I've Been Thinking About This…

Perry Noble:

A movement of God cannot be planned, but it must be prepared for.

We try to plan it, but we can’t dictate to the Holy Spirit, and we can’t duplicate what happened in another church.

Acts 1:6-8 – you get to be sent by me (not you or your church).

Get on your face and pray. What are you doing to prepare for God’s movement in your church?

Skye Jethani:

Do we lack the strategy or motivation to grow the church.

The ‘daisy cutter doctrine’ – the larger the impact of our ministry, the greater the impact for the Gospel. This inhibits our ability to speak for the Lord. We look for success in terms of numbers. But Jesus’ ministry by that definition was a failure.

Numbers 20 – Moses disobeys God but the miracle happens regardless. So we conclude that tangible outcome must mean legitimate ministry. This would be wrong.

How different would we be if we rooted our identities in being children of a loving Father? We are called to abandon our outcomes to God.

We are called to deeply commune with Him, then obey without regard to the outcome.

1. your legitimacy comes from God
2. stop judging legitimacy by outcome of ministry
3. if we are truly rooted in Christ, then we will find the power & strength to defy surrounding culture.

Steve Robinson:

talking about “Leading in times of pressure”

What comes out of you when you’re under pressure? The Bible is filled with examples of men & women under intense pressure. Ex 14:13 – “Fear not. Stand firm.” Fear seeks to paralyze you – one of Satan’s greatest weapons.

‘Worry is temporary atheism.’

In times of pressure, step out.

1. fear not
2. stand firm
3. step out
4. hold your peace

Stacy Spencer:

Don’t give up on folks when they fall.

There are a lot of people in ministry that get stuck in a pit – and we walk away. Pits because of unpopular preaching or moral failings. Jeremiah would have died in the well without help - Jer 38:10

Don’t look down on someone unless you’re looking down to help them up.

1. help those who can’t help themselves.
2. do what you’d want them to do for you
3. use church resources to help people who are stuck

Ebed-Melech was spared after the city was captured because he helped Jeremiah

Scott Wilson:

Talking about “Raising the level of leadership at church”

Churches can’t grow past its leadership.

Eph 4:11 – He gave some to be apostles …

Leaders need to equip people of God to do the ministry, not to do it myself.

We can lead only the number we’re currently leading. To grow, you need to become leaders of leaders.

1. year 1: model: we should be reading (35 books in the year – 100 leadership CDs)
2. year 2: mentor: (20 books & 50 CDs) – plus discipling other people – being equippers.
3. year 3: multiply: get the followers to mentor.

Do you have a system in place to grow?

Amy Hanson:

talking about “ministry to middle & old-aged”

We need to develop ministries for active older folks who don’t want to be marginalized.

1. They represent a huge network of resources in time and wisdom. They may have an entreprenurial spirit; they could mentor younger people.
2. Many don’t have a relationship with Christ. They are often in crisis – loss of loved ones, loss of jobs – and they may be open to salvation.
3. This is a chanceto rewrite church culture for this age group.

   Send article as PDF