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I really think focusing on church size misses the point.  I’m for focusing on church impact…how are lives being changed by the Good News of Jesus Christ? Several years ago, I wrote an article that I think will encourage you, particularly if you are in a smaller town.  You may not be getting the “press” …

I recently had occasion to teach on the subject, “Why Church?”.  The following are some notes from that teaching: “We live in a time where many people are down on the church.  Some like the idea of Jesus, but reject His bride, the church.  And yet, the early church added to their number daily those …

Following a trip to the former Soviet Union in the 1970’s,  Billy Graham was asked by a reporter how he felt about the accusation that he had “set back the church by 50 years”. His reply was something on the order of, “I’m disappointed.  I had hoped to set it back 2000 years!”. I’ve always …

Leadership Barriers to Church Growth Barriers Do Exist Stewart is a runner. Actually he is a jogger, but he calls himself a runner because it makes him feel better about himself. One spring, after a harsh winter where he celebrated the holidays a bit too heartily and almost ate himself into oblivion, he took up …

“Living Like Jesus Did”: Choosing to Live in Christ Experiencing Life in Our New Natures: When we are in Christ, we can determine to live in accordance with either nature.  Believers have a spiritual nature that has been reborn.  Nonbelievers are spiritually dead. We are made alive with the Spirit in Christ “But if Christ …

The Barrier of Team: The Breakthrough of Unity Doug and Lisa were in love at first sight – almost. Doug was interested in Lisa ever since they met at the college group’s all-night party at the nearby amusement park. But since Doug accidentally spilled his hot coffee all over Lisa’s back while they were in …

The Barrier of Leadership: Breakthrough of Certainty Pastor Jerry looked around his staff at the meeting – all five of them. His associate pastor of the last two years was performing above average and led the community care ministries. His youth pastor looked tired a lot of the time, but things were going fine in …

The Barrier of Community: The Breakthrough of Connection Pastor Dave sat at the deacon meeting listening to the latest report from the food pantry coordinator, but his mind was somewhere else – he was daydreaming of what their church was like five years ago. Five years ago their church was busting at the seams. Momentum …

The Barrier of Presentation: A Breakthrough in Excellence Bill was the drama director at First Baptist Church. He did his ministry well and usually, once a month, the drama department at the church would help illustrate the pastor’s teaching with a sketch with humor and relevance. The congregation loved it, and even the traditional service …

The Barrier of Follow-Through: A Breakthrough of Faithfulness Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9, NIV) The Apostle Paul had it tough: he traveled around as an itinerant missionary, planting churches right and left. He had …