“It’s one thing to fall, but an entirely different thing to stay there in the mess. “ If your phone fell in a toilet, you’d take immediate and drastic measures before using it. If you stepped in a puddle of vomit, you’d clean your shoes before going out for dinner. But often, we are not as quick to make necessary adjustments when it comes to sin in our lives. Everyone takes a wrong step at times. God Himself says we all sin, we all fall short. So, if you fall, if you step into sin, if the devil wins…
10 Practical Tips to Make Every Small Group Gathering Matter
“There is great joy leading others as you follow Jesus together, and you also bear the responsibility to lead others well. “ Here are 10 practical tips for Small Group leaders (in no particular order.) #1 Make preparation a priority. Remember two important things about leading a Small Group: There is great joy leading others as you follow Jesus together, and you also bear the responsibility to lead others well. With these in mind, get in the habit of setting aside enough time every week to be fully prepared. #2 Be ready. Before your guests arrive, have your lesson finished,…
Hero, Villain, or Just Like You: The Pastor
“Across the scale there are those who adore pastors to a fault (he’s a super-hero), and those who are hypercritical of them (he’s a villain), and everything in between. “ How many churches do you drive past each week? I would imagine that few of them are mega-churches – most are simply just smaller groups of believers gathering together for worship. Each of these churches has at least one pastor who is serving, leading, preaching, teaching, and counseling week after week after week. Consider these pastors for just a minute. If you have a pastor… A pastor is not…
Can you mess up God’s plans for your life?
“God is not caught off guard by your decisions. “ How did I end up here? Maybe I should have chosen a different path… Maybe I shouldn’t have taken this job… Maybe I shouldn’t have dated that person… Maybe I… There’s a sinking feeling when you start second guessing a decision you’ve made. Sometimes in life, your circumstances might seem like a mess created by choices you made weeks, months, or even years earlier. It’s natural to think… “Did I miss out on God’s plans for me? Did God have a great plan for my life, but I messed it…
Something More To Be Found In The Mess
“Before the fog had cleared… before the “happy ending” …before Job ever knew he would see a light at the end of the tunnel, he found something priceless. “ When you’ve been beaten to the ground, there is little comfort in hearing that you will be able to help others in the same situation someday. It is true that one of the greatest spiritual joys in life can be helping others out of the same difficulties you have faced in the past. (More on that here.) But let’s be honest… In the depths of the messiest moments of life, your first…
Sometimes It Takes a Wave
“Sometimes it takes a wave to reveal where you are standing. “ If you’ve ever walked along the beach, there is a place between the water’s edge and the dry sun-baked sand where the ground can feel deceptively firm. Standing in this area can provide unique feeling. Your feet can be firmly planted on the hard surface, but as soon as the tide begins to roll in and a wave washes past your feet, you immediately start to sink down into the sand. One of the most frustrating experiences I’ve ever had was something similar – but…
Better Than Yourselves
“This is especially critical if you serve in any kind of ministry role. “ Some people are easy to love. Some people are not. What does “love your neighbor as yourself” really mean? Is it more of a metaphorical or figurative mindset? Or does it really mean that we are to demonstrate love to everyone we come across… waiting in the check-out line, sitting in church, driving down the road, at the family reunion, in the break-room at work? I believe Jesus called us to really love people. All people. Openly. Actively. Genuinely. Not just those who you…
Sharing the Load
“Delegation is part of Discipleship.” Just Do It Yourself Let’s face it, when it comes to simple Small Group related tasks, it’s often easier to just do it yourself. But just because it’s easier doesn’t mean it’s best. Delegation is part of Discipleship. What happens when you delegate By delegating you can help others experience what it means to lead. You begin to develop other potential leaders. Sometimes another individual can accomplish a particular task better than you. You can focus more intently on preparing the discussion. You are not distracted with the details as people arrive. You…
The Spiritual Chef
“Go the extra mile to serve a memorable learning experience that will engage the participants and help them to retain what they have learned.” “Boredom is God’s way of telling us that we are wasting time.” ― Unknown The Bible is, hands down, the most important words ever written. It is God’s own words – so, those who spend their time teaching it to others should never allow it to be boring. Add some flavor Think of it this way: If you like to cook, you probably know the importance of adding the right mix of spices to a…
Changing Gears for the Summer
“By changing gears during the summer the Small Group leaders, as well as group participants, get a chance to catch their breath as well as enjoy some different aspects of Small Group life.” Who doesn’t love Summer?!? Odds are, the people in your Small Group love summertime (who doesn’t???). But for you as the Small Group leader, summer can often be a difficult time to maintain momentum and consistency within the group. So what should you do…? Cancel? Get frustrated by low attendance? Press on? Give up and move to the beach for the summer? Rather than trying…