Josh Hunt's Blog, page 271
December 8, 2015
How to reach the world in 33 years
According to an ancient legend, the chessboard was originally invented in India. The wealthy ruler was so appreciative of the new game that he offered to reward the inventor and asked him what he wanted. His answer was simple. He asked for a single grain of rice to be placed on the first square of […]
5 Reasons churches are in decline
From your own experience what would you list as the top 5 reasons churches are declining in our country? I don’t have research at my finger tips to support my own thoughts on this topic but I offer what I see as I coach church leaders around the country. If you evaluate your church, leadership […]
December 7, 2015
Learning ministry from Jesus
Jesus ministered to the multitudes, but He spent most of His time with 12 men, His disciples. He set the stage for small-group ministry where everyone has the opportunity to get involved and begin to use his or her spiritual gifts. And even though He called 12, He gave priority to a small group of […]
December 6, 2015
What is a small group leader to do?
A third conversation from my past explores what it means to participate in God’s activity in our groups and in the world. This dialogue occurred within my own soul. This is my story. I’ve had a unique opportunity; while I was in my early twenties, I began helping authors write on this topic as an […]
December 5, 2015
Willpower won’t cut it
When it comes to spiritual progress, willpower won’t cut it. Our flesh can never do the work of the Spirit. Granted, with self-discipline we can make changes. We can tack on new behaviors and stop doing other behaviors. But those kinds of changes are exhausting—and almost always temporary. They’re hard to pull off and even […]
Three types of small groups
The foundation for community groups at Cross Point is based on the vision for the overall church: to be a community of believers radically devoted to Christ, irrevocably committed to one another, and relentlessly dedicated to reaching those outside God’s family with the gospel of Christ. Each group is expected to pursue all three things: […]
December 4, 2015
The kind of (group) leader God uses
Are you thinking of leading a small group? Please don’t worry if you cannot see yourself as a super Christian or a great leader. Let’s take a look at the kind of people God calls into leadership. This may surprise you! Moses: When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses felt […]
Sermon-based small groups
Sermon-based groups are all the rage these days. I see it as the #2 trend in church life in this decade. (#1 is the multi-site church, which will transform church in the next 20 years as much as franchises have changed the business world in the last 20 years.) The leading spokesman for sermon-based groups […]
December 3, 2015
What is a good small group leader?
Nothing in this physical world has influenced my life like other people have. As I look back on the steps I have taken with Jesus, I think about friends like Gavin, Jackson, Scott, Terry, Greg, Bryan, Janice and Mary. Mentors like Brenda, Mike, Joey, Alan and Jim come to mind. Those I have mentored like […]
The Bonsai Theory of Church Growth
One of the most helpful books ever written on Church Growth is The Bonsai Theory of Church Growth by Ken Hemphill. Dr. Hemphill communicates powerful and enduing church growth principles through the visual metaphor of the Bonsai. Here is an excerpt: The bonsai pot may be the most identifiable accessory for growing bonsai trees. The […]
