Steve Murrell's Blog, page 22

A Multigenerational Vision

On a recent trip to Jordan, I stood on Mount Nebo and couldn’t help but think of the next generation. I thought about Moses and how he saw the Promised Land yet never made it. I thought about the importance of obedience. And I thought about how we should always be visionary leaders thinking about the next generation.

My prayer is that we, as leaders, will always have a multigenerational vision.

“Grateful” by Echo_

This new song by Echo_, the worship team for Every Nation Malaysia, reminds us of God’s greatest sacrifice and why we should be grateful.

The End of the World Is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan

This book is not written from a Christian perspective at all. But when read with a missiological perspective, it is interesting, eye-opening, and helpful as we consider global mission strategies.

View book here →

The world of the past few decades has been the best it will ever be in our lifetime. Instead of cheap and better and faster, we’re rapidly transitioning into a world that’s pricier and worse and slower. Because the world—our world—is breaking apart.

A Leadership Mentality

What mentality should we have when we view the world as spiritual leaders? In John 4, Jesus steps out of the cultural norm and engages the woman at the well.

We see three important points in this text that can help shape our mentality as leaders:

My food is to do the will of God.The fields are ripe for the harvest.Gather fruit for eternal life.

I hope this message encourages you and reminds you that what we’re doing as leaders matters.

“Nothing But The Blood (Live)” by AWAKE84

Here’s a modern take on a classic hymn from AWAKE84’s new album. Enjoy.

The Son of Laughter by Frederick Buechner

The Son of Laughter is a contemporary retelling of Jacob’s story but told differently than most are used to. It’s an interesting take on a well-known Bible character.

View book here →

The Shield was another of the Fear’s names. According to Laughter, it means he shields the seed of Abraham the way a man starting a fire shields the flame. When Sarah was about to die childless, the Fear gave her a son. When Abraham was about to slaughter the son, the Fear gave him the ram. He is always shielding us like a guttering wick, Laughter said, because the fire he is trying to start with us is a fire that the whole world will live to warms its hands at. It is a fire in the dark that will light the whole world home.

A Reason to Praise Him

Sometimes, as leaders, we run into feelings of disappointment. How do we handle these moments?

Throughout the Psalms, we see moments of disappointment that often turn into worship. In Psalm 149, the psalmist shows an expression of hope and joy in the context of praise. It explains:

Who we worshipHow we worshipWhy we worshipWhere we worship

No matter what is going on in your life, there is always a reason to praise our Savior.

Quintessence by Wondersigns

Here’s a new EP release from Every Nation Church Petaling Jaya in Malaysia. I enjoy seeing our churches around the world create and produce music.

The Other Side of Pastoral Ministry by Daniel Brown

While preparing to teach my Pastoral Theology class at Every Nation Seminary, I discovered a book I wish I had read forty years ago: The Other Side of Pastoral Ministry by Daniel Brown. Don’t let the ugly cover fool you; this book is leadership art.

View book here →

For the Sake of the Gospel

I know a lot of leaders who stay in dangerous situations for the sake of the gospel, even though they can leave and go to a place that is safer and more comfortable. Why do they choose to stay?

I want to look at a familiar passage of Scripture where Paul and Silas chose to stay even when they were given their freedom. There’s something that happens when we turn our eyes away from painful and tough situations and turn our eyes to Jesus.

I encourage you, as leaders, to not hesitate to call yourself and others to a place of sacrifice and self-denial for the sake of the gospel.