Articles

• How to Be a Children's Ministry That Influences Families - December 1, 2011

  It's a given our children's ministries influence kids. But are we influencing families? When our influence is expanded to the entire family, we can see exponential impact. Here are ten ways to expand your influence to the entire family.

• Teaching the Bible with Toys - December 1, 2011

  Have you seen the book Teaching Physics with Toys? Here is the philosophy behind it: "Science is best understood by providing students with opportunities to make connections between their own world and scientific concepts. What’s more natural than using toys as learning tools to teach science to elementary and middle school students? For teachers and students alike, toys can provide motivational and experiential links between science concepts and everyday experience. " I think this is brilliant. Not because of this company....but because this is one of the key methods Jesus used to teach truth. He used familiar objects from people's everyday world to connect them with truth. Physical objects they saw, touched, used, or interacted with on a regular basis. Think about it... He used birds, flowers, fish, money, seeds, rocks, salt, trees, and much more. If you want the truths you are teaching to stick in the long-term memory of children, then tie the truths to objects that kids are familiar with. And some of the most familiar objects in a kid's life are toys.

• 10 Wishes for a Pew Sitter - November 30, 2011

  As a pew-sitter, I have a few wishes for the church leaders I know and love.

• Top 6 Issues for Your Christmas Production - November 30, 2011

  Christmas productions are right around the corner. These are usually the most stressful events for any sound tech because you are working with more people on the stage, kids, and a lot of variables where anything can go wrong at any time. Oh, and let’s not forget all the extra expectations. Here are the six issues that tend to come up during Christmas productions and how you can address each one.

• Overcoming the 4 types of Self-Sabotage in Church Audio - November 30, 2011

  Walking down the sidewalk today, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the woman ahead of me. Even though she was dressed quite well, every time she took a step, her right ankle popped inward. Her problem was that she couldn’t walk in high heels. She had self-sabotaged her desire to appear professional dressed. It was at that moment I asked myself the question “how do I sabotage my own efforts?” Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. You sabotage yourself when you intentionally prevent yourself from doing the best job possible. Imagine putting on a necklace of tow-chains right before running a race!

• 14 Questions to Determine if You're an Effective Pastor - November 30, 2011

  This is for pastors of all shapes and sizes. Answer the questions in your own language and face the facts about your ministry efficacy as seen through a 90 years young colleague's eyes. It's brutal!

• Six Big Regrets Some Pastors Have - November 30, 2011

  There’s stuff in every life to regret, or about which to at least have faint remorse. This was certainly true of my many years in ministry, and it also seemed to be true for the half dozen or so pastors I asked to help me with this piece. I had to trim their dozens of confessed regrets down to six.

• Bill Hybels on Leadership - November 28, 2011

  Here's a nice clip of Bill Hybels talking about the importance of Leadership study on an ongoing basis.

• Ten Things to Consider When Selecting Ministry Transportation - November 14, 2011

  Vice President of Operations for Carpenter Bus, gives a tremendous amount of insight and information on ten key issues to consider and address when selecting transportation for the church and ministry market. Whether you're a first time buyer or you've purchased before, reading this article can be very beneficial to making the right decision.

• A Wired World - November 6, 2011

  The computer revolution and the Internet are also changing Christian evangelism and discipleship, in ways which are only just beginning. Just as the Roman road system in New Testament times enabled the rapid spread of the Gospel, the Internet is also becoming an effective worldwide channel for evangelism.

• The Dirty Little Secret of the Church - October 27, 2011

  The Bible remains the bestselling book of all time but does it have a bestselling effect on our lives?

• Seeking Ways to Enrich Congregational Worship? - October 26, 2011

  Each week, churches across the world tell the good news that Christ is Lord and through grace, we have been forgiven! You would think that simple message would be enough to capture and hold everyone’s attention for an eternity, especially given the alternative. However, with today’s frantic pace, and the ever increasing decibel level of sound bites, the church struggles to have its message heard.

• Versatile Staging Options That Meet Your Needs & Budget - September 30, 2011

  Today’s worship facilities are home to a variety of services and events from traditional, music ministry, youth programs, fellowship services and special productions. Designing a unique stage-look that is flexible, budget friendly, easy to use and great looking is a challenge.

• The God Pocket - September 30, 2011

  What if you could take a little something out of your pocket today that would make God visible—and then give that little something to another person you just met?

• Raise Thousands of Dollars for Your Church With a Fundraising Cruise - September 15, 2011

  The Travel Group Department, LLC, and Cruise Holidays at the Stateline, a member of the world’s oldest network of cruise specialists, have joined forces to develop breakthrough enhancements to a fundraising program that was already recognized as one of the most efficient and effective in the cruise industry.

• Dramatically Increase the Number of People You Reach - And Your Monthly Income - September 1, 2011

  As a pastor, did you know you have a unique opportunity to dramatically increase the number of people you reach and increase your monthly income at the same time?

• Looking for Cost-Effective Advertising for Your Church - Think BIG! - September 1, 2011

  Did you know that our tough economic times offer your church a huge opportunity? Statistics show that churches experience significant growth during tough economic times.

• Barna Study Explores Faith in New York Since 9-11 - August 29, 2011

  In the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks, millions of Americans flocked to churches and houses of worship. But, for most, the shift in spiritual behavior was short lived.

• Why Order 100,000 DVDs of a Movie for Outreach? - August 16, 2011

  Entertainment is a "god" of this country and a big problem every Bible believing church and Christian faces today. Secular entertainment has blinded us to the things of God and dulled our desire to live and hear from Him.

• Funny and Unique Church Signs! - August 3, 2011

  Sometimes we all just need to sit back and have a laugh! Enjoy!

• It's OK to FAIL 48 Days, LLC. - July 13, 2011

  Thomas Edison was an inquisitive child at an early age. He attended school for only three months where the teacher labeled him as “too stupid to learn anything” quite possibly because...

• The Top Ten Wolves Attacking Inside Your Home Disciple Like Jesus Ministry - June 29, 2011

  Some think this article is over the top. You be the judge. My intention is not to impose a bunch of “thou shall nots.” Rather I am pointing out the wolves so that you and your spouse can make some decisions. Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit what you will allow? What discussions will you have with your family about unbiblical content in media? What you will warn your family about? What wolves will you drive out of your home?

• Getting To Know Jesus - 001 - In the Fullness of Time New Hope Gospel Ministries (home of Getting To Know Jesus) - April 28, 2011

  There is some discussion over whether God causes things to happen or simply knows when they will happen. The point of our focus is that Jesus did not come until it was time for him to appear!

• 75 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Church Architect - April 5, 2011

  The design and construction of church facilities may very well be one of the most important activities in your organization's history. One of the many critical components of your building success is hiring the right architect. Your church should consider at least 3-4 architects or design/build firms who have a good reputation for building the type and style of structures you are considering and are familiar with designing within the budget range you can afford.

• Capital Stewardship Campaign Tips - April 5, 2011

  A capital campaign program is a spiritual work, not a financial one. A campaign is about understanding there is a Kingdom need and a Kingdom provision to meet that need. It’s about developing an understanding of Godʹs perfect plan of providence to meet the need through the proper stewardship of His people.

• The Mandate: Making Disciples that Make Disciple-Makers Lionshare Leadership Group - February 15, 2011

  Regardless of what domain we are called to serve, as followers of Jesus we have been commanded to “make disciples”: reproducing the character, ways and mission of Jesus in those around us expecting them to multiply the same within others. As followers of Jesus, disciple-making must always be our aim and end. After all, it is what Jesus has specifically commanded us to do.

• Developing A Discipleship Ministry Core Discipleship Ministry - February 14, 2011

  Though Jesus had many who followed, He chose only twelve ordinary men with a mixture of backgrounds and personalities to be His disciples. Jesus’ entire ministry depended upon these men who would go on to start the Christian Church. He began His discipleship ministry in prayer:

• What Does the Bible Say About Outreach? Brian Tubbs - February 10, 2011

  Not all churches want to grow. Some churches like being small. What does the Bible say about church growth and outreach? What are some Bible verses on church growth?

• Community Outreach Ideas for Churches Brian Tubbs - February 10, 2011

  Looking for free ideas for church growth? This article provides several ways to help make the church grow and reach the community for Christ.

• Ten Ways a Coach Can Rocket Your Church Growth Disciple Like Jesus Ministry - February 7, 2011

  Why does rapid growth happen to some churches but not others? No doubt some factors are out of your control. Take for example the economy or your church location. However God gives you more control than you may realize. God wants your church to grow and to intentionally make disciples!