When Church Comes to a Crossroads
Your church will face multiple crossroads. At each one, you will probably find the church voicing dozens of competing opinions. In the confusion of figuring out whose voice should win out, it will be helpful to consider the choice which will be at the center of almost every crossroads you face. Option #1 This is […]
Church, I’m Afraid We Have an Anxiety Problem
As I mentioned in a previous article, I grew up with a dad afflicted with OCD. His anxiety became our family’s anxiety. There were myriad unwritten rules which often kept us on eggshells. Much of it was frustrating at the time. But it was perfect training for church ministry, since churches often have anxiety issues […]
Church and Culture: An Interview with Christian Ray Flores
What culture does the Church belong to? Should we see ourselves as more of a subculture, or more as a wing of the dominant culture? Or is there still a better way to see ourselves? Rock-star-turned-pastor Christian Ray Flores invites us to see church through the lens of a third-culture kid.
6 Keys to a Culture of Evangelism
Since its launch in 1982, Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV), in Phoenix, Arizona, has had one consistent mission: win people to Christ, train believers to become disciples, and send disciples to impact the world. In 2018, CCV baptized 3,729 people. CCV’s culture of evangelism and disciple-making exists in large part because of the staff […]
Discover It: Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture (Part 2)
Imagine for a moment that we have an entire group of football players wearing a jersey and standing on the field, but who have very little knowledge of how to actually play the game. They know some of the language but have no idea how to work together as a team, execute the most basic […]
Discover It: Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture (Part 1)
“As you go into the world, make disciples!” Regardless of language, culture or background, most Christians recognize this phrase as the “Great Commission.” Leaders throughout history have grappled with the call given by King Jesus to his church. Throughout church history, the pendulum sways to varying degrees when it comes to fulfilling the call. Of […]
I Led a Growing Megachurch, and We Were Losing
At its three-year mark, Real Life Ministries enjoyed what other church plants achieved only in their loftiest dreams: a brand-new 25,000-square-foot building and 2,300 people. And yet… We were overwhelmed. The largest church any of us had ever been in was three hundred. None of us had ever done what we were doing. I […]
