Notable Voices and the Week in Review: December 23, 2017
Eight Reflections on 40 Years of Marriage
Ten Important Trends for Churches in 2018 – Rainer on Leadership #390
Zero-Based Church Scheduling
Nine Essential Qualities Found in Replant Leaders – Revitalize & Replant #020
Finding the Right Rhythm in Your Preaching Ministry – Rainer on Leadership #391
God is faithful — Elizabeth Hyndman
When we’re still waiting, when the ring finger remains empty, when the diagnosis means pain, when the job goes to someone else, when there’s no plus sign on the pregnancy test, when there’s an empty seat at our table, God is faithful. He is faithfully with us, to the end of the age.
4 Uncomfortable Church Trends — Landon Coleman
these are trends I don’t quite understand. They’re trends I would not want to uncritically embrace at Immanuel. And if I were searching for a church for my family, these practices would probably prevent me from joining a particular church. Enough disclaimers and explanations. Here are 4 church trends that make me uncomfortable:
Four Essentials of a Great Christmas Eve Service — Sam Rainer
Your Christmas Eve service is worth the effort. Families are often together during this time. That uncle who refuses to go to church will often capitulate and go to a Christmas Eve service, since the rest of the family is going together. Those who are detached from the church will often return for sentimental reasons. Additionally, the unchurched will recognize many of the Christmas songs, so they are more likely to participate. If the New Year is all about resolve, then Christmas is all about hope. Christmas is one of the few traditions in our culture that is universally accepted. With these thoughts in mind, there are four essentials of a great Christmas Eve service.
10 Mistakes Churches Make at Christmastime — Jonathan Howe
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. Some would even say it’s the most wonderful time of the year. While it still has its wonderment, Christmastime has a tendency to be stressful as well—especially in the church. Unfortunately stress can lead churches to plan poorly and make unnecessary mistakes. Here are ten such mistakes to avoid in your church this Christmas:
Why Take a Short-term International Mission Trip? — Rob Hurtgen
The Lord has been incredibly gracious allowing me to travel and serve him in some unique places around the world. These short-term mission trips have not only impacted my faith but have shaped me as a pastor. On occasion I have been asked, “Why, when it is so expensive to travel and there are so many needs here should anyone take a short-term mission trip?” I would like briefly offer some reasons as to why you should consider taking a short-term mission trip in 2018.
3 Qualities Of Outstanding Church Volunteers — Meredith Mohr
So how do you get from needing a solid base of volunteers to having a volunteer team that maximizes the work of ministry or organization is doing? As you’re building a team of volunteers, look for some of these key traits below.
