Pastor Dragged From Prayer Meeting, Beaten and Arrested in India

August 13, 2019

Christians in India are afraid to report a rise in the attacks against them at the hands of radical Hindu nationalists. A recent report gives a clue about why they are hesitant to go to the police. A pastor in India’s northern Uttar Pradesh area was allegedly dragged from his home and beaten by radical Hindu nationalists last month. Reports from Chrisitan persecution watchdog groups claim the pastor was then arrested and beaten further at the police station.

“The attack started when the nationalist identified and harassed a few women and two men who were on their way to the prayer meeting [at Pastor Raju Prassad’s house] on July 28,” International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

According to ICC, the group believed to be responsible for the attack belong to the radical Hindu Nationalist group Bajrang Dal. Not only did they assault Pastor Prassad, but they also “physically and verbally” abused the men and women who were on their way to the prayer meeting. Prassad says the meeting was a gathering of his fellowship of believers and that he was not attempting to convert anyone to Christianity.

After being dragged from his home, ICC reports the group beat the pastor and then called police to report Prassad had been converting people. Worthy News describes Prassad as being “badly beaten.” Once at the police station in Chakeri, ICC alleges the radical nationalist group continued to beat Prassad, implying he was beaten under the observance of police. Prassad and members of his fellowship spent five hours at the station before they were allowed to leave. A police investigation reports no conversions took place during the meeting, although Prassad’s alleged attackers have faced no consequences for their actions.

While Worthy News and ICC’s reports describe the incident in a similar manner, The Indian Express reports it a little differently. The newspaper says Station House Officer of Chakeri police station said, “The preliminary investigation suggested that a woman had called the pastor and two women to offer prayer for her ailing mother at her house. She told us that her mother was recovering due to the prayer. She and the pastor denied conversion. “

According to The Indian Express, when police reached Prassad’s home, they saw two women “distributing religious books to a family.” The police took Prassad to the police station, but only describe a “minor scuffle” that occurred when Prassad was being taken to the station.

The two different reports agree that police decided not to file a report against Prassad as it was determined he was not converting anyone through the prayer meeting.

Christians in India Live in Fear

ICC reports other pastors in India are afraid to come forward when they are attacked. Devash Lal of the Bihar Pastors Fellowship said:

The Hindutva [Hindu nationalist] extremists are walking into churches and are disrupting prayer services–on a weekly basis, we hear of threats and attacks on home churches and pastors. Christian persecution is widely spread across Bihar, and it appears to be a much planned, systematic opposition created to target activities. We also see police supporting the perpetrators instead of taking action against them, and the victims do not come forward fearing this bias.

The persecution against Christians in India has ramped up, many watchdog groups have reported, since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power with the help of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It appears radical nationalists, who believe all of India should be Hindu, have been emboldened under Modi’s leadership to carry out attacks against those they deem unfit to live in the country.

Modi’s government has also taken direct measures to reduce the Christian influence in India by doing things like pushing Compassion International out of the country. Open Doors ranks India as #10 on its World Watch List for 2019, which represents the highest position it has held since Open Doors started making its ranked list of countries where Christians are persecuted the most.

Evangelical Fellowship of India Ask for Action

The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) has appealed to Prime Minister Modi to take action against the spike in violence against Christians in India. The group compiled a report which indicated there were 325 reported incidents of violence against Christians in 2018 alone—a steep jump compared to 2012 when there were 130 reported incidents.

EFI has organized a National Day of Prayer Campaign which is coming up on the 18th of August. You can read the prayer guide these Indian leaders have put together and join them in their efforts to pray for the “well-being, peace and prosperity” of India.

Race Matters: Why We Must Send More Missionaries of Color

Doug Logan

August 12, 2019

For the sake of the gospel, it’s critical that we send more missionaries of color because race matters. I grew up in historically black churches. I planted an inner-city church. Now I pastor a multiethnic congregation, and I work with planters in urban communities around the world. But I only know one black missionary serving on the field today.

Just one.

Granted, my knowledge is limited. But according to recent estimates, African Americans comprise as few as 1 percent of international missionaries. As recently as 2013, in fact, only 27 of the SBC’s 4,900 missionaries were black. Similar stats about the rarity of missionaries from other demographics are easy to find as well.

At this point, the conversation often veers toward discussing the historic causes of this disparity. Those are important, but I’m more interested in a way forward. For the glory of God and the sake of the nations, we need to send more missionaries of color to the world. I want to show you why we must and how we can. But first, we have to talk about who “we” is.

Race Matters. Wait. Who’s “We”?

I’m arguing that we need to send more missionaries of color to the world. But many missionaries serving today are already sent from non-white, non-Western countries (places like Brazil, South Korea, and India). This is a wonderful reality reflecting the rapid rise of a global Christianity.

“For the glory of God and the sake of the nations, we need to send more missionaries of color to the world.”

Nevertheless, if you look at the top ten missionary-sending countries (p. 76), the US still sends more than the next seven countries combined. We should rejoice in the increasing missionary work of believers from other nations. But we also need to recognize that America still has a disproportionate effect on world missions—for good or for bad.

So when I say we need to send more missionaries of color to the world, I’m talking about North American sending agencies. I’m talking about the International Mission Board along with other likeminded organizations in America that we love and pray for.

Race Matters: Why Missions Can’t Be Colorblind

In a perfect world, everybody could accept the truth from anybody. Blacks could hear truth from whites, and vice versa. The poor could hear truth from the rich. And nations struggling under the long arm of oppression could hear truth from descendants of their oppressors.

But we don’t live in a perfect world. Instead, we live in a world where fallen hearts are hunting for any excuse to reject the gospel. This is why Paul had his Timothy (who was biracial) circumcised for the sake of the Jews (Acts 16:1–3). There wasn’t anything wrong with Timothy; nevertheless, something about Timothy was still a stumbling block for his audience.

“In a perfect world, everybody could accept the truth from anybody. . . . But we don’t live in a perfect world.”

Like it or not, the legacy of European colonialism is a major stumbling block for many of the millions who suffer in places ravaged by centuries of light-skinned oppression. In contexts like these, black and brown missionaries simply bring credibility that’s hard to obtain otherwise. On top of this, diverse missionary teams avoid sending the wrong message about our faith. Simply by virtue of being different, they help the world see that the gospel is for all types of people.

Race Matters: How to Address the Current Lack of Color

We can do one of two things at this point. We can ignore the racial realities of global history and the stumbling blocks that exist because of them. Or we can take the recognized need to be contextually sensitive and expand it to include being color conscious. It’s not much of a choice.

Being color conscious will not usher in the return of McGavran’s homogenous unit principle with its strategic avoidance of diversity in our churches. On the contrary, we are seeking to increase the diversity of our missionary teams. Yet the goal is not decreasing the number of white missionaries on the field. Rather, the goal is a Psalm 67 consummation of a Matthew 28 commission. We want all ethnē (nations) going to all ethnē.

Confessing Sin Is Always Awkward, Sometimes Costly, and Absolutely Worth It

John Lee

August 12, 2019

Confessing sin is always awkward but it’s worth it. Here’s why.

I sat alone in the church for 15 minutes. The acquaintance who had invited me was nowhere to be found. Finally, he walked in with his fiancée. In jest, I told him he was a bad example of what a godly church member should be.

“Yeah, my fiancée and I had a huge fight,” he said. “I’ll tell you about it later.”

I felt the blood drain from my face. I barely knew him! Why was he being so vulnerable?

CONFESSING SIN IS NOT ABOUT UPHOLDING A REPUTATION

Growing up in a traditional Asian American church, I was taught the importance of reputation. I was told to avoid confessing struggles and sins. Because my dad was respected in church ministry, if I shared my sins with others, it would taint my parents’ image. So I struggled with lust, pride, and depression—alone.

One of the most effective yet elusive methods of destroying a man is to turn him into a hypocrite. It’s easy to see the vileness of a murderer, adulterer, or demon-worshipper. But hypocrisy is a silent killer. Many Christians claim to be willing to lose their lives but can’t risk their own reputations. We’re more preoccupied with others thinking we’re like Christ than actually being like him. The irony is that God sees us exactly as we are. He sees the comprehensive depravity of our sins, even the ones we rationalize away.

Reputation is a dam that blocks living water from flowing into our souls. It keeps us from confessing our sins. But in Christ, God has been gracious to us, which means we don’t have to prove ourselves. His throne of judgment has turned into a throne of grace! We can boldly look at the holy, righteous God and run to him in our time of need (Hebrews 4:14–16).

Nonetheless, confessing sin to one another is hard. But we must remember two things: Scripture instructs us, and God’s grace helps us. Consider these words from James: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed” (5:16).

Consistent Christian living consists of confessing sin consistently. So how do we get better at this distinctly Christian practice?

1. Confess to your fellow church members.

God has designed the church to be a community that’s committed to one another: “And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:24–25).

Committed churchgoers have a mutual responsibility for one another’s relationship with Jesus. When this responsibility is made explicit through church membership, the church grows into deep covenant community.

If you’re a member of a church, then that church is stuck with you, warts and all! And you’re committed to them as well. Your primary accountability is not with a parachurch group or a godly mentor but with the church body. This kind of relationship enables confession.

2. Be specific but not explicit.

Confessions can be littered with vague Christian generalities that do not expose sin for what it is. After the Samaritan woman meets Jesus, she runs into the town exclaiming, “He told me everything I ever did” (John 4:39).

Be specific in your confessions. Don’t just say that you “gave into lust,” but say that you viewed pornography the previous night and acted on it. Don’t just say that you’re struggling with envy, but share what lies you were thinking and believing. Don’t just say your marriage is rough, but share the specific difficulties and arguments.

And yet, don’t be explicit. Don’t say things in a way that would entice sin for others. Confession is meant to expose the ugliness of sin, not to recklessly tempt others into sin. Use discernment and wisdom, and be willing to speak honestly about boundaries as well as sins.

3. Embrace the awkward.

Confessing sin is uncomfortable. It should be because sin should never be comfortable. Even so, making the leap into confession can seem daunting. There’s no shortcut to ease into confession. Just do it. Embrace the awkward.

And remember: confessing sin isn’t just for your benefit, it’s for the recipients of the confession as well. I remember visiting a couple in the church who opened the door saying, “Come on in! We’re having a fight right now.” They spent a short time explaining the details of the fight, then “timed-in” and continued the argument. Later, they “timed-out” and asked me to share any potential sins being committed or insights that could be helpful. I was only 19, but I was discipled into thinking maturely about marriage and reconciliation.

CONCLUSION

It’s true. Confession could cost your reputation. It could result in an awkward conversation. But freedom in the gracious, holy light of God is priceless.

This article about confessing sin originally appeared here.

Hillsong’s Marty Sampson Says He’s Losing His Faith and He’s Not Bothered

Megan Briggs

August 12, 2019

Editor’s Note: Since the publishing of this article, Marty Sampson has clarified his original statement saying he is “losing my faith.” The singer posted another statement saying his faith was not lost totally, but on shaky ground. You can read his update here.

One of Hillsong United’s original band members, Marty Sampson, has announced he is no longer a Christian. The Australian native posted the announcement on his Instagram account, stating he feels “at peace with the world.”

Marty Sampson: I’m Losing My Faith

“I’m genuinely losing my faith, and it doesn’t bother me. Like, what bothers me now is nothing,” Sampson wrote in the Instagram post that has since been deleted.

Sampson has been a contributing member and worship leader for several of the bands connected to Hillsong Church. He’s contributing to songs for Hillsong United and Hillsong Young & Free. He joined the Hillsong Church Australia in the late 1990s and has also collaborated with members of the Christian band Delirious. In addition to his work with other Christian artists, Sampson has also created a solo album, Let Love Rule and an album with the band The Red Bikes.

For Hillsong, Sampson mainly stuck to vocals, the guitar, and the piano. The last album he worked on with Hillsong was Hillsong Young & Free’s 2018 release III. Sampson collaborated with Aodhan King and Benjamin Hastings to write the song “Jesus Loves Me” on that album.

Citing numerous things “no one talks about”, Sampson brings up sticky subjects that have cost the church (and Christianity as a consequence) a lot of credibility recently. In his list of things no one talks about, he mentions preachers falling, the dearth of miracles we see happen, the Bible being full of contradictions, and the seeming dissonance between an unconditionally loving God who sends people to eternal damnation.

Sampson says he wants “genuine” truth that doesn’t rely on platitudes like “I just believe it.” He goes on: “Science keeps piercing the truth of every religion. Lots of things help people change their lives, not just one version of God.”

Sampson’s deconversion, as some refer to it, from Christianity comes shortly after popular Christian author and former pastor Josh Harris made a similar announcement a couple weeks ago.

Mississippi Churches Offer Help After Immigration Raids

Stephanie Martin

August 12, 2019

Following last week’s immigration raids on seven food-processing plants in Mississippi, congregations and religious organizations are providing food, shelter, and legal assistance for people in need.

On August 7, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted one of the largest immigration raids in more than a decade, arresting 680 people. Because the raid occurred on the first day of school, many students returned home parentless. By the next morning, almost half of the detainees had been released—some because ICE is out of space and some because of humanitarian reasons. According to ICE officials, humanitarian factors include having small children at home, being pregnant, or having serious health problems.

While clergy members and civil rights activists spoke out against the raid, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant praised the arrests, saying illegal immigrants must “bear the responsibility of that federal violation.”

Churches Rally to Meet Immediate Needs After Immigration Raids

In Canton, Mississippi, the Rev. Michael O’Brien of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church waited outside one food plant until 4 a.m. Thursday. He comforted people whose family members were detained and gave rides home to employees who’d hidden inside the building. “The people are all afraid,” O’Brien says. “Their doors are locked, and they won’t answer.”

Sacred Heart is “running a Crisis Center in our Parish Hall,” according to the church’s website. Lawyers, counselors, and social workers are available to meet with impacted families, and the congregation is collecting food donations, hygiene items, and school supplies.

“We have confirmed that all our children have at least one parent in their home, so they are safe,” the church notes. “But these children are sad, traumatized, and scared.” Sacred Heart is planning a temporary daycare ministry, providing meals, and collecting emergency funds for rent and household expenses. “Parents no longer have jobs, and with this sudden loss of income families are facing a frightening and uncertain future,” the website says.

The Scott County Baptist Association launched a GoFundMe page for the local crisis center, aiming “to provide food, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and other emergency necessities to families in need.”

Pastor Hugo Villegas, a missionary for that association, leads three Spanish-speaking missions in the area. Although people are dropping off food and clothing, few Hispanics tend to make use of the association’s panty, so the pastor’s wife, Tere, is trying to spread the word about all the available help.

In the town of Forest, Trinity Missionary Church also has opened its doors as a collection center for affected residents. “Community has been great,” says volunteer Michael Bermudez. “There’s been food and donations coming [from] around the United States.”

Catholic Charities in the diocese of Jackson, the state capital, is seeking volunteers to process, store, and deliver donations. The group promises that 100 percent of donations will go toward supporting families dealing with unemployment as a result of last week’s raids. Its Migrant Support Center offers legal assistance and community outreach such as informing immigrants about their rights.

Clergy Release Joint Statement Opposing Immigration Raids

“Some churches are going beyond comfort and material aid, with their response flaring into political opposition,” notes an Associated Press article. Last Friday, local Catholic, Episcopal, United Methodist, and Evangelical Lutheran bishops released a joint statement condemning the immigration raids, saying they cause “unacceptable suffering” and create “a climate of fear.”

The religious leaders urged Christians of all denominations to “stand in solidarity to provide solace, material assistance, and strength for the separated and traumatized children, parents, and families.” The leaders add they’re “committed to a just and compassionate reform to our nation’s immigration system.”

Catholic Bishop Joseph Kopacz calls the raids “a man-made disaster,” saying detainees “are our neighbors” and “hardworking people.” He adds, “They’re not criminals, the vast majority of them.”

Pastors See Need for Racial Reconciliation More Than Other Christians

Megan Briggs

August 12, 2019

Racial reconciliation matters to church leaders. A new Barna study released this year reveals pastors and church leaders are more likely than other Christians to believe the church should work to repair the damage done to the African American community at the hands of slavery and racism. The study reveals two-thirds of pastors (65 percent) believe the effects of slavery continue to be felt today, while only half (50 percent) of practicing Christians agree with that belief.

“Acknowledgement is vital to the forgiveness process…Acknowledgement allows a person to see and absorb what has happened so that they are ready for grace to be applied. Even before God forgives our sin, there has to be an acknowledgement,” Pastor Mark Strong of Life Change Church told Barna.

The study, conducted April 2018 – August 2018, surveyed 1,007 adults, 1,502 practicing Christians, and 600 senior pastors, all in the United States. For its pastor sample, Barna says it “oversampled” to include 100 respondents who are black pastors.

Slavery Was Introduced to America 400 Years Ago

The timing of Barna’s study is significant: 2019 marks the passing of 400 years since African slaves were brought to the United States. “Many historians note the summer of 1619 as the beginning of slavery in America,” the study’s report states. Due to this milestone, Barna says “many are taking time to reflect on the history of racial injustice in America and their responsibility in healing the wounds of inequality that have been inflicted on black Americans over the last four centuries.”

However, opinions vary widely in the church about whether the effects of slavery are still felt in the African American community and what role, if any, the church should play in correcting these effects. As can be expected, opinion on this subject tends to fall along racial lines; a previous Barna study showed 59 percent of black U.S. adults strongly disagreeing with the belief that racism is a thing of the past, while only 39 percent of white adults strongly disagreed.

The new study asked practicing Christians how the Church should respond to the African American community now, in light of its 400-year history. Thirty-three percent of white practicing Christians responded there’s nothing the church should do, while only 15 percent of black practicing Christians said the same. Twenty-eight percent of all practicing Christians believe there’s nothing the church should do while only 19 percent of all pastors feel the same way.

Pastors Are More Empathic to Racial Reconciliation

Barna interprets the data it collected on practicing Christians and pastors this way: “Pastors appear more empathic than practicing Christians not only about the reality of racial inequality, but also about the Church’s role in addressing it.” Because the majority of pastors believe the effects of slavery are still being felt today, there are also more likely to believe the church should play a role in addressing the problem.

For instance, 45 percent of all pastors surveyed believe the church should work to “repair the damage” of the African American community, while only 26 percent of all practicing Christians feel the same. There is quite a lot of variance in how people believe the damage should be addressed, however, and these nuances tend to fall along denominational lines. For instance, while 36 percent of all pastors believe the Church should repent, only 27 percent of non-mainline protestant pastors believe this. Sixty percent of mainline protestant pastors believe repenting is in order. (For more thoughts on a non-mainline protestant pastor’s views on repenting for “generational sins”, you can read about Al Mohler’s thoughts.)

There is a greater consensus among non-mainline protestant pastors that lament should be employed (29 percent). Mainline pastors also look to lament as a viable option (56 percent). As far as tangible action is concerned, 30 percent of mainline pastors believe pursuing restitution with African Americans is in order, while only 13 percent of non-mainline pastors agree with that thought.

The study’s report also points out the influence pastors have in their congregant’s thoughts on racial reconciliation and the social justice debate in general. “Practicing Christians who say that “justice” is a frequent topic in their leaders’ teaching are less likely to dismiss the Church’s role in reconciliation (24 percent vs. 40 percent of practicing Christians who never hear about justice say there is nothing to be done),” the report says.

As far as why pastors are more apt than other Christians to say the fallout of slavery and racism still continues today, perhaps the answer lies in the fact that as spiritual leaders, pastors are more in tune to the needs, problems, and hardships of other people. Thus, they’re more concerned about racial reconciliation.

8 Reasons Pastors Get Fired

Chuck Lawless

August 11, 2019

Over the past several years, I’ve paid more attention to reasons pastors—including some of my acquaintances and former students—have been fired. In some cases, the congregation has been a “knucklehead” group of people who’ve treated a leader poorly; but, I’ve also seen some leaders who invited trouble by doing the following:

Leading too quickly into change. It wasn’t that change wasn’t needed; it was that leaders pushed change so hard and so quickly that the church wasn’t ready to move in that direction.
Pushing one theological agenda. Here, I’m not talking about somebody promoting heresy. In these cases, it’s been leaders who think their particular “ism” is the only correct one within the realm of evangelicalism—and they crusade for it.
Being lazy and unaccountable. This would include leaders who view ministry as only a 40-hour per week job, with little or no willingness to work beyond that limit. It also includes leaders in small churches who answer to no one and often do ministry alone.
Plagiarizing sermons. This approach to sermon preparation has always been a bad one, but access to sermons on the Internet has now made it easier to do—and easier to get caught.
Creating conflict with other staff members. Some leaders are great at things like casting vision but not so great at leading a staff. When the staff are longer-term, beloved members, conflict can lead to the new guy’s departure.
Falling morally. Many of us don’t have to look very far to find someone who’s walked this painful path. Some folks make decisions and take actions that cost them more than they ever gained by their faulty choices.
Failing to shepherd the people. When this failure has led to dismissal, it’s most often been when pastors see their role almost exclusively as the one who studies the Word and preaches—so much, in fact, that they see little need to walk with the people.
Mismanaging funds. Perhaps it’s been spending the church’s money in frivolous and wrong ways, or maybe it’s been spending without accountability. Either way, financial issues have led a church to distrust their leader—which makes it difficult for him to lead.

What other reasons would you add to this list?

This article originally appeared here.

What Is the Gospel?

Scott Sauls

August 11, 2019

What is the gospel? The Gospel is more than the “first step in a staircase” of truths. It is better likened to the hub of a wheel, the central reality around which all of life is arranged. It is not a basic truth from which we move on to deeper truths, but is the central truth from which all other truth flows. Whether you are just beginning to investigate Christianity, or are a life-long follower of Christ, the Gospel is the one, single thing you must grasp if your life is to be all God designed your life to be. Without the Gospel, life becomes distorted in many, many ways. With the Gospel, life is set to a path toward beauty and wholeness.

So what is the Gospel? The hard news of the Gospel is that the universe and everything in it is wearing down all the time, and we are more sinful and broken than we realize. The freeing news of the Gospel is that God, through the person and work of Jesus, plans to restore both the universe and his people to their original beauty and glory. Following are three big truths of the Gospel—truths that are foundational for all other teaching about faith and life.

What Is the Christian Gospel?

What Is the Gospel? God Will Restore All Broken Things

The core truth of the Gospel is that through Jesus, the love and power of God have entered history to make all things new. This renewal includes the hearts of people, but also much more. God intends to renew the entire universe. He will restore people, places, and things to their original, ‘very good’ condition as described in Genesis 3. The Bible tells us the world is not the way it is supposed to be. Because of this, people and creation itself groan in anticipation of all things being made new again—restored to their original beauty and wholeness before sin entered the world (Romans 8:18-25; Revelation 21:1-5).

What does this mean? It means that life in the present world can include seasons of joy and splendor (a satisfying friendship or romance, a new car, straight A’s, an athletic victory, a delicious meal, beautiful music, etc.). But there is also much of life that is broken and difficult (frustration in work, pain in relationships, financial strain, sickness, death). In spite of the fact that all things eventually break down, even in the worst of circumstances, those who live inside the Gospel can also live with hope (2 Corinthians 4:7-18, 12:7-10). Though things aren’t perfect now, it will all be made right when God renews all things.

There is also room for a kind of redemptive discontent for those who believe the Gospel. Think of the last improvement project you set out to complete (remodeling a kitchen, dusting off furniture, weeding a lawn, strengthening a relationship, healing an illness, getting a haircut, editing an essay, etc.). Both the frustration you felt before the work was done (this isn’t how it’s supposed to be…it could be so much better!), and the sense of satisfaction you felt when the project was completed, are glimpses of God’s image working in and through you. He is a God who eagerly desires, as the rock band U2 sings, to “make beauty out of ugly things.”

3 Great Values of Small Group Life

Dan Reiland

August 11, 2019

I’ll admit my bias, I’m a fan of small group life.

In my observation, the best and most enduring stories of life change are connected to some form of small group life.

Christianity was never designed to be a journey taken alone. In fact, I don’t believe you can live your faith journey to its fullest potential by yourself.

You can know Jesus as Savior, but you will not likely experience the fullness of growth and maturity that you are designed for, if you do it on your own.

It’s not a legalistic proposition. There have been seasons where I’ve not been in a small group. But I can tell you that I always live better in the context of connection with others on a similar faith journey – in pursuit of greater understanding and intimacy with God.

From decades of leading men’s small groups, to leading and participating in couple’s small groups, and currently participating on a church board that pursues spiritual connection and life transparency to such a degree it is a form of group life!

Your church likely offers small groups too.

But no matter how much encouragement you give, it’s not easy to inspire all of your congregation to get involved in a group.

Before we get into the three great values of small groups, here’s a quick look at three of the most common false beliefs that keep your people out of groups with a practical approach to increasing participation.

3 false beliefs that prevent people from joining small groups:

1) The belief that there is not enough value.

One person said to me: “It’s not worth the trade.” I asked what he meant, and he said, “My previous group experience was not spiritually productive. We had great fun together, but I can’t afford a night a week just to hang out and have good coffee.”

Personally, I do want a fun group, but I understand his response. He wants to grow spiritually.

A practical solution is higher quality and better trained leaders. The best leaders are those who can create an environment conducive to spiritual growth, and also make it fun!

2) The belief that there is not enough respect or understanding.

This belief of perhaps being embarrassed or even made to feel “less than” is usually from those who have never tried a group. But it’s nonetheless real and keeps people from attending.

A practical solution is to clearly communicate expectations and group norms.

Let your congregation know straight up that everyone is loved and accepted and has something to offer from their own life story. No one is put on the spot and everyone is encouraged to go at their own pace.

3) The belief that there is not enough time.

It is true that the majority of your congregation lives a very busy life. They work hard, take time for family life, and want to rest a little at the end of the day.

But there is enough time when you are motivated by something you want.

A practical solution is to communicate the potential for a better and more fulfilling life through real stories of life change. Don’t limit your challenge to mere mechanics such as “Everyone get in a group.” Cast vision for why it’s so important.

3 Great Values of Small Group Life

(These will help you communicate the value of groups in your church.)

1) Sustained life change happens best in small group life.

God can and does move in large group experiences. The obvious example is your Sunday morning worship experience. The Holy Spirit is present and active, worship stirs the soul, and the truth of Scripture inspires life change. It can happen in a moment.

However, we also know that continued and sustained life change (growth) doesn’t happen by the large group experience alone. An environment is needed to make it practical.

2) Life makes more sense in the context of small group life.

As a pastor for more than thirty years I can tell you that life is more complicated now than ever before. Life is wonderful, but it’s complicated. Culture is changing rapidly, people have more questions, and sometimes life just doesn’t make sense.

This sometimes leads to constructing a “theology” of life that fits their circumstances rather than fits the reality of God and biblical truth.

Small group doesn’t necessarily answer all of life’s questions, but hearing other’s experience helps life make sense, and together you live life better.

3) Small group life provides opportunity for spiritual leadership.

When you are part of a small group you receive great value, but you always receive more when you lead the group.

You may give more in terms of preparation, prayer and serving those in your group, but when you lead the group, your personal growth is exponential. It’s based on the simple principle that you get out of it what you put into it.

Small group ministry provides the incredible opportunity for individuals to step up and lead. There is nothing quite like it. Seeing life change on the front lines is a gift that you just can’t put a price tag on.

This article about small group life originally appeared here.

5 Ways Livestreaming Church Services Can Help Expand Your Congregation

Sling Studio

August 11, 2019

Livestreaming has become a mainstay for many houses of worship. Churches of all sizes have discovered that livestreaming church services is a wonderful option for those who aren’t able to attend services in person and can also help expand a congregation across the globe.

Some congregation members may be unable to leave their home, military personnel stationed abroad, or families who miss church because of illness. Additionally, there are some people who simply prefer watching a livestreamed service over going to a physical church.

There are churches that have large budgets to work with while many have very small budgets or close to nothing at all. Large or small, here are five ways that livestreaming can help your congregation reach every corner of the world:

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1) Make the World Your Audience: By livestreaming your church sermons, it’s now possible to share your inspirational message to a broader audience and help them stay connected from any location. Viewers can be at home in their PJs or even watching from a small town in Bostwana.

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2) Keep Them Connected: Moving away doesn’t have to mean losing connection. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have out of town relatives be able to enjoy your congregation’s youth concerts? Grandma won’t miss a beat of her grandchild’s holiday performance with live broadcasts!

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3) Make Fundraising More Dynamic: Go beyond the four walls of your church and use video for your fundraising efforts. Whether you are raising money for a youth program, missionary trip or helping a member in need; a livestreamed fundraising video can reach new supporters.

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4) Upgrade Your Youth Programming: Teenagers, or as we affectionately call them “screenagers,” can help your ministry spread the word through social media. Connect with them on their favorite platforms, and watch your messages go viral to their circle of friends.

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5) Take Them on the Mission: It would be great to bring the entire church on the mission journey to a distant land, but it’s not always financially practical or possible. Instead, use livestreaming to share the story of your mission work in real time – let others back home see the difference you are making for communities in other parts of the country or the world.

Worth a look: Check out how Pastor Mark Leonard, who is also a video producer, uses SlingStudio to do church a little bit differently. He feels it’s extended his creativity and taken his production to another level.

7 Important Tactics That Makes Kids Feel Valuable

Nicki Straza

August 10, 2019

I am of the opinion that kids are not inferior or “less” than adults. In fact, I believe that kids can and should play a significant role in creating a culture within a community and they do not have to wait until they have the maturity of an adult to do so. Kids play a huge role in ministry, and when we give them the space to do so as kids, they grow up to be adults who know they have a role in ministry. How can you make kids feel valuable? Here are 7 ways.

7 Important Tactics That Makes Kids Feel Valuable

1. Treat Them As Contributors.

Taking time to listen to their ideas and communicating their value is very important. Allow yourself to learn from the kids by letting them know that this was an idea you hadn’t thought of or one that you wish to take and implement into your own life. This posture of collaboration is excellent modeling of honor, humility, and teamwork. When students feel that what they have to offer is valued, they will in turn give you respect and listen to what you have to say. This mutual display of honor is the bedrock of effective influence. If you wish to influence students towards positive behavior changes, do so by taking a coaching role vs an instructor or even disciplinarian role with your students.

2. Expect Them To Behave As Capable Kids

The Pygmalion effect, or Rosenthal effect, states that the greater the expectation that is placed on someone, the better they perform. The reverse is also true (known as the Golem Effect) low expectations lead to a decrease in performance. Simply having these heightened expectations placed on them can give them space to stretch and grow in areas they may have settled otherwise. Don’t allow excuses, and affirm good choices whenever you have the opportunity to. Kids will rise to the opportunities you give them, don’t minimize what you think they are capable of doing, let them try!

3. Correct Behavior Not Children

In any class dynamic, there will be moments where correction needs to take place. Be sure to address the behavior and choices that are being made versus making statements about the value of the child. For example, “Andy, would you re-consider your choice to throw garbage at your neighbor?” versus “Andy, stop throwing garbage, I need you to be a good boy.” The latter phrase suggests that making bad choices makes the child a bad person. We all have the power to change when we make a different decision. Empowering kids in this way, lets them know that they are valuable.

4. Use Their Ideas

Nothing is more affirming then when someone uses your idea over simply acknowledging it. Put an idea to work, use an idea, and give credit to the child who came up with the idea. The more involved kids are in the process, and the more their contributions are put to work, the more valued they feel. Contribution breeds confidence and confidence builds self-esteem.

5. Affirm Positive Behavior

Take moments to affirm, acknowledge, and share moments when you see a child choosing well. A high five, or a public acknowledgment can be very affirming, however, the most valuable affirmation happens privately. If you notice a child making good choices, take note and take a moment to approach them personally, or write them a note that acknowledges what you saw.

6. Control Classroom Dynamics

Everyone in their enthusiasm may interrupt or cut someone off, however, to allow this to happen on a regular basis contributes to class chaos and hurt feelings. When you model honor for what the students have to say and help the other students to do the same, while still feeling honored themselves, you maintain a positive classroom dynamic and communicate value and respect. A simple way to communicate value is to help classmates conduct themselves in an honoring way using phrases like:

“Andy, I do want to hear what you have to say, but let’s finish listening to what Alyssa is saying so that we can benefit from what you both have to share.”
“There are so many ideas here that I want to hear as many as possible. Let’s put our hands up and share one at a time, so we can all benefit.”
“Juliette, I would really like to hear what you think about ___________.”

7. Make Room For Interaction Not Just Information

Students are used to being talked at all day. You will get their attention and communicate value simply by making room for them to share their thoughts and opinions on something. The goal of any Sunday school or kids ministry class is not just to pass on information, though that is important. Instead, we need to facilitate critical thinking skills and nurture self and peer awareness. Inviting kids to offer their ideas in discussion and discovery encourages peer to peer education and allows others to learn from the experiences and insights of others. Creating opportunities for kids to act on what they have learned, share their experiences, and enjoy shared emotional experiences bonds learning to their very core.

How do you communicate honor and value to the kids in your family or ministry? Be sure to post in the comments!

Church Leaders: Ministry Is From God, But It Is Not God

Eric Geiger

August 9, 2019

Ministry is from God, but ministry is not God.

When I first began serving in local church ministry, a pastor told me that “church is a great place to hide out and a great place to burn out.” He further explained that ministry can attract workaholics, those who live off affirmation from others for the work they do. And that ministry can also attract people who are somewhat lazy and want to hide, not doing much of anything. The key, he told me, is to work hard and serve passionately without the role becoming your source of life. It was extremely wise and helpful counsel.

All of us tend to err to one of two extremes –workaholism or laziness. Neither is beneficial and both are sinful. The only way to avoid both laziness and workaholism in ministry is to view your role as a gift and not a god. A ministry role is a gift that must be stewarded well, not approached lazily, but it is not a god that we should bow before. Augustine profoundly wrote in his Confessions:

And I viewed the other things below You, and perceived that they neither altogether are, nor altogether are not. They are, indeed, because they are from You; but are not, because they are not what You are… And You are the Lord my God, since You stand not in need of my goodness.

Ministry is from God.

Your role and your ministry are a gift from God. It is not “altogether not;” meaning ministry has great value and is a profound honor and privilege. To be able to serve people in the name of Jesus is an incredible blessing. Christ has given you the gifts you have received. He has given you the passion you possess. To help others encounter the grace of Jesus is thrilling. To witness the Lord transforming people, restoring marriages, and commissioning people to live as salt and light in our world is awesome.

It is so awesome that it can become our god (as it has been mine at times in my “struggling, not where I should be but grateful I am not what I used to be” life).

Ministry is not God.

Ministry is not “altogether” because it is not God; it is beneath God. Ministry is a great gift, but a cruel god. When we make ministry our god, it asks more and more from us without ever satisfying us. It cannot satisfy us because it is not Him. The Lord does not need our goodness. He does not need our good deeds. God can accomplish what He wants to accomplish in our churches and our cities without us. Yet, He wants to use us because He loves us. He invites us to join Him in His work. And as He uses us, His intention is that we would come to know Him more and more and realize more and more that He is better than the blessings He gives – including the work we get to do in His name.

Church leaders—enjoy ministry as a gift, but don’t bow to ministry as a god.

This article about ministry is from God originally appeared here.

If You Haven’t Heard Bear Grylls Give a Pep Talk, You Need To

Jessica Lea

August 9, 2019

“The truth is this: the man in front of you here is often full of nerves,” said Bear Grylls, speaking during one of the final sessions of the Global Leadership Summit 2019.

Grylls is a best-selling author probably best-known for the show, Man vs. Wild. To call him “adventurous” is an understatement. He is a former member of the British special forces and once summited Mount Everest not long after breaking his back in a skydiving accident. Those are just some of his many accomplishments.

Bear Grylls on Surviving the Storms of Life

Yet Bear Grylls said that many people are not aware of how often he has failed in his life or that he regularly deals with fear and self-doubt. Throughout his adventures, there are four main truths that have shaped him and which have carried him through “so many storms.”

1. Failure

Bear Grylls said that his life failures “far outweigh the successes many times over.” The first time he tried out for the British special forces, he failed after six months. On the first day of his first attempt, Grylls said, “I had that dreadful feeling that I’d volunteered for something way beyond my capabilities. And actually, I was right.” He wasn’t fast, smart or good enough, and “that truth hurt.”

But he tried again, this time in winter when the selection process was reportedly more difficult. The second time, he made it to the end and was one of only four people who did so out of 90 who had tried. What’s more, said Grylls, out those four, three of them had failed the first time.

Failures, said Grylls, are essential markers on the way to reaching our dreams. We cannot avoid them. “There’s no shortcut to your goals that avoids failures. It doesn’t exist,” he said. Instead, we must embrace our failures head on. And Bear Grylls’ failures still haunt him. But, he said, “Those failures have also made me and built resilience, quietly over time.”

2. Fear

“Life is scary sometimes,” said Grylls, “and all of us face battles,” but “how we react to that testing determines everything.” While many of us feel disqualified from life because we’re not smart, talented, or beautiful enough, Bear Grylls said that life doesn’t care about those things. Life rewards the determined, those who walk toward their fears.

Three years into the military, Grylls broke his back skydiving. He survived, but then he had to deal with the aftermath of that experience, which included rehabilitation and night terrors. However, he said, “It’s because of the fear that I still choose to jump today.” Every time he skydives now, he dreads it. But the answer to fear is facing it, so he continues to jump.

“Use the fear,” he said. “Become friends with it.” Life experience has taught him that as we move toward our fears, they often melt away. And the scars we receive as we go through life become the most meaningful parts of our stories.

3. Fire

By “fire,” Grylls means the determination to persevere when we feel we are at the end of our strength. Nobody is brilliant, brave, or extraordinary all the time. What sets people apart is following the motto of the British special forces: “Always a little further.”

When most people are giving up and when we feel like giving up ourselves, we need to use that as a trigger to give more and press on. Bear Grylls said, “Persistence requires digging deep and finding that fire that burns inside us all.” He described the hours before he summited Everest. He felt mentally and physically exhausted, and there was a voice in his head telling him he shouldn’t be there, that he didn’t belong, and that he should give up. But he didn’t.

”Know the power of resilience,” said Grylls, “because it really is the storms of life that make us strong.”

4. Faith

“We all face our Everests,” Grylls said, “whether it’s an actual mountain, a hospital, or simply holding down a job and raising a family.” Everest is just a state of mind, and faith is essential to persevering through whatever those challenges are for us.

Grylls said his faith is like a backbone for him and is something that he relies on every day. While it’s hard for him to articulate his Christian faith, he does know that he’s known, loved and forgiven, no matter how often he falls down and fails. He also acknowledged there have been many times he has tried to live his life without God. But even though he has survived doing that, Bear Grylls said he’s realized that he needs Christ’s presence to be complete and fully alive.

For Grylls, faith is “the starting place of many adventures.” It is a journey and “to walk in it every day of our lives takes real courage.”

Finally, Be Thankful

Bear Grylls closed his talk emphasizing how important gratitude is. He knows men who have lost their limbs who never stop smiling. He said, “Treasure those around you, your family, your friends. Don’t take any of them for granted. Our real wealth is always going to be found in our relationships.”

For more content on the 2019 Global Leadership Summit, please see:

Top 50 Quotes From Global Leadership Summit 2019
Hostage Negotiator Chris Voss on the Skills Every Leader Needs
Danielle Strickland: This Is What Influential Leaders Know About Transformational Change
Separating Myth From Truth in the Generations
Craig Groeschel: How to Let Your Constraints Drive Innovation
If You Lead Creatives, This Is What You Need to Know

If You Lead Creatives, This Is What You Need to Know

Megan Briggs

August 9, 2019

Do you lead creatives? Todd Henry affectionately likens this challenging leadership position to “herding tigers.” Henry says leading creatives involves some counterintuitive principles that have the potential to transform your team and give them the incubator they need to create the best work of their lives.

“Trust is the currency of creative teams. Without trust you can’t do wild, imaginative, world-changing work,” Todd Henry said from the stage of the Global Leadership Summit 2019.

What Makes a Good Creative?

There are three qualities good, productive creatives possess. Todd Henry says they are prolific, brilliant, and healthy. A leader of creatives needs to ask whether his or her team possesses these qualities.

Prolific – creatives are required to produce a lot of work, sometimes quickly.
Brilliant – a creative’s work needs to be good. Otherwise, it won’t accomplish what it should.
Healthy – creatives need to work in a sustainable way.

Henry says when a creative or a creative team lacks one of these qualities, chaos ensues. Well, maybe not chaos, but let’s just say things aren’t being done properly and the team isn’t producing what it needs to produce. Specifically, if a team or a creative is:

Prolific + brilliant – healthy = fried (burned out)
Healthy + brilliant – prolific = unreliable
Prolific + healthy – brilliant = fired

What Creatives Need From Their Leaders

It might be counterintuitive, but creatives need stability. Creatives need a stable environment in which to do their “wild, imaginative work,” Henry explains. If there are no rules and absolutely everything is possible, no one will know what to do. Absence of limitations is the enemy of art, Todd Henry says, quoting Orson Welles.

“To produce stability, you have to earn the right to be followed every day,” Henry says.

Leaders have to take the first risk by giving their team of creatives direction, even when they’re not entirely sure what that direction should look like. Another thing a creative team needs is clarity of process. They need to know where they’re going and a loose idea of how they’re going to get there. Additionally, they need to be protected from anyone or anything who’s going to derail the project. Henry gave the example of a team who was commissioned to do a project, and who work on the project diligently, only to have the project scrapped at the last minute by someone (likely outside the team) saying “it’s not working.” In a situation like this, if the leader of the creatives doesn’t protect them from such an outcome, the leader will lose trust, which Todd Henry likens to the “currency of creative teams.”

Secondly, creatives need to be challenged. Creatives need permission to push the boundaries. Todd Henry admits it can be tricky to strike a good balance between a stable environment and challenge since stability and challenge are often in tension with one another. Challenge isn’t simply setting a high bar above a creative. Rather, it involves calling out their potential.

A leader of creatives must understand that the proper mix between challenge and stability is going to be different for each person, and it might take some tweaking to get it just right. To illustrate this point, Henry employed an x/y axis graph and explained:

High challenge and low stability = anger. The team will be upset you challenged them but didn’t provide direction or protection as they work.
Low stability and low challenge = lost. A lack of challenge and no clear direction will produce a team that doesn’t know what to do.
High stability and high challenge = stuck. Creatives don’t want to be micromanaged. This will kill their creativity. They will resort to the phrase you never want to hear from them: “Just tell me what to do.”

“When you find the balance of challenge and stability, your team will THRIVE.” @toddhenry #GLS19 pic.twitter.com/vnqJw3xlUL

— Global Leadership Network (@GLNsummit) August 9, 2019

Top 50 Quotes From Global Leadership Summit 2019

Megan Briggs

August 9, 2019

Craig Groeschel

“Leadership is influence, and everyone has influence.”

“Perfection is often the enemy of progress.”

“If you commit to your what and you’re consumed by the why, you will figure out the how.”

“If you’re not dead, you’re not done!”

“Knowledge leads to conclusions while emotion leads to actions.”

(You can read more about the talk Groeschel gave at GLS here.)

Bozoma Saint John

“If we’re really going to change the way culture is, it’s not leadership…it’s up to us.”

“I think we need to give people the ability to come into our circles and know the full story of who we are.”

Ben Sherwood

“The greatest swordsman in England isn’t afraid of the second-greatest swordsman in England. The greatest swordsman in England is afraid of a farmer with a pitchfork because a farmer with a pitchfork has nothing to lose.”

“There is a high correlation between the quantity and quality of ideas.”

“No matter how hard you get hit, if you maintain your point of reference, you stay on course. It’s when people lose their point of reference as leaders that they get lost.”

“Faith is probably the most powerful survival tool and one of the most important leadership tools as well.”

Liz Bohannon

“Mastery and expertise aren’t actually the end goals for a leader. The goal is to be moving through the cycles of learning.”

“You don’t ‘find your passion’…but you can build it.”

“Each of us is terribly broken and brilliantly bright.”

“The role of a leader is not to be the hero of anyone’s story but to inspire and equip others to be the hero of their own stories.”

“When I made the dream as small as it could possibly be, I became a doer instead of a dreamer.”

Back to School Means Back to the Bible for Some Districts

Stephanie Martin

August 9, 2019

Is it back to the Bible time? Following this spring’s wave of state legislation regarding Bible literacy electives, some students heading back to public school classrooms this fall will learn about the Bible’s history, literature, and values.

Missouri and Alabama are among the states that now have carefully crafted laws allowing schools to offer such courses. Although bills in some states failed, the overall trend is to follow the lead of Kentucky, where the governor signed a Bible literacy bill into law in 2017.

Groups such as the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation helped lawmakers in several states draft legislation through Project Blitz. In January, President Trump tweeted about the flurry of activity: “Numerous states introducing Bible Literacy classes, giving students the option of studying the Bible. Starting to make a turn back? Great!”

Chuck Stetson, founder of the Bible Literacy Project, says the movement definitely has momentum. “We’re not too far away from a tipping point,” he says. “Instead of having to find a reason to teach the Bible in public schools academically, as part of a good education, you’re going to have to find a reason not to do it.”

Back to the Bible in Schools: “This isn’t a religion class”

In Missouri, public schools are now encouraged—but not required—to offer Bible electives. Ben Baker, the representative who sponsored that state’s bill, says, “In America, no root runs deeper than the Bible.” It’s “simply a part of the fabric of life.”

Ed Emery, the bill’s sponsor in Missouri’s senate, says, “A lot of our teachers today have been raised in this era where they were told it was illegal to have the language of the Bible in schools, which is absolutely not true.”

Alabama’s legislation and guidelines surrounding it are so new that few classes are in place for this fall. But superintendents say they’re gauging interest and figuring out what to offer and how. Russ Tate, curriculum director for Tuscumbia, says if enough students are interested, “We’ll do everything we can to make [Bible electives] happen in the future.” Core classes for graduation remain the top priority, he notes, but “we’re open to this class offering.”

Tate envisions the elective falling under the English category, while other districts align it with social studies. “This isn’t a religion class,” he says, “but using the Bible as literature.”

Keith Davis, another Alabama superintendent, says Bible electives will likely be available for the 2020-2021 school year. “This course provides the historical basis for something most of these kids have at least been exposed to,” he says. “Anything with a strong moral foundation is good. It’s good for the kids to understand the culture in which they live.”

Schools in Florence, Alabama, had time to set up a Bible class, but Superintendent Jimmy Shaw says they’re waiting to see if enough kids sign up. “We appreciate the option of being able to offer it, but we’ll just let the students decide if they want to take the course,” he says. “It wasn’t a major issue for us.”

Allison Flanagan, a junior in Morgan County, Alabama, says she’s looking forward to the new Survey of the Bible course being offered at her high school and four others. “I’m excited to learn more about the history of [the Bible],” she says, because “that’s not something I get a lot of at church.” Created in conjunction with Piedmont International University, the online elective also provides college credit for students who pass it.

Dexter Rutherford, who has worked in both religious and public schools, says, “I don’t think you can ever do too much to expose children to spiritual values. The schools need to reinforce values, though naturally a specific religious belief would have to be avoided.” He adds that Bible electives aren’t about indoctrination but about “teaching the history and values that bode well for life, such as service to others and that’s always a good thing.”

Hostage Negotiator Chris Voss on the Skills Every Leader Needs

Jessica Lea

August 9, 2019

Having good negotiation skills is an essential skill for leaders, says FBI veteran Chris Voss. Voss, who used to be the lead hostage negotiator for the FBI, started off the second day of the Global Leadership Summit 2019 (GLS) by outlining a series of negotiation skills that all of us, not just leaders, can use on a daily basis.

“Any time the words ‘I want’ or ‘I need’ are coming out of your mouth, you’re in a negotiation,” said Voss, who now helps Fortune 500 companies navigate complex negotiations. And, he told interviewer Paula Faris, “The most dangerous negotiation is the one you don’t know you’re in.”

Key Negotiation Skills

All of us are in five to seven negotiations per day, whether we realize it or not. These negotiations could look like trying to get our kids to go to bed, asking for a raise at work, or buying a car. They could even include debates we’re having with ourselves. And as Daniel Coyle makes clear in his book, The Talent Code, negotiating—like any talent—is something anyone can develop. Voss described a variety of negotiation skills to keep in mind in any negotiation scenario.

First, hear the other side out. “Turn the negotiation into a collaboration,” said Voss, and connect with the other person.
Use tactical empathy. Empathy is being able to completely understand where someone is coming from, even if you don’t like that person. Voss emphasized, “Empathy is not compassion. It is a very compassionate thing to do.” When he would negotiate on behalf of the FBI, he would use tactical empathy by saying, “You must be nervous about negotiating with a negotiator.” He would call out the elephant in the room and empathize with the person he was talking to.
Mirroring is a tactic where you simply repeat what the other person said, which helps people feel that they were heard. If you include upward inflection when you repeat their words (making it sound like a question), this encourages them to elaborate. While this strategy sounds extremely simple, Voss said not to be fooled by its simplicity. The simplicity is what gives these strategies elegance.
At some point, allow people to say “no” to what you’re asking because doing so allows them to feel safe and honest. Said Voss, “You’ll talk to me a lot more after you’ve said ‘no’ than you will if I’ve cornered you into a ‘yes.’”
Avoid the phrase, “You’re right” and instead say, “That’s right.” The greatest practitioners of the phrase, “You’re right,” are husbands, Voss said in a joking manner. However, what this statement really means is that you want the other person to stop talking.
Use effective pauses. Two out of three people are uncomfortable with silence, said Voss, but silence is important because it gives other people the chance to talk.
Be likable. “I can’t control whether you like me,” Voss said, “But I can control whether I’m likeable.” People are six times more likely to make a deal with someone they like, and being likeable is often as simple as smiling.
Don’t say “I understand.” Similar to the “You’re right” phrase, “I understand” is what we say when we want the other person to stop talking so we can talk.
Avoid the word, “Why?” Asking “why” makes people feel as though they’ve done something wrong and causes them to be defensive. So instead of saying, “Why do you want that?” say “What makes you want that?”
Along the same lines, focus on using open-ended questions that begin with “What?” and “How?”
If the negotiation is slipping out of control, it’s because you haven’t earned the other person’s trust. Again, call out the elephant in the room. Say, “I don’t think I’ve earned your trust.”

One takeaway Voss offered at the end of his interview had to do with dealing with fear. While he always had enough faith in the negotiation process (as well as a good team backing him up) that he doesn’t remember being afraid, he does believe fear is a common struggle people have. “We’re hardwired to be afraid,” he said. Curiosity, however, keeps us in a positive frame of mind and helps us not to feel as though we’re committing to something. As a result, Voss believes, “Genuine curiosity is the fastest hack to avoid fear.”

For more content on the 2019 Global Leadership Summit, please see:

Top 50 Quotes From Global Leadership Summit 2019
If You Haven’t Heard Bear Grylls Give a Pep Talk, You Need To
Danielle Strickland: This Is What Influential Leaders Know About Transformational Change
Separating Myth From Truth in the Generations
Craig Groeschel: How to Let Your Constraints Drive Innovation
If You Lead Creatives, This Is What You Need to Know

A Few Creeds Plus the Bible: How to Shepherd a Church toward the Use of Confessions

Raymond Johnson

August 8, 2019

“I agree with every word, but only Roman Catholics read creeds.”

A member of our congregation said this to me after I’d just finished discussing why our church reads creeds and confessions during congregational worship. To him, the issue was at once simple and decisive: our church shouldn’t read creeds because Baptists don’t read creeds.

His sentiment isn’t novel. The purpose of creeds and confessions in the life of the modern church—in this case, Baptist churches—is the subject of much debate. Unfortunately, many churches fail to see the positive impact of creeds and confessions and, in so doing, disregard them altogether. However, creeds and confessions bring unity to the church in both its orthodoxy and its orthopraxy, thus protecting the church from heterodoxy.

But how does a pastor cast a confessional vision of church for a church that has never been confessional?

THE BIBLE DRIVES THE CHANGE

Confessions did not create the church, the Word of God created the church. Thus, evangelicals prioritize preaching. Calvin would go so far as to say, “The church is built up solely by outward preaching. . . . By his word, God alone sanctifies [churches] to himself for lawful use.”[1] The church is created and revitalized through the Word of God by the Spirit of God.

However, an emphasis on the expositional teaching of the Bible will naturally and organically result in a defined confessionalism. Biblical preaching guides a congregation to a defined confessionalism because terms like “Christ” and “church” carry with them massive theological import and doctrinal content. Christ’s identity is highly particular; it communicates something specific about what Jesus did for us and for our salvation (John 20:31; cf. Matt 1:17; 16:16). In the Apostles’ Creed, “church” appropriately precedes “the forgiveness of sins” because forgiveness of sins does not take place apart from the gospel the church preaches (John 20:19–23; Acts 2:38; cf. Isa 33:14–24).

Christians must know something particular about Christ’s identity, about the nature of Christ’s church. Substantial revitalization in the life of the church best occurs with a renewed interest in expositional Bible preaching and a renewal of the church’s confessional life.

PRACTICAL LITURGY FOR BAPTISTS

The idea of liturgy brings us to our original question: “How does a minister cast a confessional vision of church for a church that has never been confessional?” Here’s what it looked like in our church:

Our elders have led our congregation toward a weekly worship rhythm that integrates biblically reflective statements of tradition into corporate worship. Each week, our congregation has a time where we read aloud from either our confession of faith[2] or a creed.

Since our basic beliefs represent the foundational beliefs of Christianity, we consciously see ourselves as guided by four widely accepted and historically Christian statements of faith: the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Chalcedonian Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.

When we read creeds and confessions, it teaches our congregation that we join with all faithful believers across time and throughout the world today in confessing our faith to the glory of God. As the content of doctrine is repeated and taken in as what is true, the church is unified in its worship.

4 Advantages of Advanced Planning for Sermons and Teaching Series

Eric Geiger

August 8, 2019

When I served as an executive and teaching pastor in Miami, I learned the benefit of planning sermons and teaching series months ahead. I don’t mean the entire sermon completely prepared, but a specific direction for a teaching series and a general direction for each sermon outline within the teaching series. The advanced planning was not only helped me when I was teaching/preaching, but also helped other facets of the church.

When I served at LifeWay, I was close to research studies like this one and learned that the joke about preachers and “their Saturday night specials” (preacher lingo for sermons prepared at the last minute) is more myth than reality. According to the research, the vast majority of pastors prepare more in advance than the night before, but more than half of pastors are “less than a month out” in sermon planning.

Some find planning their sermons far out impractical. Others fear it won’t allow them to address needs that arise in their churches or moments that surface in the culture because the advanced planning will unnecessarily hold them to a direction. I get the argument but because God exists above and outside of time, He can lead us months in advance just as He can lead us in a single moment.

I plan sermon series and the general direction of sermons within a teaching series several months in advance, and here are four advantages:

1. There is more time to pray over the text and topic.

A preacher does not need to be a believer in advanced message prep to be deeply devoted to prayer. I am confident there are many who pray more deeply than I do who are not as far out in their sermon prep as I am. I have much growing to do. What I have learned is that having message direction mapped out in advance gives me more time to pray over the passage and more time to pray about the sermon.

2. There is more time to meditate on the text or topic and apply it personally.

As preachers we must preach as people who have been transformed by what we are preaching. When the text has transformed the preacher, the preacher brings a profound sense of conviction and transparency to the message. I benefit from more time to meditate on a text, apply that text to my life, and repent of my own shortcomings. And I believe the people I teach also benefit from the Word working on me.

3. Illustrations appear through the lens of the teaching series.

When I have a general direction of a sermon, illustrations and personal stories that help teach the text seem to appear in the regular rhythm of life. It is likely because my mind is often on what I will be preaching in the future, so I see life partly through the lens of upcoming sermons.

4. Opportunities for connection to other aspects of the church can be surfaced.

Advanced sermon planning can help other pastors on staff, not just the preacher. Sermons often provide natural connection points to groups or ministries within the church, and when the staff team has advanced notice, they can maximize these opportunities. It is not fair to give them two days notice. Well, you can but better work happens when they have more time.

This article about sermons and teaching series originally appeared here.

5 Heartfelt Ways to Minister After a Miscarriage

Brian Croft

August 8, 2019

A little over 11 years ago, my wife miscarried with our second child. Ever since then, God in his kind providence has provided opportunity after opportunity for my wife and me to minister to other couples after a miscarriage. As common as this kind of loss is, it is stunning how many well-meaning people have no idea how to best care for those who have lost an unborn baby.

Here are a few tips for those interested in knowing helpful ways to care for a couple after a miscarriage.

These people have just experienced this loss and be sensitive to the pain they feel.

1. After a miscarriage, embrace the seriousness of this loss.

The natural instinct of so many is to try to lessen the impact of the loss. The most common approach to accomplish this is to say things like, “Well, you know this is very common,” or “At least you were very early in your pregnancy.” These comments are meant to be helpful, but unfortunately what they typically do is diminish the seriousness of a loss like this. The best way to care for a woman who has experienced a miscarriage is to recognize the seriousness of the loss and the legitimate sorrow she should be feeling.

2. After a miscarriage, encourage both husband and wife to grieve.

Moments after my wife and I found out we had lost the baby, my father (a family doctor) sat us down and explained to us how important it was that we grieved over this loss. That sounded strange to me because the child had not been born yet. We had not known the child like our other. But my father explained how important it was that we still talked about who the child would have acted like and who the child would have looked like. He urged us to be sad over the loss and to grieve over the loss of this child just like any other major loss in our life.

It was freeing that someone told us it was OK, even good, to take time to grieve. That was essential for us to deal with the loss and move forward from it.

3. After a miscarriage, instruct the husband on how to care for his wife.

Husbands can lack discernment in knowing how to care for their wives. There are two important roles a husband must play. First, instruct a husband to be patient toward his wife’s adjustment to this loss. A woman not only has the loss to deal with, but a woman cannot escape all the physical signs of this loss.

Many women have to have a medical procedure called a DNC that helps remove the remains of the baby that may not pass on their own. Women also have the hormonal changes that begin with pregnancy, which take time to change back when the body rejects the fetus. Second, urge a husband to allow his wife to see him grieve. I failed at this as I was trying to be strong for my wife, but what my wife really needed was to know I too was sad over the loss.

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1. There is more time to pray over the text and topic.

2. There is more time to meditate on the text or topic and apply it personally.

3. Illustrations appear through the lens of the teaching series.

4. Opportunities for connection to other aspects of the church can be surfaced.

Here are a few tips for those interested in knowing helpful ways to care for a couple after a miscarriage.

1. After a miscarriage, embrace the seriousness of this loss.

2. After a miscarriage, encourage both husband and wife to grieve.

3. After a miscarriage, instruct the husband on how to care for his wife.

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