Shifting from a traditional to a missional focus proves to be complicated, and my church’s transition did not come without its share of difficulties. As the leadership team committed to developing a deeper understanding of mission, they also realized the importance of shaping a perspective beyond that of their traditional underpinning. In their commitment to … Continue reading Traditional to Missional
People leave churches for a variety of reasons. Financial difficulties, leadership transitions, ministry programs, etc. are the wrong reasons to leave a church. Others complain about the lack of children and youth ministries without ever getting involved and trying to help make a difference themselves. Other exit strategies include the following: “The worship leader refused … Continue reading Three Reasons To Leave A Church
A church on mission is forward-thinking. Though it is respectful of the history and traditions that have been created behind it, it always looks to the future with great anticipation. It’s like hiking a high mountain; there are various campsites on the way up, but the goal is to reach the summit. We must move … Continue reading Mission Of Love
Church is a Verb! The call of Christ is not passive. It’s active. It includes becoming a visible expression of God in the world. It consists of a group of people called to participate in God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Jesus calls his followers to a life of sacrificial service. Being the Body of Christ … Continue reading Church Is A Verb
It’s more than a building or an hour on the weekend. The church is you and me. People who intentionally gather in community for the purpose of following to Christ. Life happens, and what happens on the journey is what’s truly inspiring. Jesus established the church as a place for people to journey together, and … Continue reading I Love The Church
The quality of a church’s leadership is directly linked to the quality of a church’s discipleship. If we fail in making Christ-like disciples, we should not be surprised if we fail to make effective leaders. Anyone who makes a commitment to follow Jesus must also be willing to invest in making more disciples that impact … Continue reading Membership Or Discipleship
“The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not, ‘What a lovely sermon!’ but, ‘I will do something!’” ~Francis de Sales Sermons are a necessary part of the Christian life. Never devalue the preaching of the Word of God. Proclamation moves people to action. It should change the way we view … Continue reading Sermonettes Produce Christianettes
Our job is to make goodness fashionable. It doesn’t matter if someone’s life is ruined, degraded, or wrecked beyond comprehension, as God’s ambassadors we connect the world with the goodness of God in such a way that anyone has the potential to become a new creation. Then God will make of others what he is … Continue reading Making Goodness Fashionable
Brian L Powell 