The church can learn a lot from organizations like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). Two primary reasons: they’re honest they have a plan If you attend a meeting with your friend Gerald, you’ll hear him say, “Hello, my name is Gerald, and I’m an alcoholic.” There will be no gasps or horrified looks. No one will point […]
10 Next Steps for New Believers (Part 2)
If heaven rejoices when someone gives their lives to Jesus (Luke 15:10), then we should, too. Jesus followers should be party people. But when the balloons begin to sag, and the sink overflows with dishes, new believers—and those who love them—need a plan. Surrendering their lives to Jesus was an enormous step, but their experiences […]
10 Next Steps for New Believers (Part 1)
You’ve just begun a relationship with Jesus, or you know someone who has? Great news! So now what? Many churches pat you or your friend on the back, make an announcement to celebrate God’s work in your life, and then transition to the next scheduled activity. Some churches go an extra step and present a […]
5 Liberating Reasons NOT to Spend Time With God
I remember exactly where I was when I decided I would stop spending time with God. As I drove away from class at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon, I determined I had enough. I was going to give up my disciplined quiet time for two weeks. That might seem like an odd commitment. Don’t people […]
5 Valuable Reasons to Spend Time with God
“Come, follow me,” is Jesus’ invitation we can indulge or ignore. When I was in third grade and walked to my grandparent’s apartment after school, I got to decide whether or not I would stop to visit my mother’s uncle’ on the way home. As a doorman, he regularly received tips from residents going in […]
Give Up! Enjoy the Gift and Blessing of Surrender
Modern culture views surrender as a sign of weakness. But it can also be a wise and powerful decision. Surrendering our desires to embrace the improved plan and purpose of another is shrewd. And surrendering to the prudent purposes of an all-knowing, all-powerful, and loving God is both wise and life-giving. Surrendering to God is […]
4 Ways to Practice Silence & Solitude
I’m an introvert. I love being alone and doing things independently. I like to bike by myself, run by myself, and go to the movies by myself. Solitude recharges me. But being an introvert doesn’t mean I don’t like people. This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I’ll get a commission […]
10 Tips to Help You Lead a Fantastic Group Discussion
Roberta was ready. She had imagined a dozen worst-case scenarios for her small group discussion and had a practical, thoughtful response for each. Roberta was a gifted teacher who was not only passionate about the day’s topic, but excited to give group members a chance to go deeper and apply what they learned. But What […]
Prayeristhenics: Get Physical In Your Prayer Life
Striking a pose is more than dramatic movement—it’s a way to stay focused in prayer. Instead of merely using words, use your body to pray. Even a slight physical alteration can intensify your prayer time. A prayer of surrender might sound something like this: “God, this is your day. I surrender all that I am […]
1 Daring Decision That Will Change Your Church
Pastors and leaders talk about church growth, but strategic conversation focuses on making disciples. Filled churches cause a buzz, but churches committed to making disciples — and introducing the idea to those exploring faith — are poised to impact its community for generations. This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, […]