguma medida, parece que todos querem ouvir que tudo irá bem e que elas conseguirão obter o que querem. Em outras palavras, todos desejam esperança, confirmação e encorajamento; e isso é entendível. … read more

Best and Worst Traits

March 6, 2019 in /by

If there is one trait you love seeing in a staff member or volunteer, what is it? Similarly, what is one trait you feel is especially problematic in a staff member or volunteer?

Apreciando o Mover Sutil do Espírito Santo

February 6, 2019 in /by

Ao longo da História da Igreja, o Espírito Santo tem se manifestado para curar, para abençoar, para libertar e para encher de poder. Da mesma forma que é maravilhoso ler a respeito dos “sinais notáveis” de Deus (Atos 4:16), também é importante reconhecer e apreciar o total espectro do mover do Espírito Santo, incluindo sua forma mais sutil de se mover. … read more

90 Days of Believing God by Rodney Payne

February 5, 2019 in /by

A genuine faith in God leads you to commit completely to Him. Commitment is a responsibility given to believers by God. Failing to take care of your responsibility cannot be credited to anything or anyone but you. It’s up to you to hear from God by faith. It’s up to you to trust the plan of God, and it’s up to you to handle your responsibility of commitment to God. … read more

The Legacy of Youth Ministry by Dr. Pamela McNeese

February 5, 2019 in /by

The idea of gathering children for religious instruction has deep historical roots, as has been evidenced within the Jewish culture. The Hebrew people were considered nomads and the tribal leaders also were included in the role of pedagogy. History validates that every synagogue was a school and all the children were required to attend the schools on the Sabbath to receive that instruction. … read more

Fortune Cookie Christianity

February 5, 2019 in /by

It should go without saying that a Christian should not read the Bible the way a superstitious person might read a fortune cookie. Messages in cookies typically tell people what they want to hear, but the Bible tells us what we need to hear. I’m absolutely not against a Christian reading and being inspired by a single verse or an inspirational quote—those can be helpful sources of encouragement to us. I am concerned, though, that many people today treat Scripture as though its sole purpose is to provide encouragement and motivation … read more

Getting Counsel

February 4, 2019 in /by

How do you, as a pastor, choose who to receive counsel from? What are some examples of where counsel has been really helpful to you, and have there been instances where it was important that you reject certain counsel?

Tirando o “Dis” do Funcional

January 4, 2019 in /by

Disfuncional tem se tornado uma palavra bem popular em nossa sociedade. Alguns ouvem tal termo e pensam em uma anomalia médica – algum órgão ou parte do corpo não funcionando corretamente. Outros pensam em um contexto familiar pouco saudável em que a confiança e a paz foram gravemente corroídas. Além dessas situações, outras pessoas ouvem a palavra disfuncional e pensam em um contexto governamental ou de negócios em que a comunicação é fraca e a incompetência reina de forma abundante. … read more

This Generation! Every Nation? by Matt Beemer

January 4, 2019 in /by

Is it possible that our generation will finally be the generation that brings completion to the Great Commission? If we commit to key strategic choices, we can, and we will! “We can if we want to!” That was the conclusion five William College students came too as they sheltered under the cover of a haystack in the middle a Western Massachusetts farm. It was the summer of 1806 and as they were praying, they were caught in a sudden downpour. … read more

Appreciating the Subtle Workings of the Holy Spirit

January 4, 2019 in /by

All through church history, the Holy Spirit has manifested himself to heal, bless, deliver, and empower. As wonderful as it is to learn about the “notable works” of God (Acts 4:16), it is also important to recognize and appreciate the full spectrum of the Holy Spirit’s activities, including his more subtle activity. Instead of having a broad appreciation for God’s comprehensive work, the disciples tended to focus on a more spectacular aspect. For example, they were exuberant that demons were subject to them when they used the name of Jesus. … read more