(**Perhaps the most difficult aspect of pastoral ministry is watching people leave the church you pastor. Though people leave a church for a variety of reasons it always comes down to the same thing: The Great Shepherd is moving His sheep. After several recent conversations with friends who are experiencing this difficulty, I felt led to share what I’ve been learning over the past few … Continue reading When God Moves Them Away
In this month’s episode Pastor Josh talks with Pastor Jonathan Blankenship and Pastor Cody Kuehl about the impact of corporate prayer in their churches. Links from Episode Grand Rapids Baptist Church Laurel Baptist Church Subscribe in iTunes Continue reading The Idea Talks Episode 03 – The Impact of Corporate Prayer
(photo: Angelos Tzortzinis/Getty) For nearly a year we have watched the horrific persecution of Christians by the Muslim terrorist organization known as Isis. The Christians of Syria and Iraq have been burned alive, shot in the streets, and beheaded simply because they refuse to convert to Islam. Now the barbarism has forced millions of refugees from Syria to flee into the neighboring countries of Turkey, … Continue reading Isis, Syrian Refugees, & The Paris Attacks
In Stella Ting-Toomey’s fascinating book Understanding Intercultural Communication, the author presents eight solid reasons to study intercultural communication. She proposes that it is essential for leaders in the 21st century to understand how to communicate effectively in this ever-shrinking global society. Though she gives eight reasons in the first chapter of her book I will only cover what I believe to be most important four. … Continue reading The Importance of Studying Culture – 4 Reasons
God has blessed our church in the past but I’ve never seen anything like this! Over the past few months we have seen God’s blessings poured out over our church as never before. I felt led to share with you a few of the blessings we are seeing right now! 1. Extreme Numerical Growth Over the past 9 years we have seen some measured growth … Continue reading Like I’ve Never Seen It Before
A few weeks ago someone pointed me to a blog that is built upon the premise of tearing down fellow Christians. The entire website seemed dedicated to the proposition of disparaging and destroying people who love God and Christian institutions. You would think this type of thing would be produced by an unbeliever who merely misunderstands Christianity. However, you’d be wrong. The creator of the … Continue reading Why I Won’t Criticize Another Church Leader
This coming sunday you have a great opportunity to invite someone to our Fall Kick-Off Sunday! We are expecting another record attendance and want you to be involved! Here are a few ideas that might get you thinking. 9. The Bashful Neighbor If you are a bit of an introvert you can still invite your neighbor to church. Just take one of the church invite … Continue reading 9 Ways to Invite Someone to Church
This is a guest post by Pastor Josh Irmler Romans 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. There are many metaphors in the Scriptures used to describe the church. The Church is referred to as the Family of … Continue reading A Healthy “Body”
