Category: Discipleship

EVANGELISM – From An Optional Extra To An Important Priority

 

There is much to suggest that the church in the west is living in a post Christian generation.  Evangelism has fallen on hard times, and ironically it seems that seminars to help people learn how to share their faith are doing no better.  And yet our denominations, although aware of their continued decrease in numbers, seem largely unmotivated to address the real issue.

If ever there was a time to get back to basics, then surely it is now and I would like to suggest that the following 10 keys will give you a platform on which to build a fruitful church that will reach lost people. These 10 …

MENTORING – A RELATIONSHIP THAT EMPOWERS – A Tribute to My Mentor John Mallison

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I recently read an article by Thom Rainer entitled ‘The One Common Factor of Effective Church Leaders’.  He began the article by asking a critical question, “Is it possible to find one common factor in the lives and ministries of the most effective church leaders?” He answered, “I think so” and then went on to say that “The most effective church leaders are being continuously and intentionally mentored…   …it is the difference between good leadership and great leadership for most church leaders.”  Having made his point with some conviction, Thom Rainer however had to conclude that “mentoring is missing in over 90% of church leaders’ lives today.”
After …

WORDS THAT HAVE SHAPED MY LIFE 17-24

Rod Denton Induction at Elizabeth Church of Christ_2012 - Copy (2)(17) “MY FATHER IS AT WORK”
An amazing breakthrough came to me after reading Henry Blackaby’s book Experiencing God , that brought to life the words of Jesus after He had offended the religious leaders for healing a man on the sabbath. In reply, Jesus explained His reason for breaking their traditions and living His unpredictable life. “My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working…..the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 5:17,19 A sense of relief gradually settled in my spirit when …

CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS……CAREFULLY! Your future depends on it

J Oswald Sanders 1983 - Copy (3)

One of the wisest persons in the Bible wrote the following words that have served me well in my life of ministry :
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, But the way of the wicked leads them astray.”  Proverbs 12:26

So important was this principle for his readers to take to heart, that he repeated it in varying ways through the book of Proverbs.
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20
“A gossip betrays a confidence, so avoid anyone who talks too much.” Proverbs 20:19
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, …