Philip, an engineer and devoted husband in a family of five that recently moved to town, scheduled a visit with Ryan, the lead pastor of Central congregation. Philip is interested in learning more about this congregation.
Is your congregation more like a living, ever-changing spiritual organism or a religious organization in danger of institutionalization? Your answer makes a tremendous long-term difference in the vitality and vibrancy of your congregation and its Christlike witness.
Is the key message of the New Testament that we are sent? Or is it a deeper concept that we need to go locally and globally to communities and people groups so they might receive the gospel message?
No one remembers how the debate started, but they remember what happened at the small group leaders annual retreat six years ago — a move toward a disciple-making approach that has made a transformational difference in the active engagement of maturing and serving disciples in Kingdom-focused ministry.
Carrie, a life group leader in her congregation, posed the following question during a weekly gathering of a couples life group: “If our congregation is seeking to soar with faith on a spiritual and strategic journey to reach its full Kingdom potential, is it more important for us to understand what Jesus did or who Jesus is?”
Jessica exclaimed, “How can I ever know God’s guidance for our congregation? That’s why we have a pastor — someone who is closely connected with God and can share His direction with us.”
What is the difference between tell me the stories of Jesus, and tell me your story of Jesus?
Merlin the magician, as depicted in T.H. White’s 1958 book “The Once and Future King,” is an enchanting wizard. He experiences time in a unique way. Born in the future, he views the present from the perspective of what has already materialized.
At a wonderful gathering many years ago, I learned from Christian spiritual and strategic experts about how congregations can effectively fulfill the Great Commission.
For Baptists and many other evangelical denominations or networks, the most important spiritual experience every person can have is to receive Jesus the Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.
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