Whether you’re a church Pastor, directing a ministry, or simply a volunteer, you most likely don’t have too much time during your day to keep up with what’s being written or discussed around key ministry topics like developing discipleship, increasing participation or building stronger church community.
But, that’s OK! Because every week, we’ll round up of some of the most helpful and inspirational news and articles published on the web and give them to you here, in one centralized place as part of our “Reaffirmations Friday.”
Here are the top ministry blogs and articles this week detailing anything you may have missed.
The Danger of ‘Convenient’ Generosity
A few years ago, I discovered crowdfunding websites, and I’ll admit, I thought they were pretty genius. I can lay in bed, scroll through Facebook, donate $5 to a family, a cause, an emergency or whatever else. And afterward, I feel pretty darn good about how generous I am. Plus, people in need of funds can have their various needs met. After all, being generous is a good thing, right?… Written by Sarah Sciarini.
Bring What You Have | Watch What He Can Do With Nothing
Recently, while leading a group of church leaders on a team retreat to lay out their strategic plan for the coming year, I was shown exactly how God works with everything you have, especially when it’s nothing. As a strategy consultant to government and nonprofit agencies and corporate learning and development departments, my work is all about readiness… Written by Denise Barreto.
7 Shifts for Missional Groups
The core ministry of a church will determine the trajectory of the whole church. If a church is built around a dynamic preacher or teacher, then it will affect how everyone views the Christian life and ministry. Perhaps it is because, as humans, we like a default position. We find the influential force and fall in behind its wake… Written by Philip Nation.
What to Do When You Feel Far from God
Years ago, I went through a period of severe depression after I started my graduate program. I was deeply lonely in a new city. God felt far away. I sobbed at not even being able to feel God, but I reminded myself He was there and kept communing with Him with all my heart. After many months of daily seeking, I started to feel His gentle presence often… Written by Jade Mazarin.
Why I Have Hope for the Hard Hearted
I was reminded of this on the weekend as I was reading the early chapters of Exodus in preparation for teaching in children’s ministry. Our focus was on the plagues, the Passover and the parting of the Red Sea, but I kept getting stuck on the issue of the Pharaoh’s hardened heart, and how constantly we’re told his heart was hardened, so he would not let the people go. As I read these chapters, this state of a hardened heart is still sticking with me… Written by Aaron Armstrong.
Leadership Liturgies
Leadership is often thought of in terms of “information.” Leaders communicate to their followers, they teach and inform them (hopefully), and tell them where to go by sharing information. Leadership however, should be about forming and shaping the hearts and imaginations of those they lead. Therefore, leadership should be “formational.” Leadership shapes and creates, and is accomplished through habits, practices, routines, rituals—in other words through liturgies… Written by Rob Jacobs.