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Community in Ministry Is Critical

All Access
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Surrounding yourself with believers who will encourage and equip you is paramount for your relationship with God. This thought isn’t new, but it’s more important than ever. However, for pastors and church leaders, being in close relationships with others is often easier said than done.

Aware of this unique challenge that ministries face today, Pastor Jonathan Stockstill at Bethany Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, envisioned a place where fostering a healthy community for personal and spiritual growth was the foundation. As a third-generation pastor of a church founded in 1963, it was this thought that spurred the creation of All Access, Bethany Church’s pastoral network. 

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that ministry isn’t easy. Remember, Jesus spoke about the hardships we would all face when we follow Him. Sadly, too many people have attempted to do life alone, and the burden becomes too much to bear. Through All Access, church leaders can become part of a network of pastors from across the country who pray, fellowship, and share resources and experiences with one another. It is the ministry’s mission to strengthen the local church by empowering and refreshing pastors and leaders.   

Knowing there’s more competition for a pastor’s attention than ever, it can be hard to justify and commit to opportunities that require more than a few minutes of one’s calendar. In fact, the value of in-person interaction can easily be overlooked in favor of what’s easiest and most convenient. Ensuring that the ministry’s focus remains on relationships that last, All Access values connection and intentionally creates fun environments where gathering with other like-minded churches is easy and makes differences that last.      

It’s through these opportunities that one quickly realizes the impact that relationships have on accountability, growth, and long-term success. Investing in the right relationships is crucial, and All Access offers specific events for both senior pastors and key church leaders throughout the year. Whether it’s a time of refreshing and restoration or strategizing and empowering, there’s much to gain from coming together with other believers who know you and support you.  

Your interaction with All Access doesn’t stop once the event ends. In fact, it’s just beginning. As part of the All Access family, everything available to you between events is free! Through one-on-one coaching, an extensive library of resources for local churches, and its own podcast, All Access strives to see you succeed long after you leave town.

Whether you’ve come back for more or are checking things out for the first time, you can experience All Access in action during EMPOWER 2023. Happening Sept. 11-13 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pastors and key church leaders will gather during insightful team-specific lab sessions, powerful corporate worship moments, personal ministry times, and more. Come get a taste of the one-of-a-kind culture and hospitality of South Louisiana and return home with relationships and resources that can help you last a lifetime. To sign up or learn more, visit bethanyallaccess.com or email allaccess@bethany.com.       

Biblical Advice for Overwhelmed Leaders

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Overwhelmed leaders are nothing new. There must have been a time when Moses was overwhelmed with responsibility. He may not have recognized it at the time, but if he wasn’t careful he would soon face burnout. That is somewhat speculation on my part, but it surely must have been what his father-in-law observed as he watched Moses attempt to lead so many people. Wisdom of life and experiences teaches us many things.

It’s one of my favorite leadership stories of the Bible.

If you are currently overwhelmed in leadership there may be something here for you. Grab your Bible and read Exodus Chapter 18.

Biblical Advice for Overwhelmed Leaders

Notice Jethro says to Moses, “What you’re doing is not good.” Sounds like the voice of experience to me. He looked into Moses’ life, perhaps a little further down the road than Moses in the middle of leading could see, and he had a strong word of caution for him.

Overwhelmed, stretched, stressed out leader, can I be of voice of wisdom and life experience for you? I hope that’s OK, because I want to be a little more direct with you.

What you are doing is not good.

At least not long-term. There are always seasons. I’m in one now. But those seasons can’t last forever. We were not designed for it. The Sabbath concept was established in our creation.

So, if that’s you, here’s what I see from Jethro’s encouragement to an overwhelmed leader:

Admit reality. Recognize the fallacy of trying to be all things to all people. Realize you can’t do it all. Admit you need help. Raise the white flag to someone. “What you are doing is not good.” (Vs. 17)

Say it with me: What I’m doing isn’t good!  

Seek sound advice. Find some trusted, experienced advisors. (Vs. 19) Ask them to speak into your life. You may have to recruit these voices.

It might not be your father-in-law as it was for Moses. My father-in-law spoke a few nuggets of wisdom in my life, mostly about raising boys. You may not have that advantage, but there are likely wise people around you if you will look for them. You should seek their help.

5 Reasons People Are Drifting From Church

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There’s a big difference between missing a Sunday and disconnecting from your church. There are key reasons people are drifting from church.

Vacations, travel for work, and kids have travel ball. That’s part of life. But when part of life, turns into a different life, it may be time to re-think your new trend and the possible results.

A long-time friend and volunteer leader in his church had not attended in months. I asked him if something had upset him.

He said, “No, I love my church. We just got busy, started missing here and there, and then, well you know, it was just easier not to go. Oh, and we watch online sometimes.”

We talked for a long time. It was a great conversation.

He concluded by saying, “You know, I really don’t have a good reason for no longer attending church, I just got lazy. My family (they have three kids), and I will start again next week.” And they did.

As human beings, we follow habits and patterns.

When it comes to church, drifting from church leads to distance and distance leads to disconnection.

The point of weekly worship is not attendance; it’s participation in the body of Christ.

Christianity was never designed to be an independent endeavor. God created us to be in relationship with Him and each other. He made us on purpose with a purpose, and we live that out best together.

If you’re not worshipping at your church much these days, I hope this post encourages you to return. There is something special about worship with the body of Christ.

People return to church for a variety of reasons, including a direct prompt from God.

Sometimes they return because of their kids. That’s great! Sometimes it’s because of personal tragedy, that’s always heartbreaking, but I’m still glad they return. It might be a wedding or a funeral. Your church is happy to see you again, but I truly believe your life is more enriched when you regularly participate as part of the body of Christ. If any of the following excuses ring true for you, perhaps this is a good time to return to church.

5 Reasons People Are Drifting From Church

Drifting From Church Reason #1: “The church doesn’t meet my needs.”

It’s possible that a church may not meet all your needs; in fact, it’s likely.

The question of expectations is usually at the core of this issue. What should a church, your church, be expected to do, offer, or provide?

What is the role of the church, according to the Bible?

This post would be far too long if I wrote a detailed answer to that question, but I can summarize the primary purpose of the church in two words: “make disciples.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

That means the church’s primary function is to help people mature in their faith, to grow spiritually. (And that includes first reaching those who are far from Jesus.)

After that, all “programs” are an option. Since no one church can do everything, it’s a choice the leaders must make.

The most common example of a church not meeting someone’s needs is a complaint that the sermon lacks in some way. It doesn’t “feed” them.

I’m the first to agree that the Sunday message should be well prepared, based on scripture and bathed in prayer. But as a person grows in their spiritual maturity, they become able to dig out biblical truth and wisdom from the Bible on their own. The Sunday sermon becomes a gold mine for anyone to find a nugget of applicable truth and wisdom.

Ultimately, the church is a place where you help meet the needs of others.

The church’s primary function is to help people mature in their faith, to grow spiritually. After that, all “programs” are an option.Click To Tweet

Drifting From Church Reason #2: “I attend online.”

Online church is awesome. Technology helps advance the purpose of the church in significant ways. You might not be feeling well, traveling for work or on vacation. There are many times when online church is a great resource, and some people physically can’t attend.

One advantage I love about online church is sharing a sermon with a friend who is not a Christian.

The Truth About Leading Worship

truth about leading worship
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Here’s the truth about leading worship: If you’ve been a worship leader for any amount of time, you’ll experience and/or ask questions like these eventually.

“Why don’t they get it?!”

“Don’t they love God?”

I know I have…MANY, MANY times throughout the last several years.

The Truth About Leading Worship

There have been times where I’ve walked away from a service and felt defeated.

I’ve felt like a failure.

Why?

Because the church, for whatever reason, just wasn’t into worshiping together in song that day.

It’s discouraging…it’s hard to grasp, especially if you’re a worship leader that’s passionate about this crazy, awesome and sometimes frustrating thing called corporate worship.

Well…I want to…need to…write this post.

Not just for other worship leaders, but for this worship leader.

One thing that has been consistent throughout my years leading worship is the inconsistency of focus and intensity in worship services and churches. It would be easy if we could just walk in every Sunday to an atmosphere and crowd like the ones that flock to Chris Tomlin and Hillsong United concerts. It would be fun and effortless, but that’s just not the reality of a church.

A church is like a family. Some days are better than others. Some days I come home from work and my wife, kids and the dog meet me at the door like I’m Ward Cleaver, so glad to see their Husband and Dad, as I walk into the sweet aroma of a delicious dinner.

Then there are days when I come home and the kids are driving my lovely wife to near insanity and the dog pukes on the carpet, because he got into some chocolate left out.

It’s not always ideal, but it’s real.

Church is the same way.

Preteen Ministry Musts: 4 Guidelines for Next-Level Success

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Preteen ministry bridges an important gap between programs for children and teens. Discover a veteran leader’s recommendations for top-notch ministry to preteens and tweens.

Not all great ministry models look the same. But four core ingredients can take any preteen ministry to the next level. I call these the secret sauce.

4 Pointers for Preteen Ministry

1. Recruit caring teachers.

This might seem obvious. Rather than concentrating volunteers’ efforts on maintaining control of our big kids, though, we focus on volunteers’ relationships with preteens. Kids must listen to parents, and they’re supposed to listen to teachers. But they’ll really listen to a volunteer who consistently shows care.

So how are you modeling care to volunteers? Train them to prioritize listening. Put forming genuine relationships over rules. Then check out the Group U Course on The L.I.F.E Strategy for Recruiting and Equipping Volunteers. Discover tools to recruit, train, and manage volunteers.

2. Make it Jesus-centered.

It’s easy to unintentionally put ourselves at the center of ministries we lead. But we must make Jesus’ love for preteens the true center. That means setting aside our personal goals, our image, and our success. Regularly ask if your preteen ministry is Jesus-centered. Or is your focus elsewhere?

How are you identifying the purpose behind aspects of your program? How do you evaluate to ensure they’re all about exalting Jesus?

3. Develop a group of positively influencing peers.

No matter how cool and relevant you and your 23-year-old volunteer are, preteens will strive to impress their peers. So intentionally pinpoint influential preteens who can assume leadership roles. Then guide those influencers to have a deeper impact on your group.

Who can you develop as leaders? When and how will you do it?

Summer Ideas for Kids: 8 Sizzling Activities for Children’s Ministry

summer ideas for kids
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Summer ideas for kids build relationships with God and others. Amaze children and families with these eight dazzling summer ideas that will help them grow closer to God.

“Love is to the heart what the summer is to the farmer’s year,” Billy Graham said. “It brings to harvest all the loveliest flowers of the soul.”

We couldn’t agree more! Summer is the perfect time to celebrate God’s love. So check out all these great summer ideas for kids.

8 Sensational Summer Ideas for Kids

Bring the students in your children’s ministry on eight summer adventures. Check out all these exciting summer ideas for kids:

1. Good Samaritan Shadow Play

Involve kids in retelling the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Age Level: 10 to 12

You’ll need:

  • 2 large white bedsheets sewed together
  • a clothesline
  • clothespins
  • a lamp

The Activity

Before class, hang the bedsheets from the clothesline. Place the lamp on the floor 10 feet behind the curtain.

Say: God wants us to love our neighbors. A man in the Bible wanted to know who was a neighbor. This man didn’t really want to love everybody. He was hoping it would be okay to show love to only friends and family. Let’s see what Jesus said.

Form two groups. Have one group go behind the curtain and the other be the audience. Assign a role in Luke 10:30-37 to each child behind the curtain. Then turn off the lights except the lamp. Have kids pantomime their parts behind the sheet and in front of the lamp, while a willing reader reads the Scripture. Then have the groups switch roles.

Show Love to Others

Afterward, ask:

  • How might the beat up person have felt?
  • How do you think he felt when he saw the priest approaching him?
  • What about when the priest left without helping him?

Say: The Israelites didn’t like the Samaritans. If Israelites needed to cross Samaria to travel somewhere, they’d travel hundreds of miles out of their way just to avoid entering Samaria.

Ask:

  • How might the Israelite have felt when the Samaritan stopped to help him?
  • Why do you think Jesus said the Samaritan was a true neighbor in the story?

Say: The Samaritan showed love to a person who normally would have nothing to do with him. God helped the Samaritan love the Israelite. God helps us love others, too.

Ask:

  • When and why can it be hard to love others sometimes?
  • How can you show love to others even when it’s tough?

Close in prayer, thanking God for loving us. Ask him to help us love others.

Larry Shallenberger
Erie, Pennsylvania

2. Wall Art

This creative idea will help kids reflect on biblical lessons you teach all year.

Age Level: 6 to 12

You’ll need:

  • bulletin board paper
  • tape
  • tempera paints
  • a vacant classroom wall

The Activity

Select a wall in your classroom that kids can paint after each lesson. You may choose to cover the wall with bulletin board paper or let kids paint the wall itself after each class

session. Place stored tempera paints nearby.

After each lesson, invite kids to spend five minutes finger painting things they remember about the lesson on one section of the wall. Write the Scripture or story title above the group of paintings. You can revisit the wall during any lesson or teaching time to remind kids of the lesson and event.

Once the wall is covered or the year is completed, simply repaint the wall or tear down the paper.

Jack Flannery
Hamilton, Ohio

‘This Effort Falls Woefully Short’—Christian Leaders Denounce 2024 Republican Party Platform for Compromising on Abortion

Republican Party Platform
L: Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Whatley, speaking with attendees at The People's Convention at Huntington Place in Detroit, Michigan. Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. R: Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee, Lara Trump, in Duluth, Minnesota, June 20, 2018. DougCoulter, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 2024 Republican Party Platform, which the Republican National Committee (RNC) adopted Monday, July 8, has drawn sharp criticism from Christian leaders for softening the party’s stance against abortion. The platform comes from presidential candidate and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump and has also received criticism for the process by which the RNC adopted it.

“Party platforms should be aspirational and communicate the highest principles guiding those who seek to lead our nation. This effort falls woefully short of that standard,” said Brent Leatherwood, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), in a social media post Tuesday morning.

In an July 8 op-ed for Religion News Service written prior to the platform’s adoption, Leatherwood said, “To abandon the party’s pro-life commitments just as the abortion regime has been knocked on its heels would be nothing short of political malpractice.”

2024 Republican Party Platform Makes Waves

In addition to publishing the platform of the Republican Party of the United States, the RNC presides over the activities of the party and organizes fundraising, campaign strategies, and the party’s national convention. 

The Republican National Convention will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from July 15-18, and at that event the party will officially select its nominee for president. Donald Trump is the presumptive nominee, and his newly-approved platform is expected to be adopted at the convention as well next week.

“Only President Trump can restore our economy, restore our Southern Border, and restore America’s standing in the world,” said RNC Chairman Michael Whatley and RNC Co-Chair Lara Trump in a press release about the RNC approval of the platform. “His 2024 Republican Party Platform is a bold roadmap that will undo the devastating damage that Joe Biden’s far-left policies have done to this country, power President Trump to a historic victory in November, and Make America Great Again.”  

The 2024 Republican Party Platform leads with Trump’s slogan, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!,” and is dedicated to “the Forgotten Men and Women of America.” The document expounds on 20 points listed in the RNC’s press release. 

A section titled, “Republicans Will Protect and Defend a Vote of the People, from within the States, on the Issue of Life,” says the following: 

We proudly stand for families and Life. We believe that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees that no person can be denied Life or Liberty without Due Process, and that the States are, therefore, free to pass Laws protecting those Rights. After 51 years, because of us, that power has been given to the States and to a vote of the People. We will oppose Late Term Abortion, while supporting mothers and policies that advance Prenatal Care, access to Birth Control, and IVF (fertility treatments).

This is a major change to the Republican Party’s platform, which had remained the same since 2016 after the party skipped updating it in 2020. The 2016 platform said, “We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to children before birth.” 

Gateway Church Settled Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Involving Minor Prior to Morris’ Resignation; Joyce Meyer Withdraws From Speaking Engagement

gateway church
Photo credit: Jared Stump

It has recently been discovered that Gateway Church settled a sexual abuse lawsuit that involved a minor, who was less than 12 years old, exactly two months (April 18) prior to the resignation announcement (June 18) of the church’s founder, Robert Morris.

Elders accepted Robert Morris’ resignation from Gateway Church on June 18, four days after allegations came to light that he had abused a 12-year-old in the 1980s.

While the newly reported lawsuit didn’t involve Morris, the suit accused multiple Gateway Church pastors and a youth leader of concealing the sexual assault of a minor that took place in March 2018.

RELATED: Robert Morris Resigns as Gateway Church’s Senior Pastor Following Sexual Abuse Allegations

According to court documents, the plaintiffs (the minor and her mother, both of whom are Gateway Church members) accused Gateway Church, five of its pastors, and a youth worker of gross negligence for failing to report an incident to local law enforcement and to the minor’s mother. This alleged negligence allowed the “perpetrator to remain active in the church,” possibly causing harm to others.

The lawsuit stated that the “Defendants, as ordained pastors and appointed ministry leaders, had a duty to use reasonable care towards Plaintiff Doe and other members of the congregation in reporting instances of criminal activity to the appropriate law enforcement entities.”

The “Defendants breached this duty” by failing to “contribute to a safe environment for children and members of the church, failing to report the abuse to authorities to protect Plaintiff Doe from further abuse, and failing to fully disclose…knowledge of sexual assault to Plaintiffs.”

RELATED: ‘We Mourn…But We Do It Together,’ Says Gateway Church Pastor Following Standing Ovation for Robert Morris’ Son

The lawsuit claims that, due to the failure of Gateway Church’s leaders to report the sexual abuse, the plaintiff endured damages, which included “physical pain sustained in the past,” “severe psychological pain and mental anguish,” “emotional distress sustained in the past, present, and future,” and future medical expenses.

The minor and her mother were seeking between $200,000 and $5,000,000 in damages, but on April 18 the lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount.

As part of the settlement, according to court documents, the Gateway Church pastors and the youth worker denied any liability to the sexual abuse survivor and her mother and explained that they entered the settlement “solely to buy peace.”

The Incident Didn’t Take Place at a Gateway Church Event

Lawrence Swicegood, Executive Director of Gateway Media, informed ChurchLeaders that the sexual abuse incident from the 2020 lawsuit “did not happen at a Gateway campus nor at any Gateway event.”

Tennessee Church Raffles off AR-15 To Celebrate Independence Day

The River of Tri-Cities Church
Screengrab via Facebook / @The River of Tri-Cities

A Tennessee church raffled off an AR-15 rifle as part of its Independence Day celebration over the weekend. Dr. Todd Holmes, senior pastor of The River of Tri-Cities Church in Johnson City, said that he sees the giveaway as part of a broader effort for his church to “be a blessing” to the community.

“This is just one of the many giveaways that we do here at our church,” Holmes told WJHL last week. “And I thought it was appropriate, since it’s about our nation’s independence and part of our Constitution and our Second Amendment rights.”

Although Holmes acknowledged that some might be uncomfortable with the giveaway, particularly those who have been affected by gun violence, he seemed to downplay those concerns. 

“There’s a lot more opportunity to be killed in vehicular violence, or crash I guess I should say, than there would be a gun,” Holmes said. “And people can get upset about something, but in the end, it’s really not about a gun. It’s about a person’s heart, because a gun in itself is not evil. It’s as good or as evil as the person that’s using it.”

RELATED: Covenant School Parents: Tennessee Lawmakers Are ‘Doing Nothing’ About Guns

The AR-15 was given away on Sunday (July 7) during the church’s worship service, which was live streamed to Facebook

“We had a raffle set up here in the lobby here,” Holmes said. “And we are going to—because of our Second Amendment rights—now you couldn’t do this in North Korea. You couldn’t do this in China. You couldn’t do this in Canada…But you can in the United States of America.” 

Scattered affirmations of “amen” could be heard throughout the congregation.

“And we don’t worship guns,” Holmes clarified as the worship keyboardist continued to play. “That’s the corniest thing I’ve ever heard in my life. But we’re going to give away this rifle here today.”

Holmes then instructed someone to bring the rifle onto the church’s stage. He was also joined onstage by his wife and co-senior pastor, Katie, who joked about being “a deplorable woman.” 

RELATED: Mexican Church Suspends Priest Who Advised Carrying Guns To Fight Off Drug Cartels

“This is awesome to be able to do this,” Katie said as the rifle was brought forward. She went on to refer to those who would criticize the raffle as “small-brained liberals.” 

3 Big Mistakes in Making Church Policies

church policies
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No one likes rules, but without them, life descends into chaos.

No one likes to be told what to do either, but without submission to authority, we experience confusion, and misalignment. A better approach to the necessity of authority is mutual voluntary submission, the essence of a great team.

Either way, great leaders must also learn to follow, even if it is sometimes feels like an inconvenience, or possibly slows us down.

Let’s be honest; wherever leaders are growing an organization, and people have strong opinions about subjective issues, conflict will arise and slow the organization down.

Policies get written to align the team and help solve those problems.

The truth is that we need policies. Staff policies, finance policies, security policies, and the list goes on.

We may not like policies but we need these guidelines, fences, and boundaries that not only help us move together as an aligned team but protect us from wasting time, effort, and energy.

Most of your policies will impact primarily staff and a few key leaders, but your congregation is a mirror of your staff!

The best organizational policies help make life and leadership better and make subjective issues clear. They also save time from repeating the same conversation over and over, and they reflect common sense.

Ultimately, a good policy serves the team; the team does not serve the policy.

Good policies should not slow you down, except perhaps momentarily, they actually help you run faster because they streamline decision-making.

Three Big Mistakes Churches Tend To Make When It Comes to Policy

Mistake # 1: Making a Policy as a Substitute for Leadership.

Lead by influence, not by policy.
Policies are meant to aid your organizational effectiveness. These “rules” must help the organization make progress and move forward toward the vision.

Policies are meant to aid your organizational effectiveness. These “rules” must help the organization make progress and move forward toward the vision.

Leadership is required to establish the culture, reinforce behaviors, and inspire good attitudes, not policies.

Don’t solve problems by writing polices.
It’s not wise to write a policy when an honest conversation will take care of the situation.

More often than not, an undesirable behavior can be handled much more effectively by having a tough conversation with grace and love. When you attempt to solve problems through policies, you erode your leadership.

Mistake # 2: Ignoring the Policies You Made.

Never write a policy that you don’t intend to enforce.
If the policy isn’t helpful enough to hold people accountable, then don’t write it. The quickest way to erode a good and helpful policy is to write it and then act as if it doesn’t exist.

Take your time to think it through, get feedback, test it out, and when it’s ready, don’t apologize for it.

If the policy is good for one, it’s good for all.
We all love exceptions—I know I do! My human tendency is to read some policies and think, “This doesn’t mean me,” and move on. But that’s not good leadership.

It’s true that not every policy affects me, or maybe you, as much as others do, but that’s not the same thing as dismissing it. We must always respect and support the policies that we write.

Church Planting in Inner-City Contexts: 3 Tensions To Navigate

communicating with the unchurched

There is a misnomer in church planting, and it’s this: inner-city church planting is just a subset of the broader church planting movement. These inner-cities are sections of major cities that have neighborhoods with pockets of people with high concentrations of poverty, violence, drug dealing/addiction, illiteracy, and single-parent homes, and they are often called marginalized. After more than a decade of planting churches in some of the most impoverished and dangerous cities in America, I have learned a valuable lesson that I could have only learned by being in close proximity to those in our inner-cities.

The lesson I learned is this: Pastoring and planting churches in inner-city contexts provides an environment of tension that can increase both discipleship and evangelism in unusual and radical ways that may otherwise seem impossible. God is indeed at work in mighty ways in our cities. The irony is that many of us have so distanced ourselves from the city that we have now come to see it as an altogether different world. In Urban Ministry: The Kingdom, the City & the People of God, Manuel Ortiz and Harvie Conn write, “The suburbs were created to escape the evils of the city. Little did they realize in doing so, they have separated themselves from the mission of the church to seek the peace in the city.”

Take Camden, New Jersey, for example. There, I served as pastor of Epiphany Fellowship Church for many years. As one author wrote, “Camden is where those discarded as human refuse are dumped.” This is both a gross stereotype of the people of Camden and an honest assessment of the challenges those same people face. After all, the crime index of Camden is 600 times higher than the national average.

Incredibly, however, the labels that those in Camden are given—along with many in inner-cities—are the very realities that cause inner-city church planting to be one of the clearest examples of God and His people at work. With violence, poverty, and a lack of jobs and income daily struggles that many (though not all) in the inner-city face, you would think that something like COVID-19 would have been catastrophic. Indeed, the pandemic has hit inner-city communities—often home to ethnic minorities–harder than nearly any other population. 

But many of those in inner-city contexts are also resilient and have weathered many storms with steadfast faith and remarkable hope. There is indeed something incredible that happens when hope breeds in the cauldron of struggle. 

Let me share just three tensions that have allowed inner-city church planters to see God at work in remarkable ways—and what we all can learn from them.

Tension #1: Ingrown vs. Missional

The inner-city church is often poor and often has few tangible resources. For many inner-city church planters, a permanent church building is unheard of. When public meetings were banned during COVID-19, I had pastors ask me to pray for them because “preaching in an empty room is hard.” That empty room, however, cost $3 million and was outfitted with expensive cameras. What I soon realized in these types of conversations was that by serving in disadvantaged inner-city contexts, I was already familiar with sharing a sermon in a context of struggle. Violence, danger, and poverty often made the simple act of meeting a challenge. 

Church planters and pastors in the inner-city are forced to go outside their four walls. The call to be on mission is daily before them. They don’t expect people to come to them but instead have learned to become “hope hustlers”—visiting every street corner and coffee shop where life is already happening. The Church is a four-wheel-drive car, going anywhere and everywhere to take the gospel to all people, in all contexts. God doesn’t take a break for a pandemic, and neither should we.  

Inner-city life and ministry force you to go where the people are, and oftentimes, what you find leads you to a deeper reliance upon God. 

Tension #2: Spirit-led vs. Human-led

Ask any inner-city church planter, and they will say that it is impossible to serve God without a deep understanding that He, and only He, is doing the work (Psalm 127:1, Titus 2:14). The tangible struggles can be so overwhelming and the emotional pain so deep that we very quickly realize that without God’s help, the future looks bleak. This is why you will find sermons that abound with Jesus and hope as the core of inner-city church planting. Without weekly offerings that make us self-sustainable and buildings that we own, we are forced to rely more heavily on God to provide for us both tangibly and spiritually. 

The Cobra Effect: How Leaders Can Avoid Unnecessary Bad Decisions

communicating with the unchurched

“The Cobra Effect” is a theory created by German economist Horst Siebert in 2001. Also known as “perverse incentives,” it was Siebert’s hypothesis that leaders can often make situations worse when their decisions cause unintended consequences.

Siebert tells the story of a cobra infestation affecting the city of Dehli, India. The British government felt the best way to solve the problem for their colony was to place a bounty on the venomous reptiles. This pay-for-dead-cobra policy worked at first but then an interesting dynamic happened.  The snake population was no longer shrinking.

You see, many people in Dehli with an entrepreneurial spirit saw a business opportunity.  They decided not to kill the cobras, but rather to breed them. Yes, they would still sacrifice a number of snakes to generate healthy cash flow. But they would keep a number of the deadly animals alive to continually produce baby cobras generating continual recurring revenue.

Ultimately, the incentive plan instituted in the British colony only made the cobra infestation worse. Thus, the Cobra Effect was invented.

Only when the British government stopped paying for dead cobras did the numbers reduce. Once people were de-incentivized, they eliminated their inventory (is that a nice way to put it.).

Overtime Pay

I once had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine who managed a Georgia food processing plant. The company’s northern corporate office instituted a generous overtime policy. If the employees needed additional time to hit their production goals, they would provide double-overtime-pay.

What then happened was the employees did the minimal amount of work possible during regular hours. They would then do the majority of their work during overtime, receiving double-pay.

The Cobra Effect was in play. Decisions made by corporate had unintended consequences – lower productivity and higher costs. The company eventually ended its overtime policy and productivity returned to sufficient levels during normal working hours.

Churches and The Cobra Effect

During the pandemic, countless church leaders told their attenders they did not need to come to church, they could experience church online from their living room or phone. These well-meaning leaders never factored in The Cobra Effect.

When these pastors told people they did not have to come to church, the unintended consequence was the people actually believed them. In many churches 60% of attenders chose to stay at home when the doors reopened. Maybe this was God pruning His church but you cannot discount the unintended consequences of many pastors’ instructions.

In addition to many people realizing they did not miss weekly church services, there has been a financial impact as well.

Last week, I had an African-American church leader tell me they were being forced to layoff their entire staff. Only 40% of their congregation returned (this is normative) but their giving is only 30% of what it previously was. You see, in this African-American church, you were expected to financially support the ministry if you were in attendance and received the benefits of the ministry. Giving was actually done publicly. People did not know how much you gave, but they knew if you gave or not. Like it or not, this was this church’s culture and expected behavior.

Why the Hardest Work Is Heart Work

heart work
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The hard work of heart work is virtuous. And when it comes to hard work, we seem to go to two extremes in our culture…

  • We look for a way out of it – Like, how do I get rich, quickly, with very little training, no learning curve, and in as few hours as possible?
  • We let it become an idol – It becomes our source if identity and significance. We get addicted. We become workaholics.

The fact is, hard work can be very rewarding, but it can also seem like it’s all for nothing. Even the wise King Solomon reflected this sentiment:

But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.

~ Ecclesiastes 2:11 NLT

Solomon later made sense of it all, at the end of his book. Many people misread him because they don’t read all the way to the end where he concludes, basically, that life makes sense when you realize it’s not all about you. It’s about your Creator and his purpose for your life.

Why the Hardest Work Is Heart Work

So you can work hard for stability, for security, for significance, for the money, for the fame, for the fortune…and you might never, ever find your pursuit truly rewarding.

But there is a kind of hard work that is always rewarding. Always.

The kind of hard work I’m talking about is the heart work of growing, developing and disciplining yourself to become all that you are supposed to be.

Heart work—the work of developing yourself—is actually the hardest work you’ll ever do. And it’s also the most rewarding.

Why is growth so hard? Because…

  • You have to face your past.
  • You have to be honest about your imperfections and inadequacies.
  • You have to understand why you do the things you do.
  • You have to change your patterns, rituals and habits.
  • You have to get over a lot of fear.
  • You have to stop making excuses and take responsibility.
  • You have to be consistent over a long period of time.
  • You have to learn to love.
  • You have to love people who are hard to love.
  • You have to learn your true value to God and others.
  • You have to become solution-focused rather than problem-focused.
  • You have to develop selflessness.

Feel overwhelmed yet?

Creation Bible Lesson for Middle School: Explore Genesis With Preteens

creation Bible lesson for middle school
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A creation Bible lesson for middle school is sure to get tweens and preteens talking. So go back to “in the beginning”! Read on to discover a variety of engaging Bible lessons about Genesis.

As younger kids in Sunday school, your students learned how God made the world and everything in it. By junior high and high school, however, those beliefs face serious challenges in science classrooms. So use a Bible study on creation to address questions while challenging and growing kids’ faith.

By taking a deep dive into the first two chapters of Genesis, you’ll explore important topics. These include how long it took God to make the earth, how old the earth is, and how people came to be. When you prepare creation Bible lesson for middle school, prepare to investigate questions about evolution, the big bang, intelligent design, young earth creationism, and even dinosaurs. Another in-the-news angle is creation care, or environmental stewardship.

During a creation Bible lesson for middle school or high school, address the role of faith. Also emphasize the importance of having respectful conversations with people of different beliefs.

Don’t be afraid to admit you’re not sure about some questions kids ask. Instead, turn to trustworthy resources to help teenagers search for answers. Encourage them to pay attention to what Christians say about these topics—and how they answer critics and skeptics.

We assembled a list of materials for you to consider. So check them out and choose one (or more) for a youth group or small-group Bible study.

Creation Bible Lesson for Middle School: 6 Resources

1. A Look at the Creator

Bible lesson on creation for youthThis free Bible study is based on Romans 1:20. It explores how God reveals himself, as our Creator, through what he made. The lesson reminds young people how they can reflect the beauty of God, as his precious creation.

2. Creation Object Lesson

Bible lesson on creation for youth

Some fun object lessons at the beginning of this Bible lesson are sure to grab attention. Then the material looks at the biblical worldview and at how foundational Christian beliefs affect our thoughts on creation. “What many people do not understand is that Christians look to the Bible first and then at science because God created science,” the lesson states. “Science does not create God.”

3. Creation & Evolution Do Not Mix

bible study on creation for youth

This “bite-size” creation Bible lesson for middle school is quite meaty. Based on Romans 5:12 and citing many other Scriptures, it explores why creation and evolution aren’t compatible.

David & Goliath Sunday School Lesson: 14 Kid-Friendly Resources

David & Goliath Sunday school lesson
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Teaching a David & Goliath Sunday school lesson is a mainstay of Christian education. Children love learning about brave young David defeating the giant with just a slingshot and five smooth stones. The biblical account, found in 1 Samuel 17, has important life lessons for kids about trusting in God and standing firm in faith.

The entire David & Goliath Sunday school lesson is quite intense. So you may need to adjust your lesson plan based on children’s ages. For example, toddlers and preschoolers might be frightened by the violence involved. And younger elementary students could be alarmed that David cuts off Goliath’s head (verse 51).

Older kids can memorize this verse from the David & Goliath Sunday school lesson. “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel” (1 Samuel 17:45). They can also explore David’s life story, from his selection as Israel’s king to his moral failings and all the Psalms he wrote.

Students of all ages will enjoy playing games and making themed crafts about David and Goliath. Check out all the ideas below. Then enjoy using them in your children’s ministry or children’s church program as you teach a David & Goliath Sunday school lesson for kids!

David & Goliath Sunday School Lesson: 14 Resources

Help children prepare for spiritual battle using the example of brave young David.

1. Facing the Giants

First, try this free Sunday school lesson from Sermons4Kids. Students will learn about courage, confidence, preparation, trust, and victory.

2. The Story of David

Next, this lengthy video from the Beginner’s Bible adds context to a David & Goliath Sunday school lesson. Choose excerpts that best fit with your lesson plan.

3. Kid-Friendly Bible Lesson

This Bible-based lesson plan presents the David & Goliath account in kid-friendly language. Plus it comes with teaching aids and a Life Response activity.

4. Brave David

Kids will love this children’s message featuring Bravery Bags. At the end of the lesson, you can use a fun activity for Bible verse memorization.

5. Free Printables

Download these lesson materials to teach kids of all ages about this Bible story.

6. David’s Pouch

Check out this neat craft for children featuring David’s pouch and five stones.

7. Slingshot Craft

Here’s a creative idea that uses wooden craft sticks, yarn, and pom-poms.

‘Jesus’ Goal Is Not To Save America,’ Says Dr. Derwin Gray, but ‘To Save People in the Country of America’

derwin gray
Screenshots from Instagram / @derwinlgray

Jesus’ goal is not to save America but to save all people, including Americans, from sin and death, Dr. Derwin Gray told his followers in a post on Saturday, July 6. Gray, who is pastor of Transformation Church in Indian Land, South Carolina, encouraged people to remember that Jesus’ kingdom transcends the nations of the world.

“I want you to marinate on this,” said Gray at the beginning of his Instagram post. “I run into a lot of Christians who say things like, ‘Y’know, it’s important that people believe in Jesus so that America can be saved because, without him, America can’t be saved.’ And so I get the sentiment of it, but I want us to go deeper.”

 

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A post shared by Dr. Derwin L. Gray (@derwinlgray)

Derwin Gray: The Church Is a ‘Holy Nation’

Derwin Gray is a former NFL player who is an author and speaker in addition to being the pastor of Transformation Church. He hosts “The Transforming the Church Podcast,” which is part of the ChurchLeaders Podcast Network.

His books include “God, Do You Hear Me?: Discover the Prayer God Always Answersand “How to Heal Our Racial Divide: What the Bible Says, and the First Christians Knew, About Racial Reconciliation.”

In a 2021 interview with Dr. Ed Stetzer, Gray described what it was like to lead an ethnically and politically diverse congregation. “One church service,” he said, “we had an older white guy with a MAGA hat and MAGA shirt literally right next to a Black girl with a Black Lives Matter shirt on with an Afro, both hands raised worshiping the Lord.”

God’s invitation to follow him “transcends pandemics…transcends political division,” Gray said.

In his comments on Saturday, which came two days after the Fourth of July and over a week after the first debate of a contentious presidential race, Gray reminded people that Jesus’ followers are called to show his love to everyone in the world—including Americans—but that our savior did not come to redeem one particular country.

“Jesus’ goal is not to save America,” the pastor said. “Jesus’ goal is to save people in the country of America, and he’s saving them from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, the presence of sin.” 

“He is saving us from the great enemy, death—for what?” Gray continued. “By grace, we’re brought into his kingdom so that we can be his hands and his feet on planet earth, and this is independent of a nation. Matter of fact, the church is called a ‘holy nation’ who exists to bring people out of darkness into light. Love you guys.”

‘We Mourn…But We Do It Together,’ Says Gateway Church Pastor Following Standing Ovation for Robert Morris’ Son

James Morris Bridgette Morris
Screengrab via YouTube @Gateway Church

Pastor James Morris and his wife Bridgette received a standing ovation during Gateway Church’s worship service over the weekend after North Fort Worth and Online Campus Pastor Ben Pirtle voiced his appreciation for them during his sermon.

Both Morris and his wife serve as pastors at Gateway Church. Morris serves as the associate senior pastor and Bridgette serves as the executive pastor. James is the son of Gateway Church founder Robert Morris.

As Pirtle greeted the congregation, he said that he considers Gateway Church to be “the greatest church in the world,” adding, “Not that it’s a competition, but we’re winning.”

RELATED: Robert Morris’ Son, 3 Others Taking Temporary Leave From Gateway Church’s Elder Board

“I love you. This is my home. And it’s such an honor to be here,” said Pirtle, who has served at Gateway Church for almost 19 years. He continued by thanking James and Bridgette, who were sitting in the congregation, resulting in a standing ovation from the crowd.

“I want to thank Pastor James and Pastor Bridgette, who I also love,” Pirtle said. “I could cry, so I’m just gonna say, I love you guys. I’m very thankful for you guys. It’s an honor to be here with you guys and we love you.”

He asked the congregation, “Don’t you love Pastor James and Pastor Bridgette?”

“We love you guys,” Pirtle added once more.

RELATED: Pastor Robert Morris Ministries Cancels ‘All Future Radio and Television Broadcast Ministry’; Morris Receives No Severance From Gateway

Pirtle then got emotional, saying that he asked the Holy Spirit what he should say because he had so many things he wanted to share.

“But based off of your response right there, what I want to say is,” he said, “that we may be going through a difficult season as a church and you may have all sorts of feelings, and those feelings are all fine—you can have whatever feelings you need to have.”

“And you know when a family goes through a season of loss, we mourn, right? That’s what we do, but we do it together,” Pirtle added.

Kat Von D Blacks Out Most of Her Tattoos—The Look ‘No Longer Aligns With Who I Am Today’

Kat Von D
Left: Mariano Vivanco, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Right: screengrab via Instagram / @thekatvond

Katherine von Drachenberg, known as Kat Von D, just celebrated 17 years of sobriety. And following a dramatic conversion to Christianity, the iconic tattoo artist has spent months permanently covering up what she called “garbage, drunken tattoos.”

“I just couldn’t explain how satisfying it was to see all the messes he would clean up with his blackout tattoo work,” she told Inked Magazine, speaking of tattoo artist Hoode Philly.

Kat Von D Is Experiencing a Transformation in Her Heart, Body and Career

Kat Von D was born in Mexico to missionaries and moved to Southern California at the age of four. She rebelled against her family’s upbringing and Christian beliefs, adopting practices from witchcraft, occult and the macabre.

One of the first transformations Von D endured was the decision to give up alcohol nearly 20 years ago. The successful and creative former tattoo artist shared on Instagram Sunday, “Today, I celebrate 17 years of sobriety.”

More than 75,000 followers liked her post, and some offered encouragement for the star—reminding her that she’s inspiring others.

“You make all who are sober, Christian and part of the Goth/ALT/Metal Community proud,” one person commented. “Thank you for representing us and congratulations on your Sobriety anniversary. May our Lord continue to bless you and your family. You mean so much to us.”

In 2019, Kat Von D became further dissatisfied with her life and choices. “I was just searching for answers and meaning in so many of the wrong places like most people do,” she said in a podcast interview with Allie Beth Stuckey.

“I wish I could put into words how amazing those changes are that I’ve been able to experience through all this,” she said to Stuckey. Von D also mentioned that she’s the “best wife and the best mother” because of her newfound faith.

Von D admitted that most of her iconic tattoos no longer represent “who she is today.” So she began the process of permanently blacking out the tattoos. In an interview with Inked Magazine, Von D opened up about her life’s changes and how they prompted blacking out most of her tattoos.

“I think I had been fed up with a lot of the tattoos I got over the years for a long time,” she said.

Von D explained that she started with one forearm. “I think at that time I thought I would just black out an arm, but shortly after, I knew I would end up tattooing my whole body.” Her blackout process has created quite a stir in the Christian world and the tattoo industry—which doesn’t bother the artist.

Von D has been the focus of much criticism throughout her life. She’s even received negative comments and judgments from Christians unable to embrace her recent conversion. Von D said that Christians “were the worst” out of everyone who criticized her about her baptism.

 

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Logan Paul Hears the Gospel on His Podcast Thanks to Connecticut Pastors

logan paul pastors Cliffe Knechtle Stuart Knechtle
L: Pastor Cliffe Knechtle. R: Logan Paul. Screengrab from YouTube / @Impaulsive

On a recent episode of his “Impaulsive” podcast, pro wrestler, actor, and YouTube personality Logan Paul spoke to a father-son pastor team about sin, the existence of God, doubt, hell, and more. Paul, 29, said he was raised as a Christian but then “grew out of it and just became a little bit more curious about the world.”

His guests for Episode 417 were Cliffe Knechtle, senior pastor of Grace Community Church in New Canaan, Connecticut, and his son, assistant pastor Stuart Knechtle. Describing their nondenominational background, Cliffe said, “We’re more concerned about how have you responded to Jesus Christ, not how have you responded to organized religion.”

For more than two-and-a-half hours, the faith leaders fielded questions from Paul and his co-host about Christianity, salvation, and modern-day social issues. Paul’s podcast has more than 4.6 million subscribers.

Cliffe Knechtle and Stuart Knechtle Talk to Logan Paul About Sin and Salvation

The wide-ranging conversation touched on the problems of evil and sin, the Fall of mankind, the meaning of a soul, and what happens to people when they die. Paul’s co-host asked the pastors if gaining access to heaven is simply a matter of accepting Christ and following him—or if there are “some ways to get your ticket canceled.”

Cliffe Knechtle responded by talking about Jesus’ Good Friday conversation with the thief on the cross. “Jesus’ value system is on the line,” he said. “He could’ve looked the guy in the face and said, ‘Get down off of here to say 12 Hail Marys, work in a soup kitchen, and if you do a good enough job, maybe you’ll make it.”

RELATED: Kat Von D Blacks Out Most of Her Tattoos—The Look ‘No Longer Aligns With Who I Am Today’

“He didn’t say that,” said Knechtle. “Instead, he said, ‘I tell you the truth. Today you’ll be with me in paradise.’ And that’s grace. That’s amazing grace, God’s undeserved offer of forgiveness, his generosity.”

He continued, “Jesus points out that I’m not going to heaven because I live a good life. I’m going to heaven because of his grace, his offer of forgiveness. But if my faith in him is genuine, it will be shown in the way I love him, honor him, and obey him.”

Podcast Episode Addresses Evidence for Christianity

Logan Paul admitted he has always struggled with the “proof” for Christianity, saying he hasn’t really had a “come-to-Jesus” moment. He asked the pastors why he should choose Christianity when so many faith options are available.

Cliffe Knechtle then emphasized all the historical evidence for Jesus and his sinless life. He mentioned Jesus’ “amazing ethical teachings” as well as his willingness to die for and forgive his enemies. “Most importantly,” said Knechtle, “three days after he dies, he physically, bodily rises from the dead, and over a period of 40 days, he appears to over 500 people who see him different times, different places, risen from the dead.”

The pastor recommended reading the gospels because they’re the “eyewitness testimonies” about Jesus.

Pastor Revealed as Registered Sex Offender After Arrest for Possessing Firearm as a Convicted Felon

Peter Ventura
Screengrab via Facebook / @Marilyn Maxwell

A Connecticut pastor has been arrested and charged with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Peter Ventura of First Baptist Church of Woodbury is a registered sex offender. 

Editor’s note: This article contains information about sexual assault that some readers might find disturbing and/or triggering.

Ventura, 67, was arrested on June 25 after Plymouth police received a tip that a convicted felon in the area might be in possession of a firearm. Police took him into custody after they discovered he had a Byrna pistol, a non-lethal weapon that fires plastic pellets and balls of pepper spray.

First Baptist Church describes itself as “an Independent, Fundamental, Bible Believing Church” and says that it is “on the move where the Word of God is our Final Authority, without compromise, or apology!”

RELATED: South Carolina Pastor Revealed To Be Registered Sex Offender; Elders Say They Knew

The church believes that the King James Version of the Bible, as translated in 1611, alone “is the inerrant, infallible verbally, plenarily inspired, preserved Word of God.”

Ventura is still listed as the church’s pastor. ChurchLeaders has reached out to First Baptist Church of Woodbury and will update this article in the event of a reply. 

While First Baptist Church had been meeting at the facility of The First Congregational Church of Woodbury, First Congregational released a statement on Wednesday, July 3, saying that it had not been made aware of Ventura’s status as a sex offender. 

“The First Congregational Church of Woodbury had allowed the First Baptist Church of Woodbury, led by Peter Ventura, to meet at First Congregational Church without knowledge of his previous criminal convictions,” the church said. “First Congregational Church has since disassociated themselves from Mr. Ventura and his parish and First Baptist Church [will] no longer worship at or have access to First Congregational Church.”

According to the sex offender registry in Connecticut, Ventura was convicted in 1983 of two counts of aggravated sexual assault in the first degree. He was later convicted of another count of aggravated sexual assault in the first degree in 1993. 

RELATED: Prosecutors Characterize SBC Youth Pastor as Serial Sexual Abuser Who Moved From Church to Church

According to appellate court documents, Ventura was originally charged with 21 counts of first degree sexual assault in 1983. Six of the counts related to allegations that he “threatened his child’s sixteen-year-old babysitter with a razor, punched her in the jaw and sexually assaulted her.” 

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