God is in Control: Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV The Psalms are an excellent source of encouragement when we struggle with needing control in…
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Latest Blog Posts
Bible Reading Strategies for the Five Seasons
Churches have five seasons of the year: SeptemberAdvent/ChristmasJanuaryLent/EasterSummerYes, that’s a simplification, and it wanders from the liturgical calendar that governs many churches, but when it comes to planning new things for your congregation—new campaigns, emphases, programs, even preaching themes—these five seasons generally emerge with unique properties.1. September is a time of new routines.Kids are back in school. People are back…
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How Did Jesus Bring People to Faith?
People with dramatic “Damascus Road” conversion stories often get a lot of press. We love to hear them talk. You probably know some people with testimonies like this, totally unexpected encounters with the living God. One friend of mine became a believer because she encountered Jesus in a dream.Far more common, however, are what I call “Emmaus Road” conversion stories—neither…
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Bible Study for Guys Who Don’t Do Bible Study
Why is it so difficult to get men into small group Bible studies? I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who’s tried to figure that one out. For me, the revelation came when my church decided to hold a golf tournament. No, seriously. I don’t golf—but as pastor, I had to participate in this fundraising event. I learned a…
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Does your Church Building Engage People with the Bible?
In centuries past, especially before printing presses and widespread literacy, church buildings themselves were designed to illustrate Scripture. Stained glass, sculptures and murals depicted Daniel in the lion’s den, Ruth collecting wheat in Boaz’s field, and Christ walking toward Calvary. These works of art helped people relate to the stories and concepts they’d built their faith upon. Whenever they went…
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The Game of Bible Engagement: 8 Motives to Plan For
The Q Conference had its usual mind-altering effects, as Christians gathered in Denver this spring to consider questions of faith and culture. Numerous hot topics were on the docket, including race relations, euthanasia, marijuana use, gun ownership, gender dysphoria, and refugees. The forward-thinking Q planners even included talks on artificial intelligence (how should we treat our robots?) and something called…
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5 Steps to a Successful Bible Reading Plan for Your Church
It was my first day as discipleship pastor at Browncroft Community Church. A key volunteer approached me and blurted, “We are two months behind in the Read365 program. What do you want to do?” This was the stuff of nightmares. I hardly knew the program, much less the problem or how to fix it. I was about to get a…
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