In Revelation 2-3, Jesus spoke to seven local congregations. To six of them, he gave commendations, telling them what they were doing well. To five of them, he gave words of correction—encouraging them to make needed adjustments. If Jesus were to address your congregation, or the church-at-large in your area, what aspects of the church do you think he would commend, and what area(s) do you think he would say needed to be changed?
When he died in 1791 at the age of 88, Wesley had traveled 250,000 miles ministering the Word of God (much of that on horseback). He had preached 42,000 sermons, and authored 250 books and pamphlets. Throughout his life and ministry, Wesley experienced and witnessed many expressions of the supernatural power of God. He recorded several healings … read more
Can you describe a couple of ways the Holy Spirit specifically helps you in your ministry? What difference does he make, and what do you do to make sure that you are partnering with him in ministry?
The part that seemed to be getting my attention was the “Prone to wander” part. Looking at things from the perspective of the new creation, I want to dispute that. I want to say, “I am a new creation in Christ. I have the life and the nature of God on the inside of me. I do NOT want to wander away from any sense of closeness with the Lord.” I like that position and approach. At the same time, I have to recognize that even born-again people still have the flesh and the mind to deal with, and that can create a distracting pull on people. Some manage it better than others, but even great spiritual leaders like Paul said that he had to manage fleshly elements; he was not immune from the influence of the flesh. … read more
When you know that the Spirit of God is alive in your children, let them know that being led by the Holy Spirit is a normal, expected part of the life of every believer, including them! Depending on your own experience, you may have found yourself struggling over the years with the ability to hear from God. But resolve in your own mind that this really is the plan God has for His people, and don’t settle for anything less for your children. … read more
When you know that the Spirit of God is alive in your children, let them know that being led by the Holy Spirit is a normal, expected part of the life of every believer, including them! Depending on your own experience, you may have found yourself struggling over the years with the ability to hear from God. But resolve in your own mind that this really is the plan God has for His people, and don’t settle for anything less for your children. … read more
When you know that the Spirit of God is alive in your children, let them know that being led by the Holy Spirit is a normal, expected part of the life of every believer, including them! Depending on your own experience, you may have found yourself struggling over the years with the ability to hear from God. But resolve in your own mind that this really is the plan God has for His people, and don’t settle for anything less for your children. … read more
When King Jehoram had reigned for eight years and died at the age of thirty-two, we learn that “no one was sorry when he died” (2 Chronicles 21:20). They didn’t even bury him in the royal cemetery. What is that all about? The Old Testament is far more than simple history; it contains powerful lessons and examples for us today. Paul states, “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” It is vital that we study the lessons of the Old Testament and find the appropriate personal applications that God has placed there for our benefit. … read more
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
When you talk to many young adults and ask them what they want to do with their lives, many have no idea. Or, some may think they do, but figure out shortly after, that they were mistaken. The fact is so many young people today are just “winging it” through life because they do not know what God says; most especially what God says about them. … read more
“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
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
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
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
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?
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?
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
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
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)?
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
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
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
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
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
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?
