Articles in this category focus on rejoicing in the community of other believers, how to build and nurture community, and how to better reflect Jesus Christ to our brothers and sisters in the faith.
We have three grown kids, one grandson, and one grandchild on the way. We love all of our kids and they love us. As I reflect over my parenting years, I’d give myself a solid “B+” in the parenting department. But, I also would have parented differently in several ways.
Charles Stone
As a leader, having routine conversations to collect feedback about what you can do to become a better leader can be uncomfortable at times – at least when the person you’re seeking feedback from is either your boss or peer.
Robert McMillan
Just as the Christian life is union and fellowship, even so the church is union and fellowship. Its nature is union. Its nature is fellowship. Union and fellowship with Christ, and union and fellowship with each other – in Christ. That is all the church is: union and fellowship with each other, in Him. And every other aspect of church [...]
Malcolm Webber
In the Leadership Labyrinth, Judson Edwards describes 21 paradoxes in ministry. He defines the “relationship paradox” in this way: the people who like you most will be the ones you try least to please. He writes that three kinds of people fill every church. Would you agree with his assessment?
Charles Stone
What should you communicate to your leader, to your boss? What needs to be shared with your leader to help him/her understand the area you are leading and stewarding? Here are three things you should communicate to your leader.
Eric Geiger
We all need people who encourage us and affirm us. We all enjoy positive feedback. But more precious still are people who will be honest with us about where we are failing.
Elaine Vitikainen
For many leaders, our biggest challenge isn’t giving love and encouragement — it’s receiving them.
Adrian Pei
I admit it. I have a tendency to be a loner. I like my personal space and my private time. I recognize, though, that my tendencies aren’t always the best for a pastor. Here are my reflections on others like me.
Chuck Lawless
City walls helped create a shared identity amongst a people. They provided security – a safe environment to work together productively. But some of the churches and NGOs I work with sadly remind me of Jerusalem’s city walls in the time of Nehemiah. The organisation’s walls are broken down by internal conflict, mistrust and fear. [...]
Dr. Stanley Arumugam
Can a short book like Philemon provide us with extensive insight into the nature of the Early Church? Find out in this brief excerpt from Glimpses of Church Life: An Exposition of Philemon, by Malcolm Webber.
Malcolm Webber
Everybody faces conflict. Wise leaders, however, know how to manage conflict when it comes. Four good questions arise from Acts 15 for how to face conflict.
Charles Stone
Wise leaders and pastors understand that lasting change requires individuals to change first before an organization will change. Your change won’t last or will disrupt your church unless those in your teams personally embrace the change first, at least at some level. So it behooves us to first understand why most people initially resist [...]
Charles Stone
“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Skye Jethani
If you interact with other humans, chances are you'll experience some sort of rejection, and that can feel like being in the center of a storm without any shelter or comfort. Eric reminds us that leaders must weather the storms of rejection.
Eric Richardson
Today I look at our world and how much the culture has changed to reflect a pervasive attitude of self-focus. Yet, God’s Word has never changed and still instructs us as parents and grandparents to train up our children in Him.
Kathleen Hershberger
Feedback is an essential part of change. Feedback should be both positive and ‘negative’.
Rick James
Good listening is a great means of grace in the dynamic of true Christian fellowship. Not only is it a channel through which God continues to pour his grace into our lives, but it’s also his way of using us as his means of grace in the lives of others. It may be one of the hardest things we learn to do, but we will find it worth every [...]
David Mathis
The world has enough pagans. Even plenty of really nice ones. What we need is kids who fully grasp the reality that they have nothing to offer, but who intimately know a God who has everything they need.
Barrett Johnson
Not only is there healing and recovery for those who have experienced church hurt but you can learn powerful and positive life-changing lessons on the journey. What happens when Christians aren't behaving like Christians?
Brittney Moses
Brent Hoover