Jesus was from Nazareth, and the Bible tells us He returned to His hometown after healing the woman with the issue of blood and the daughter of Jairus. These were two wonderful manifestations of God’s will through Jesus’ ministry, and it is likely that Jairus and the woman came to Jesus because of the many reports of healings they had heard. Jesus was known throughout the countryside as a healer. … read more
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Lisa Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngLisa Cooke2019-05-06 21:39:032023-04-10 14:47:43He’s Just a Carpenter by Lisa Cooke
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?
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2019-05-06 17:39:112020-10-15 22:04:26Your Personal Energy Management
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2019-04-09 00:54:092019-04-09 00:54:09O Treinamento de Líderes é Bíblico?
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2019-04-03 22:51:412021-01-17 23:03:10God’s Love and a Little Girl’s Mandolin
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2019-03-07 02:07:222020-10-13 23:01:41What If I’m Not a Christian Superstar? by Greg Mohr
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2019-03-07 01:28:202020-10-13 23:07:01It All Depends: Changing the Picture You Fit Into by Marvin Yoder
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?
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
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2019-02-05 23:51:012020-10-13 23:08:3990 Days of Believing God by Rodney Payne
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2019-02-05 22:41:032020-10-13 23:10:11The Legacy of Youth Ministry by Dr. Pamela McNeese
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
Proverbs 31:25 in the Passion Translation states, “Bold power and glorious majesty are wrapped around her as she laughs with joy over the latter days.” This verse is part of what is called the Virtuous Woman section of Proverbs 31. But one morning while praying, I saw this in a different light, a new application. I have this verse written on a paper that I’ve attached to the wall in front of where I pray most mornings. … read more
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Lisa Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngLisa Cooke2019-02-05 04:17:412023-04-10 14:47:43The Church: Bold in Power and Glorious in Majesty by Lisa Cooke
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?
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2019-01-04 15:33:062019-01-04 15:33:06Tirando o “Dis” do Funcional
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2019-01-04 06:23:242020-10-13 23:16:52This Generation! Every Nation? by Matt Beemer
A prayer is forming in my heart as I begin to look at this New Year now upon us. A prayer for the people of God, that they would experience in growing measure the privilege of living “full lives, full in the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19 The Message Bible).” Many of us will put the desire to grow closer to God on our New Year’s Resolutions list, for we feel His Father’s heart longing for our hearts to be completely His. … read more
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Lisa Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngLisa Cooke2019-01-04 03:14:492023-04-10 14:47:43A Prayer for the New Year by Lisa Cooke
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2019-01-04 03:04:262021-01-17 23:15:14Appreciating the Subtle Workings of the Holy Spirit
I’d love to learn what other pastors have done in recovering from a misstep? Would you share (1) a mistake you made in pastoring, and (2) what you did to recover from that mistake?
As pessoas amam previsibilidade. Gosto de saber que, se fizer tal coisa, obterei determinado resultado. Isaac Newton abordou tal fato em suas leis quando determinou que, “Para toda ação, há uma reação”. Em outras palavras, se eu pegar uma bola de borracha e quicá-la, ela voltará com uma velocidade simular. Espiritualmente falando, a Bíblia aborda sobre a lei da semeadura e da colheita: “Tudo aquilo que o homem semear, ele também colherá”. … read more
For many years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching the subject of marriage and family, a topic I believe is very close to the heart of God. The Bible schools where I taught were in different countries with different traditions and cultures regarding the subject, so I prayerfully asked the Lord to help me represent His thoughts and ways and not just the culture I was most familiar with or my personal experience. … read more
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2018-12-06 00:36:222020-10-13 23:20:53ENGENDERED: What Was God Thinking? by Patsy Cameneti
Life provides us with many opportunities to choose to let patience, endurance, perseverance have their perfect work. Probably we will get the chance daily to practice our patience in small and large situations. Lately when one of those circumstances pops up in my life, I will make my declaration that I love letting patience have its perfect work … read more
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Lisa Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngLisa Cooke2018-12-06 00:20:452023-04-10 14:47:43Lacking Nothing by Lisa Cooke
He’s Just a Carpenter by Lisa Cooke
Jesus was from Nazareth, and the Bible tells us He returned to His hometown after healing the woman with the issue of blood and the daughter of Jairus. These were two wonderful manifestations of God’s will through Jesus’ ministry, and it is likely that Jairus and the woman came to Jesus because of the many reports of healings they had heard. Jesus was known throughout the countryside as a healer. … read more
Your Personal Energy Management
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The Church: Bold in Power and Glorious in Majesty by Lisa Cooke
Proverbs 31:25 in the Passion Translation states, “Bold power and glorious majesty are wrapped around her as she laughs with joy over the latter days.” This verse is part of what is called the Virtuous Woman section of Proverbs 31. But one morning while praying, I saw this in a different light, a new application. I have this verse written on a paper that I’ve attached to the wall in front of where I pray most mornings. … read more
Getting Counsel
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
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
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
A Prayer for the New Year by Lisa Cooke
A prayer is forming in my heart as I begin to look at this New Year now upon us. A prayer for the people of God, that they would experience in growing measure the privilege of living “full lives, full in the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19 The Message Bible).” Many of us will put the desire to grow closer to God on our New Year’s Resolutions list, for we feel His Father’s heart longing for our hearts to be completely His. … read more
Appreciating the Subtle Workings of the Holy Spirit
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
Bouncing Back
I’d love to learn what other pastors have done in recovering from a misstep? Would you share (1) a mistake you made in pastoring, and (2) what you did to recover from that mistake?
Consequências Indesejadas
As pessoas amam previsibilidade. Gosto de saber que, se fizer tal coisa, obterei determinado resultado. Isaac Newton abordou tal fato em suas leis quando determinou que, “Para toda ação, há uma reação”. Em outras palavras, se eu pegar uma bola de borracha e quicá-la, ela voltará com uma velocidade simular. Espiritualmente falando, a Bíblia aborda sobre a lei da semeadura e da colheita: “Tudo aquilo que o homem semear, ele também colherá”. … read more
ENGENDERED: What Was God Thinking? by Patsy Cameneti
For many years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching the subject of marriage and family, a topic I believe is very close to the heart of God. The Bible schools where I taught were in different countries with different traditions and cultures regarding the subject, so I prayerfully asked the Lord to help me represent His thoughts and ways and not just the culture I was most familiar with or my personal experience. … read more
Lacking Nothing by Lisa Cooke
Life provides us with many opportunities to choose to let patience, endurance, perseverance have their perfect work. Probably we will get the chance daily to practice our patience in small and large situations. Lately when one of those circumstances pops up in my life, I will make my declaration that I love letting patience have its perfect work … read more