4 Signs Your Church Is Not Healthy

April 18, 2023

As has often been said, “the local church is the hope of the world.” I believe that. Local churches not only preach the soul-saving message of Jesus, but they also provide tangible proof that the gospel can completely transform the daily lives of individuals and entire communities.

Wherever the Spirit of God is present among the people of God, miraculous things happen. That’s our mission: to advance the heavenly kingdom, to see lost and broken people find eternal hope and healing.

However, we can’t offer a healing that we have not experienced ourselves. While God is powerful to do his supernatural work in even the most adverse situations, we hamper our effectiveness when we fail to pursue both holiness and wholeness.

When churches are unhealthy, far from being a transformative presence in their communities, they can wreak havoc in the lives of the people who interact with them or who languish in their midst.

But what are the warning signs that a church is cultivating an environment that is unhealthy or even toxic? Here are four signs that your church is not healthy.

1. Church Bullies Are Given Free Rein.

When unruly individuals grow in influence within a church, they can quickly create a hostile environment. While they may be small in number, they can create serious and unnecessary distractions from the mission of the church.

For most church bullies, their time to shine is at congregational business meetings. They know exactly how to navigate Robert’s Rules of Order with nitpicky precision, say something inflammatory enough to rile up their support base yet vague enough to maintain plausible deniability of fault, and generally just aggravate the church’s leadership.

In between those meetings, they do a fair bit of politicking, creating strategic alliances with other influential members of the church to advance their agenda, which usually stands in opposition to whatever vision has been cast by the pastor or elders.

Church bullies are the kind of people who offer to buy the pastor coffee or lunch and then spend the whole time “sharing concerns” and talking about “what people are saying.” And when the pastor doesn’t move in the direction they desire, they apply pressure, often in the form of spreading gossip.

Sometimes, the rumors they spread are half true. Other times they aren’t even remotely true. In every case, they cause division and distrust, quenching the work of the Holy Spirit.

Too often, church bullies are given free rein, because they are usually longtime members who are well respected and know a lot about the Bible. Further, they can lay on the charm and feign selfless concern when they need to.

Confronting them requires coolheaded wisdom. Even still, the situation is often fraught. However, if church bullies are allowed to run the show, they will create an unhealthy environment that will cause harm to others.

Continuance in Ministry: How to Remain for the Long Haul

Nicholas Batzig

April 18, 2023

thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

I had a mentor who once told me, “It’s easy to start something in ministry, but it is very difficult to follow it through to the end.” This is so very true. Many enter ministry service or projects without considering what it will cost to see it through to completion. This challenge was not something foreign to the apostle Paul. As he pressed on toward the end of his ministry, Paul told the elders that he had trained in Ephesus, “My purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24). Paul knew that it took resolve to finish the course and ministry he had received from the Lord.

Paul had spent three years in Ephesus. He had set up a theological training institute there. He had planted the church and he had put leaders in place to care for the people. As he readied himself to depart from there and to head to Jerusalem, in order to preach the gospel, Paul called the elders together and gave a farewell speech.

As we look at his final discourse with the Ephesian elders, we learn several important keys to keeping that resolve. Paul explained the nature of his ministry. First, he reminded them that he had served with transparency (vv. 18–21). Then he explained how he had served with diligence (vv. 20–21, 24, 26–27). Finally, he reveals that he had served with tears (vv. 19, 31). Paul was no hard-hearted leader who ran people over to get things done or to make it to the top. He was a servant leader, who sacrificially poured himself out for the well-being of the people of God. It is essential for us to embrace this same mindset if we are going to finish our course and the ministry that the Lord gives us.

Paul also knew something about the nature of other leaders in the church. He knew that people often grow tired and complacent. He charged the elders to care deeply for the church—since God had purchased the church “with His own blood” (v. 28). Remembering the cost of the redemption of believers is one of the greatest motivating factors to continue in faithful Christian service. This is God’s church, and these are God’s blood-bought people. The apostle also knew how easily false teachers and ravenous wolves crept into the church. He warned the elders to “be on guard” and to “be on the alert” (vv. 28, 31).

The secret to continuance in Christian service is found in serving others with transparency, diligence, and tears. It is also in recognizing the dangers that face us when we fill roles of leadership in the church. Most significantly, it is based on remembering that God has called us to serve those Jesus purchased with His own blood on the cross.

This article originally appeared here, and is used by permission.

How to Avoid Church Tech Arts Burnout

Anthony Coppedge

April 18, 2023

More services. More venues. More campuses. It all leads to an obvious conclusion: more volunteers. What may not be as obvious is the increased importance of creating scalable systems with a focus on the people and not the technology. When church tech arts supersedes people, burn out happens.

Let me start with a disclaimer: “Hi, I’m Anthony Coppedge, and I’m a recovering church tech arts burnout person. Not only have I personally experienced burn out, but I have been a leading contributor of burn out to church tech arts volunteers while I served at one of the three churches where I was on staff.”

Causes of Church Tech Arts Burnout

Dictionary.com defines burn out like this: “Physical or emotional exhaustion, especially as a result of long-term stress or dissipation.”

I’d add to that spiritual exhaustion, because I think that it’s the main reason that media personnel experience burn out. We expect a lot out of volunteers, but we in tech arts often fail to spend time pouring time and spiritual life into them outside of services.

Spiritual Exhaustion

Church tech arts are often a behind-the-scenes place with people who don’t want to attend a small group or Bible study. Many of these folks would rather click a mouse, spin a knob, or push a button than talk with people about personal and spiritual matters. “Hey, no one asks me to quote Bible verses when I’m mixing sound,” say people I’ve talked to before.

The technical ministry is perhaps the one ministry area where it’s easy to hide from spiritual discussions. Yet this is robbing them of personal growth, a closer relationship with the God who loves them, and a stronger sense of mission and purpose for the tech team. We can no longer afford to ask our volunteers to serve unless we serve them with spiritual food, too! Any tech leader reading this should memorize it, print it out, and post it:

The technical ministry is not about the tech. It’s about the people behind the tech.

Emotional Exhaustion

Volunteers are unwittingly set up to burn out when we don’t provide adequate and consistent training. This puts a real toll on tech arts staff and volunteers who feel the pressure to make everything work flawlessly week in and week out but who do not have the proper training, planning, or practice to produce effective results.

The stress of having to perform without the right training and the right amount of preparation wipes out volunteers who are often under-appreciated and not shown the love they need.

Physical Exhaustion

If you’re serving more than twice a month in a volunteer capacity, I think you’re probably serving too often. We need a break. We need to experience corporate worship. We need to unplug from the matrix of tech volunteering and focus on the message, not the medium.

“But we don’t have enough technical volunteers, so I have to be here,” some try to explain. I say this in love: You have not because you ask not. Every person in your church has a sphere of influence. That is your starting point: asking those who you know are not serving regularly (or at all). And I’m not just talking about pew-sitters, either. We all have unchurched friends who share some of our same interests. We can invite them to come and observe the tech operations and see if it piques their interest. In addition to growing your ranks, you also get people involved in church, as attendance outside of volunteering should be required for every member of the tech team.

“I can worship while I’m serving in tech.” I’m sure you can, to some extent. But that worship isn’t the same as being out of the sight line of the tech gear! When you can totally focus on worshiping God, then – and only then – will you be able to recharge, refresh and – here’s the bonus – force the church leadership to replicate you!

“But I’m paid to be there! It’s my job to run (insert job here)!” Having been on staff at three mega churches, I know all about this one. It is possible that one of your roles is to ensure a job is done well every weekend. We simply translate that to mean, “I have to mix/direct/lead.” What would happen if you looked at your job as being one of finding the diamonds-in-the-rough that have an ear for mixing or an eye for directing? Sure, you’ll do the job of mixing or directing many times, but if you’re not actively training and looking for these unique individuals, how will the next “you” come along? At some point, your job is to prepare for the weekend services.

Summer Fellowship Is Strengthened in Small Groups

Jackie Van Hook

April 18, 2023

Many small groups tend to “take a break” for the summer, meeting for times of summer fellowship and fun. Why not encourage your small group members to make it a “Summer of Purpose?” The most common question that everyone asks is, “What Am I Here For?” This summer, you and your group members could purposefully use a book centered around the topic of purpose, as “tools” to have spiritual conversations with others, helping them discover the answers to their questions. Prayerfully, in the process, they will be drawn to Christ, strengthened, and eager to learn more. As His disciples, we’ll also re-discover the joy of our own purpose in sharing Jesus with others!

Summer Fellowship Is Strengthened in Small Groups

First, you’ll choose a book that is centered around the topic of purpose. You’ll want to find a book that is relatable to your “partner’s” stage of life and circumstances, and also consider if they are a believer or not. Here are some examples: The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren (great for anyone), Made for This by Jennie Allen (ideal for believers who already have the spiritual discipline of prayer in place), Halftime by Bob Buford (perfect for those in the “second-half” of life), and Identity by TD Jakes (good for anyone).

Then, think of someone in your life (outside church) that you could “partner” with – someone who is willing to read this along with you, and discuss it throughout the summer. Maybe it’s a family member, a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or even someone you know from the gym or your children’s school. This can be done individually, or couples could “partner” with other couples. I think we all know someone who could use a little extra hope, joy, and Jesus in their life! Pray for an open door to invite them, and for hearts that would be willing to participate.

This is something that is highly relational and flexible — simply find what works best for you and your “partner” and then begin! This will look different for everyone. Maybe you decide to text each other daily what you read and liked, a Scripture verse that spoke to you, or a question that challenged you. Maybe you’ll plan to meet weekly for a walk and talk about what you’ve been learning. Whatever you decide, the important thing is read and discuss, and encourage one another along in the journey of discovering God’s purpose for your life.

The Next Great Awakening: 3 Signs That Revival Has (Already) Begun

Greg Stier

April 17, 2023

Wondering about the next Great Awakening and when it will occur? Read on for insights about renewal and signs of revival. Hint: It’s already underway!

I’ve always been a student of revival. Since I was a teenager, I have studied revivals and spiritual awakenings with a voracious appetite. I’ve scoured books and listened to sermons, looking for keys to revival. And I long to be part of God’s next great move on earth.

Books like George Whitfield…Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the 18th Century Revival (Volumes 1 & 2), Lectures to my Students by Charles Spurgeon, Movements that Change the World by Steve Addison, Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by J. Hudson Taylor, The Life of Dwight L. Moody by William R. Moody and so many more… Those have been on my reading and re-reading list for decades.

But as much as I love these, I’m tired of just reading. I want to be part of the next Great Awakening.

An Important Realization

When I spoke at Go2020 USA, I gave the closing challenge to ministry leaders. Go2020 is a global Gospel-advancing movement. That’s something everyone at Dare 2 Share, the ministry I lead, is excited about. Our vision is “every teen everywhere hearing the Gospel from a friend!”

Speaking was a great privilege. By the time I boarded the plane, my sermon was complete. I was going to preach on the five characteristics of a movement, based on Steve Addison’s book.

But on the plane, God’s Spirit convicted me that this wasn’t the sermon I should preach. After praying, He guided me to a new sermon: “3 Ways to Kickstart a Movement” (based on Acts 4:31-33).

I was ready to preach…or so I thought. After a day full of meetings and just moments before walking onstage, I realized something. My three points are already in full play, not just nationally but globally. The next Great Awakening is already here!

There was no kickstarting a movement; it had already begun. So I changed my sermon to “3 Signs a Spiritual Awakening Has Begun.” Acts is a great example of spiritual awakening. This passage contains all the elements that reflect a true, sweeping spiritual move of God.

Benefits of Journaling: Teach This Spiritual Discipline to Children

Tina Houser

April 17, 2023

The benefits of journaling — especially Bible journaling — are profound. Even children can benefit from this practice. Read on to discover how!

Bible journaling, which has become more popular in the faith community, is actually a spiritual discipline. And the practice nurtures other spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, meditation and Bible study. Bible journaling for kids is a fun, meaningful way to help them grow closer to Jesus and establish lifelong faith habits.

Journaling, quite simply, involves making a record of something. That’s where the similarities end, though. Because from there, what’s recorded, how it’s recorded, and how much is recorded reflects someone’s personality, spiritual maturity and processing pathway. The actual form of journaling is specific to the person doing it.

In a way, the Bible is a collection of journaling. Paul’s letters describe events, struggles and how he thinks certain issues should be resolved. David provides insight into his personal spiritual journal through the Psalms—a poetic and musical journal. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John journal about events they all witness, but each gives us a different view because they journal from a personal perspective. Much of the Bible is God’s inspired Word essentially being passed through the journals of faithful followers.

Although this article is about intentionally equipping children, the benefits of journaling the Bible also apply to teenagers and adults. So if you’re not journaling yet, try some of the ideas and approaches. The benefits of journaling are great. Not only for today but for tomorrow and for years down the road!

7 Benefits of Journaling the Bible

1. It helps give clarity.

When you’re having a difficult time understanding a concept or a Scripture, writing down your random thoughts and then reviewing what you’ve written can be very insightful. It’s like rotating a piece of a puzzle and when you hold it a certain way, you see where it fits all of a sudden.

In times of confusion, journaling can be the instrument that helps kids sort out what questions they have and need to ask. What’s not making sense? Where do I get lost?

2. It provides a safe place.

Second, there’s no ridicule or wrong in journaling. The words penned come from the heart. They may be very raw feelings, but they represent personal truth. Remind children and adults that journaling is private and warrants respect. Unless a child offers to share what’s written, guard the privacy of their journaling. When I used Bible journaling for kids, our group regularly held one another accountable. Plus, I gave them a chance to share something they had journaled.

At first, very few read excerpts. But after awhile, they really enjoyed sharing entries. This was especially true of those that were evidence of how they had worked through an issue. Because kids recognized how God was working in their lives, they were very comfortable sharing those journal entries.

3. Journaling is a storehouse for years to come.

One of the most valuable aspects of journaling is being able to look back. A journal is a record of spiritual growth. Through the comments and perspectives shared there, years later a child will be able to celebrate and embrace the journey that God has taken him on.

It’s so rewarding to read about a spiritual struggle and then read months later how God has taken that incident and catapulted your spiritual understanding. That’s why it’s really important to date each entry in your journal. Without the words penned in the journal, it’s easy to miss out on recognizing where the spiritual journey has actually taken you.

4. It helps you meditate on God’s Word.

Psalm 1:2 reminds us, “…his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he mediates day and night.” It’s good for kids to stop, get quiet, and ponder God’s Word. But these days, it’s not so easy. Bible journaling can especially help kids who have a difficult time quieting their spirits. As they contemplate what to write, their minds are stretching and reaching for thoughts that are deeper than surface, off-the-cuff, “church-y” answers.

Theologian Albert Mohler Hospitalized After Blood Clots Form in Both Lungs

Jesse T. Jackson

April 17, 2023

On Saturday (April 15), The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary revealed in a statement that seminary president Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. had been hospitalized due to blood clots in both of his lungs.

“Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, is currently hospitalized with a diagnosis of bilateral pulmonary emboli (blood clots in both lungs),” the statement read. “He is receiving excellent care and is responding well to treatment. He looks forward to returning to a full schedule including The Briefing in coming days. He and Mrs. Mohler appreciate your prayers.”

Mohler, who has been the seminary’s president since 1993, had a similar experience in January 2007 after undergoing surgery to remove scar tissue, which had developed from a previous operation that took place in the 1980s.

A number of notable Christian leaders, including Daniel Darling, Paul Akin, and Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) president Bart Barber, expressed on social media that they were praying for Mohler’s recovery.

Along with his presidential duties at one of the largest seminaries in the world, Mohler is the editor of WORLD Opinions, the host of two podcasts, and author of several books. According his his website, Mohler has contributed to over 100 other published works.

On his last episode of “The Briefing,” a podcast where Mohler gives a “worldview analysis about the leading news headlines and cultural conversations,” the theologian tackled questions about why the LGBTQ agenda appears to be “so strong in the U.K.,” whether Christians will have their memories or know their friends and families in heaven, whether driving above the speed limit is sinful, and whether Christians who were baptized as infants should be re-baptized as adults.

Youth Pastor Charged With Child Porn Allegedly Used Church Wi-Fi To Access Images

Stephanie Martin

April 17, 2023

Following an 11-month investigation, Florida youth pastor and middle-school teacher Edward Wilds III was arrested April 14 and charged with possessing child pornography. The 45-year-old, who bonded out of jail, served at Palatka Baptist Temple Church, where his father, Edward Wilds II, is lead pastor.

Authorities say they found 54,000 images—most of which were pornographic—on accounts and devices linked to the younger Wilds. They also said he allegedly stayed late after a Wednesday evening service to download child porn via the church’s Wi-Fi.

Online Tip Led to Child Porn Investigation

Putnam County Sheriff H.D. “Gator” DeLoach said his office received a tip last May about Wilds’ use of social media, including allegations he was sending nude photos of himself to kids.

“Detectives discovered messaging conversations where Wilds was asked by another user for images of children between the ages of 14 to 16 years old,” the sheriff’s office said. “He sent 42 images.”

In addition to the charge of possessing child porn, Wilds is charged with “using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.” The investigation is ongoing, and DeLoach said he expects more charges to be filed. As part of Wilds’ release on $20,000 bond, he is not to have contact with children or access the internet.

Last month, authorities conducted a “forensic download” of the youth pastor’s electronic devices. When Wilds was arrested, detectives said, he revealed that one social media site had banned him several times.

Sheriff DeLoach called this “a clear-cut case of child sexual exploitation,” adding that “Wilds’ behavior is disgusting, vile, and repugnant.” He urged citizens to “be vigilant in protecting our children from all forms of abuse.” The sheriff also had harsh words for “all the sick, perverted scum who commit these crimes and whose moral compass is nonexistent,” warning, “I’m personally coming for you.”

School District Places Teacher on Leave

Since 2011, Wilds has taught at several Putnam County schools. His most recent job was at Middleton-Burney Elementary School in Crescent City, Florida, where he taught sixth grade.

At the sheriff’s news conference, superintendent Rick Surrency said that no evidence points to students in the district being victimized by Wilds. However, he said, it’s “alarming and disappointing” that the longtime teacher “is alleged to have engaged in acts that exploited children.”

According to the superintendent, the school district suspended Wilds in March, when it first learned about the investigation. He is on administrative leave “pending a recommendation to the school board for his termination,” said Surrency.

People who say they were victimized by Wilds—or who know one of his victims—are speaking out on Facebook. One described making reports to police for years but not being taken seriously.

‘Lies From the Pit of Hell’ — Franklin Graham Supports Elon Musk’s Take on Medical Treatment for Transgender Minors

Janna Firestone

April 17, 2023

Franklin Graham Elon Musk — Left: Council.gov.ru, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Right: Steve Jurvetson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Business tycoon Elon Musk is not afraid to speak his mind, with his opinions spanning worldwide politics, racial issues, artificial intelligence, and labor unions. He has now joined in the conversation of transgender minors and the controversy surrounding medical gender transitions.

Following a tweet from Musk last week, evangelist Franklin Graham praised Musk for his outspoken opinion.

In the tweet, Musk said, “Any parent or doctor who sterilizes a child before they are a consenting adult should go to prison for life.”

Franklin Graham Agrees With Musk — ‘This Madness Needs to Stop’

On Monday, Graham shared a news report of Musk’s tweet on his own Facebook page, supporting Musk’s opinion.

“Elon Musk spoke out to make a point about the bizarre and dangerous transgender medical treatments being performed on minors, and I appreciate that he isn’t afraid to call it like it is,” Graham wrote.

Graham continued, “It’s shameful that any adult would be part of feeding this confusion and pushing children over a cliff that is built on lies from the pit of hell. Some parents, politicians, and so-called professionals are guilty of a masquerade of evil they are falsely calling healthcare.”

“Children and young people are suffering the lifelong consequences of drugs and surgeries that maim body, mind, and spirit,” Graham said. “God will judge our nation. This madness needs to stop.”

With more than 10 million followers, Graham’s endorsement received quite a bit of interest, support, and criticism.

One commenter wrote, “Thank you Elon Musk for speaking the truth. Unbelievable evil at work!!”

Another called for prayer, specifically for Musk, saying, “If I’m not mistaken, he is an atheist. If so, then this speaks volumes and we need to pray for Mr. Musk as well.”

Others commented on suspected agendas behind such comments.

Transgender Medical Procedures for Minors

According to FOX Business, “There is a national movement led by conservatives that argues hormone replacement therapy, puberty blockers and sex-reassignment surgeries to be unproven and potentially dangerous to children.”

4 Churchgoers Die After Starving Themselves To ‘Meet Jesus’; Pastor Arrested

Dale Chamberlain

April 17, 2023

Kenyan police are investigating the death of four churchgoers who starved after being instructed by their pastor to stop eating in order to “meet Jesus.” In addition to the four deaths, police discovered 11 other victims who were alive but emaciated.

Police raided the Good News International Church in the Kilifi County of Kenya after receiving a local tip that pastor Paul Makenzie Nthenge was engaging in cult-like practices and encouraging his followers to fast to the point of starvation and death.

Nthenge reportedly told the 15 victims that starving themselves would enable them to get to heaven faster.

The concerned community members who alerted the police reportedly characterized the victims as “brainwashed.” Police said the victims had been “radicalized.”

Six from among the group of 11 survivors, which includes seven men and four women between the ages of 17 and 49, are reportedly in critical condition after being transported to the hospital. Most of the victims could not walk or talk when police found them.

Nthenge was arrested and charged on Friday, after initially having gone into hiding.

Last month, he was charged in connection with the deaths of two toddlers who had starved. The children’s parents were attenders of Good News International Church. Nthenge had been released on bond after being charged with those two deaths.

Police are also investigating reports that Nthenge has a mass grave somewhere on his property in a large forested area. Police suspect that more victims may exist but said in a statement that their searches have proven unfruitful “by virtue of [the] vast land (area) and hostile residents in the forest.”

Unfortunately, Christian-adjacent cults are not entirely uncommon in Kenya, which is a deeply religious culture.

The police investigation is ongoing.

Mindy Caliguire: Growing Through Disappointments in Life and Ministry

Jason Daye

April 17, 2023

How can we address the inevitable disappointments and discouragements in both life and ministry in a way that is healthy for our souls? In this week’s conversation on FrontStage BackStage, host Jason Daye is joined by Mindy Caliguire. Mindy is the co-founder, along with her husband Jeff, of Soul Care, a spiritual formation ministry that exists to increase soul health in the body of Christ. Mindy has also served in a variety of senior leadership positions in various ministry organizations, and she and her husband Jeff were church planters in Boston. Together, Mindy and Jason look at some of the unhealthy tendencies we have as ministry leaders when it comes to dealing with disappointments and discouragement. Mindy then shares from her own experiences ways to process disappointment that honor God and help us grow in our own spiritual journeys.

FrontStage BackStage Podcast Guest Mindy Caliguire

View the entire podcast here.

Keep Learning

Looking to dig more deeply into this topic and conversation? Every week we go the extra mile and create a free toolkit so you and your ministry team can dive deeper into the topic that is discussed. Find your Weekly Toolkit here… Love well, Live well, Lead well!

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Strategies To Launch a Healthy Church

Gavin Adams

April 17, 2023

This conversation focuses on how strategy plays a crucial role in each phase of the Church Life Cycle.

First Things First: Stop Calling the Church an ‘Organization!’

I constantly hear church leaders say, “Our church is an organism, not an organization!” I love that sentiment, but few things can or will stagnate your growth more than this sentiment.

I caught plenty of flack when I led a church for some 13+ years. A pastor’s job comes with more expectations than any other role I’ve seen. My critiquers most frequently suggested, among other things, that I was too strategic and business-like. Perhaps they were expecting a “shepherd” — not the kind that fights against wolves or uses a staff, but one who sits calmly by picking flowers and petting them?

All my congregants were right to a point, though. I came from the marketplace, and while I understood our church was a beautiful organism, I also believed the organism demanded organization.

The Bodily Organism of Christ

The Body of Christ is an organism for sure. But the functions of any organism must be organized to grow and work well.

I love how Paul described the Body of Christ in his first letter to the Corinthian Christians and churches:

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)

The Body of Christ is like any body, composed of pieces that come together, forming something greater than their individual parts. But here’s the catch, while each believer plays a unique part in the body, the body works best when it functions most effectively.

In Paul’s letter, he talks about specific body parts, what they do, and why they are all integral to the body’s health. In a way, Paul is amplifying the organization of the body. The body, as a metaphor, gives us the necessary implications.

Imagine your body as the Body of Christ, composed of multiple parts. Healthy people have healthy digestive, neurological, cardiovascular, and nervous systems (to name a few) working together in systematic harmony. Introduce a toxin or a virus, and the system enters some chaos.

Healthy church bodies are much the same. They are collections of unique parts that make up a body. Much like a person’s body, the better organized the church, the better the body functions.

If you see the church as an organism, I applaud you. If you refuse to embrace that all organisms require organization to remain healthy and grow, I would respectfully tell you that your perspective is the lid capping your church’s mission.

NOTE: I wrote a lot more about this here: 6 Organizational Requirements Growing Churches Embrace

Incorporating Strategy Along the Church Life Cycle

Strategy is just plans and systems with an end in mind. In the case of a church, strategy is how we plan to accomplish our mission.

Church models are strategies. Every church has one, whether it’s documented or not.

As we traverse the life cycle journey, it’s evident that strategy plays an essential role in each phase. Equally, a lack of strategy and intentionality will create havoc in the cycle. The positive effects of great strategic planning affect the church uniquely in each phase. I think it best that we evaluate each stage individually and thoroughly.

Do Dogs Go to Heaven: How to Answer Kids’ Tough Questions

Andrew Linder

April 17, 2023

Our family recently watched The Stray, and the movie is quite a tear-jerker (spoiler alert). Although it’s very clean and enjoyable, it will likely raise serious questions from kids about what happens when a family pet dies. Do dogs go to heaven? Do cats? What about goldfish? What will you tell children when they inquire about their beloved departed animals?

Because let’s be honest, for most families, it’s bound to happen sooner or later. For one reason or another, a family pet will die. And when it does, what are parents supposed to say? How do you answer all your kids’ questions about death, eternity, and if they’ll ever get to see their pet again? How can you comfort children who ask do dogs go to heaven?

Losing a family pet can be difficult, especially for a child. But it can also prepare a child to cope with the struggles of life and the realities of death that they’re certain to face as they age.

Whether your family has experienced this or have yet to, here are a few thoughts to help you discuss this sensitive subject with kids (or to file away for future use).

Do Dogs Go to Heaven? 4 Points to Consider

1. God created pets for our enjoyment because He loves us.

A family pet has the potential to be so enjoyed that they often become “one of the family.” We connect with them emotionally, and they bring us great joy. This is a beautiful reminder of the good gifts God has given us to enjoy in His creation.

In Genesis 1:24-25, after God created the “living creatures,” He saw that they were good. And in the next verse, 26, he tells us God made them for man. But not only did God give animals to us to enjoy. He gave us dominion over them as well—Genesis 1:28. As humans, we are overseers of not only our beloved pets but over all of God’s creation.

2. God created animals differently from humans.

Genesis 1:7 God breathed into man the breath of life, and man became a living soul.

God has placed eternity in the hearts of human beings. He has not done so with animals. Animals are unlike humans in that God created us with a soul, an understanding of right and wrong, and an ability to connect personally with our Creator. In addition:

People are conscious of the future. Animals live only for the moment.
We can understand the concept and consequences of our actions upon our future. Animals can live only for what is most pleasant here and now. (Their #1 thought is their next meal.)
We were created for a higher purpose that matters for all eternity. Animals serve one primary purpose—for the benefit and enjoyment of mankind.

Just as God created animals different from us, God’s love for them is also different from His love for us. Mankind is God’s prize creation. This is why God sent His only Son to the cross to save the souls of men.

Carey Nieuwhof: 8 Reasons Churches Don’t Break the 200 Attendance Mark

Carey Nieuwhof

April 17, 2023

200 attendance mark — Adobestock #302635

While social media, and even traditional media, are still preoccupied with megachurches and multisite churches, the reality is that most churches in North America are quite small, well below the 200 attendance mark. The Barna group pegs the average Protestant church size in America at 89 adults. Sixty percent of protestant churches have less than 100 adults in attendance. Only 2 percent have over 1,000 adults attending.

Please understand, there’s nothing wrong with being a small church. I just know that almost every small church leader I speak to wants his or her church to grow. I get that. That’s the mission of the church. Every single day, I want our church to become more effective in reaching one more person with the hope that’s in Christ. So, why is it that most churches never break the 200 attendance mark?

It’s not:

Desire. Most leaders I know want their church to reach more people.

A lack of prayer. Many small church leaders are incredibly faithful in prayer.

Love. Some of the people in smaller churches love people as authentically as anyone I know.

Facility. Growth can start in the most unlikely places.

Let’s just assume you have a solid mission, theology and heart to reach people. You know why most churches still don’t push past the 200 attendance mark?

You ready?

They organize, behave, lead and manage like a small organization. Think about it. There’s a world of difference between how you organize a corner store and how you organize a larger supermarket.

In a corner store, Mom and Pop run everything. Want to talk to the CEO? She’s stocking shelves. Want to see the director of marketing? He’s at the cash register. Mom and Pop do everything, and they organize their business to stay small. Which is fine if you’re Mom and Pop and don’t want to grow.

But you can’t run a supermarket that way. You organize differently. You govern differently. There’s a produce manager and people who only stock shelves. There’s a floor manager, shift manager, general manager and so much more. So what’s the translation to church world?

8 Reasons Churches Don’t Break the 200 Attendance Mark

1. The pastor is the primary caregiver.

Honestly, if you just push past this one issue, you will have made a ton of progress. When the pastor has to visit every sick person, do every wedding and funeral, and make regular house calls, he or she becomes incapable of doing other things. That model just doesn’t scale.

If you’re good at it, you’ll grow the church past the 200 attendance mark and then disappoint people when you can’t get to every event any more. Or you’ll just burn out. It creates false expectations and so many people get hurt in the process.

Although it’s 20 years old, this is still the best book I know on the subject.The answer, by the way, is to teach people to care for each other in groups.

2. The leaders lack a strategy.

Many churches today are clear on mission and vision. What most lack is a widely shared and agreed upon strategy.

Your vision and mission answers the why and what of your organization. Your strategy answers how. And how is critical.

Spend time working through your strategy. Be clear on how you will accomplish your mission and don’t rest until the mission, vision and strategy reside in every single volunteer and leader.

Is Worshiptainment the Problem, Or Is It Something Else?

David Santistevan

April 17, 2023

The debates never end. The divide is strong. Is production in worship a value or is it destroying the church? Are we actually worshiping God or are we worshiping worship? Mike Livingston address his concern in a blog post titled The Heresy of Worshiptainment. In the article he quotes David Platt and A.W. Tozer, talking about how humans have taken the place of God in our gatherings. We aren’t hungry for the Word of God, we’re actually hungry to be entertained.

This is interesting because I agree with most everything he said. But something about the article just rubbed me the wrong way. To label our worship “heretical” is a severe generalization. No one can judge the essence of our worship but the Holy Spirit. It’s a waste of time for us to try to label forms of worship “wrong” because they appear to be Worshiptainment.

Worshiptainment

Worship cannot be judged by outward forms. It is an inner response to an inner working of the Holy Spirit. Sure, as a worshiper I should never be dependent on a certain sound, talent, worship leader or light show. But if those forms actually serve me in worshiping God, I’m all the better for it.

Do Talent and Production Serve or Distract?

John Piper, in his fabulous book Seeing Beauty and Saying Beautifully, dissects the life and ministry of America’s great preacher George Whitefield. Whitefield was a freak of nature when it came to preaching. He could command the attention of thousands of people in an open field (without a microphone). His natural talents have always been admired by Christian and unbeliever alike.

Many, including John Wesley, wondered if Whitefield’s preaching was actually in service of the Gospel or in competition with it. Did people simply enjoy Whitefield’s preaching style or were they moved by what he said? Was it more about Whitefield or the Gospel? Was it Worshiptainment back then?

Piper sheds some light:

So if you ask Whitefield, ‘Why do you preach the way you do?’ he would probably say, ‘I believe what I read in the Bible is real.’ So let me venture this claim: George Whitefield is not a repressed actor, driven by egotistical love of attention. Rather, he is consciously committed to out-acting the actors because he has seen what is ultimately real. His oratorical exertion—his poetic effort—is not in place of God’s revelation and power but in the service of them. It is not an expression of ego but of love—for God and for the lost. It is not an effort to get a hearing at any cost but to pay a cost suitable to the beauty and worth of the truth.

The poetic effort to speak and act in suitable ways wakened in him the reality he wanted to communicate. For him the truths of the gospel were so real—so wonderfully, terrifyingly, magnificently real—that he could not and would not preach them as though they were unreal or merely interesting. He would not treat the greatest facts in the universe as unworthy of his greatest efforts to speak with fitting skill and force.

Can our excellence in production not serve this same end? I don’t want to treat the greatest facts in the universe as unworthy of my greatest efforts to produce, create, sing, write and lead with fitting skill and force.

Finding Happiness in Christ Is Not Automatic

Randy Alcorn

April 16, 2023

The book of Nehemiah records God’s sovereign plan to rebuild Jerusalem. Yet it repeatedly shows Nehemiah’s strategic positioning of his people to counter the building project’s many enemies: “We prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat” (Nehemiah 4:9, NIV). Their prayer acknowledged God’s sovereignty. Their preparations recognized their responsibility to act wisely.

Likewise, our actions should be in concert with our prayers—we should pray to find happiness in God and then take the kind of actions that will help us find happiness in God.

Some say, “I thought I would experience joy in the Christian life, but I never have.” Is that because we spend hours a day on social media but “don’t have time” to join a home Bible study? Do we schedule lunches and tennis matches but not regular times with God? Why do we expect to be happy in God when we’re not choosing to do what we can to learn, study, and discuss who God is, what He has done, and what He’s doing?

The Christian life is supernatural but not enchanted. God doesn’t magically make us happy despite the fact that we make work, sports, leisure, or sex into our idols. If we choose to seek happiness elsewhere, God won’t force Himself on us. And He certainly won’t give us happiness in what’s not from Him or what’s distanced from Him.

Happiness comes naturally in the same sense that fruit comes naturally from a tree. If the tree gets sufficient sunshine and water, if the ground is rich in nutrients, if the tree doesn’t contract diseases, then yes, it “naturally” produces fruit. We must plant ourselves in the rich soil of God’s Word, soak in the living water of God and His people, and bask in the radiant sunlight of His grace. And then happiness will come naturally.

In this video, Pastor Greg Laurie and I answer the question, “What are things that contribute to happiness, and what are things that deplete it?”

Watch our full interview here.

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

Touchscreen Toddlers: Navigating Technology With Little Ones

Dale Hudson

April 15, 2023

touchscreen toddlers — Adobestock #345074790

With each upcoming generation, it seems they are entering the digital era at younger and younger ages. Even toddlers are engaging with technology and digital content.

A recent survey gathered information about this in the lives of kids ages zero to four-years-old. The study surveyed over 1,000 parents of toddlers. Here are some of the findings. It’s getting easier and easier for toddlers to navigate touch screens.

42% of toddlers know how to open apps.

28% of toddlers are able to navigate apps.

42% have mastered basic functions like turning the volume up and down.

13% of parents said their toddlers can record videos.

34% of toddlers can take pictures with the phone.

32% can draw on a digital tablet.

30% can turn a device on or off by themselves.

27% can unlock a device if it has a passcode.

What do toddlers engage with on touchscreen items?

Videos: 73%
Games: 56%
Educational content: 41%
Drawing and coloring: 34%

65% of preschoolers use tablets. 45% use cell phones. 20% use laptops.

How much time are toddlers spending using technology? 10 hours per week. This is up from 8.8 hours a year ago.

Here are some thoughts I have about this:

Today’s kids are growing up in a digital world. It’s how they learn. It’s how they communicate. Here’s an example of this. Each Sunday evening, I talk with my grandson who lives in another state. We talk by using FaceTime. A digital app that lets us talk with him face-to-face.

It’s how they are entertained. It’s how they fill their discretionary time.

My nephew, who is five, got his first haircut when he was around two years old. To help keep him calm during the haircut, his dad gave him his cell phone to play games on. Even at the age of two, he knew how to navigate through the smart phone and open game apps. It kept him occupied and the haircut took place without any crying or flinching or restlessness.

Campfire Snacks for Youth Groups: 15 Resources for Outdoor Treats

Stephanie Martin

April 14, 2023

Need new ideas for campfire snacks? Then check out all these creative options! Some are on the healthier side, while others are more indulgent. But they’re all tasty—and terrific for your next youth group adventure!

Warmer weather means it will soon be time to head outdoors with your teens. Youth campouts, campfire devotions, outdoor worship, and nighttime games make for memorable outings. And because kids always seem to be hungry, don’t forget the campfire snacks!

S’mores and roasted marshmallows are always a hit around a campfire or bonfire. But many more options are available, from sweet to savory. To help “spark” your creativity, we’ve rounded up a range of fun, delicious outdoor snack ideas.

Ask a few of your food-savvy group members to narrow down some favorites. Then enlist a few parent volunteers to wrangle up the supplies and do any necessary prep work.

Enjoy browsing through—and sampling—these yummy campfire snacks for youth groups!

15 Sources for Creative Campfire Snacks

Adapt these ideas and recipes for your own youth group:

1. Campfire Replicas

These adorable (and healthy) snacks look just like a miniature campfire. Kids will love making and eating them.

2. Popped & Fresh

Have teens pop their own popcorn around the flames…safely. This recipe is easy to adapt, with various popcorn flavors.

3. Customized Cones

Offer a variety of treats so teens can “cook” their own campfire cones.

4. Fancy Fare for Flames

We love this delicious snack for campouts: campfire eclairs!

5. Hearty & Hale

For more filling campfire snacks, check out this picnic in a bag. It’s also known as a walking taco.

6. Campfire Nachos

Here’s another savory treat that teenagers are sure to love.

7. C is for Cookies (and Campfires)

These cute cookies are ideal to serve at a pre-camp meeting.

‘We Would Be a Fool Not To Trust’ God’s Plans Over Ours—Colton Dixon Discusses His No. 1 Hit Single, ‘Build a Boat’

Jesse T. Jackson

April 14, 2023

When “American Idol” alum Colton Dixon released his song, “Build a Boat,” in April, he had no idea how much of a hit it would become.

The song, which was inspired by the biblical story of Noah, spent more than 45 weeks on the Hot Christian Songs chart. For 10 of those weeks, it was in the number one spot on Billboard’s Christian radio chart.

Dixon was taught the story of Noah while growing up in church. However, later in life, he has come to believe that many portrayals of the story, including some from Hollywood, have misunderstood the biblical account.

Dixon told ChurchLeaders, “There’s this big struggle between God and Noah, with Noah saying, ‘You’ve got the wrong guy. I don’t want to do it.’ And God asks Noah to build an ark—giving him all the specifications—and then the Bible says Noah did exactly as God had asked him. Period. There was no wavering. Noah was faithful.”

Noah’s faithfulness really challenged Dixon’s own faith walk.

“I want to be known as someone who, when God asks me to do something that makes zero sense in the natural, that my response is yes,” he said.

“God isn’t going to ask you to do something just because he feels like it. I think he’s trying to get something to you,” Dixon said. “His plans for us are to prosper us—not to harm us—to give us hope and a future. He knows the best case scenario for us. So when he asks you to do something that doesn’t make sense, we would be a fool not to trust and to go along with it.”

Dixon explained that he wrote “Build a Boat” to inspire people to obey God because God promised rain and is always faithful.

In a world filled with hardships, Dixon encouraged pastors “not to give up just before you see the breakthrough.” Dixon said he believes that “faith is the thing that precedes a miracle. Faith is the only thing that pleases God, actually.”

“So when you’re hit with opposition, or when you don’t know what else to do, just keep having faith,” Dixon said. “Keep trusting that God is on the throne, because he is. And it might not be tomorrow, but the miracle is on its way. So just keep having faith.”

“Build a Boat” will be one of seven tracks featured on Dixon’s upcoming EP, titled “Canvas,” which is set to be released on April 28.

Laura Lentz Addresses ‘Women Hating on Women’: ‘Let’s Do Better’

Jessica Lea

April 14, 2023

Laura Lentz, wife of former Hillsong East Coast pastor Carl Lentz, took to Instagram this week to dish out some advice to other women, naming in particular pastors’ wives and female church leaders.

“MEAN COMMENTS ON OTHER WOMENS [sic] POSTS ARE NOT GOING TO CHANGE ANYONE,” said Laura Lentz in a post she said was originally published to her stories. “All it does [is] make you look like a mean, judgmental, jealous, bitter, foul hearted person!”

In the caption of her post, she commented, “I must’ve really hit a nerve yesterday with my stories… never had such a response on women hating on women! so i thought i’d [sic] share it here. Also, block and delete is my fave thing to do!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Laura Lentz (@lauralentz)

Laura Lentz Asks Pastors’ Wives Not To Judge

Laura Lentz is married to Carl Lentz, who was fired from Hillsong East Coast in November 2020 for “moral failures.” Shortly after the news was announced, the pastor publicly said he took “full responsibility” and that he had been “unfaithful in my marriage.”

In December 2020, The Daily Mail reported on a leaked call in which Hillsong’s then-global senior pastor, Brian Houston, implied Carl had more than one affair and said he was guilty of “general narcissistic behavior. Manipulating, mistreating people. Breaches of trust. Constantly lying.”

Houston is himself no longer with Hillsong following a series of events, including the revelation of past inappropriate behavior toward two women, as well as substance abuse.

Houston has also been charged with concealing child sex abuse perpetrated by his father, Frank Houston, and in December 2022 testified as the lone witness in his defense. According to Houston’s wife, Bobbie, the next court proceedings in the trial will take place in June.

Controversy surrounding Lentz and Hillsong has continued to dominate the headlines even after Lentz’s firing. In May 2021, Leona Kimes, who was a co-pastor of Hillsong Boston at the time and who was once a nanny for Carl and Laura Lentz, claimed that Carl had subjected her to “bullying, abuse of power and sexual abuse” while she worked for the couple. The Lentzes categorically denied the allegations via a spokesperson.

In April 2022, an investigation into Hillsong East Coast published findings of abuse and misconduct. Laura Lentz posted on Instagram at the time of the report, alluding to “lies, accusations and hypocritical scapegoating.”

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1. It helps give clarity.

2. It provides a safe place.

3. Journaling is a storehouse for years to come.

4. It helps you meditate on God’s Word.

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Do Dogs Go to Heaven? 4 Points to Consider

1. God created pets for our enjoyment because He loves us.

2. God created animals differently from humans.

8 Reasons Churches Don’t Break the 200 Attendance Mark

1. The pastor is the primary caregiver.

2. The leaders lack a strategy.

Worshiptainment

Do Talent and Production Serve or Distract?

15 Sources for Creative Campfire Snacks

1. Campfire Replicas

2. Popped & Fresh

3. Customized Cones

4. Fancy Fare for Flames

5. Hearty & Hale

6. Campfire Nachos

7. C is for Cookies (and Campfires)

Laura Lentz Asks Pastors’ Wives Not To Judge

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