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Your personalized ministry library can be a powerful tool. Chad Graham provides 8 categories of ministry resources that should be in your pastoral library.

Your Guide for Building a Pastoral Library

Published: March 1st, 2016

When your interests are many, it is easy to get lost in the great sea of “must read” books. Perusing the bookstore can be agonizing for us bibliophiles, as we discover the sheer volume of books demanding our attention. Upon reaching the cashier, I must often shed books collected during my journey through the bookstore.

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Your personalized ministry library can be one of your most powerful tools. Chad Graham provides 8 categories of ministry resources that should be in your pastoral library.

Your Guide for Building a Pastoral Library

Published: March 1st, 2016

When your interests are many, it is easy to get lost in the great sea of “must read” books. Perusing the bookstore can be agonizing for us bibliophiles, as we discover the sheer volume of books demanding our attention. Upon reaching the cashier, I must often shed books collected during my journey through the bookstore.

Read more

Two Steps to a Healthy Church – Part 3

Two Steps to a Healthy Church – Part 3

Published: May 15th, 2019

In our journey of “two steps” we have already seen the two steps a pastor must take (grow himself, build a team) and the two steps that only the congregation can take (face reality, create an embracing environment). So what’s left?

In the final installment of this series, we will discuss the two steps that the pastor and people must take together.

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Two Steps to a Healthy Church – Part 2

Published: February 4th, 2019

We have already seen the two steps a pastor must take to help the congregation get stronger self-growth and build a team . But there are also two steps the people of the church must take to contribute to the same health journey. Many congregants know the frustration of a revolving door of pastors with their unique visions, ideas, and strategies. A frequent change in pastors can lead the congregation to forget that they, too, have some responsibility for what their church is becoming.

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Two Steps to a Healthy Church (Part 1)

Two Steps to a Healthy Church – Part 1

Published: January 9th, 2019

With thousands of churches plateaued or in decline, many of which are aging with the future growing more ominous each day, I’ve been searching for simple and powerful steps in a new direction. Many struggling churches are overwhelmed by a culture of “can’t.” They hear the ideas that turn around other congregations, but find most of these beyond their current abilities, resources, and people. There has to be a “can” out there with every church’s name on it.

There is!

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Tyrone Block, D.M.A., explains 1900s Shout Band in America’s Black Pentecostal Church as a turning point in 20th century America.

Turning Points in 20th Century America: Shout Bands

Published: February 23rd, 2017

In Spring 2016, the history department hosted the seminar “Turning Points in 20th Century America.” Topics included legal issues, economics, marketing, history, music, church history, Christian film making and social activism. Tyrone Block, D.M.A., explains Shout Band in America’s Black Pentecostal Church during the 1900s.

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The Bible provides stories about Christian heroes. “The Desperate Search for the Christian Heroic” provides biblical support for becoming heroes of the faith.

The Desperate Search for the Christian Heroic

Published: March 29th, 2016

INDIANA WOLVERINE-THE FANTASTIC FORCE WIELDING MUTANT GREEN SUPER SPIDERY HORNET-LIKE DARK KNIGHTED CAPTAIN IRONMAN—& THE DESPERATE SEARCH FOR THE HEROIC

Okay, so let’s admit it — we love superheroes.

In spite of our ever-growing knowledge and advancing technologies, we allow ourselves to be captivated by the over-the-top imaginations of those who look like us, but demonstrate a capacity or two that we can only dream of. Since Superman catapulted into our world in 1938, America has given three-quarters of a century to stories like his, and shows little sign of abandoning such fantasy. But what if these stories could be real? Better yet, what if such exploits could reveal YOU in that cape? Most of us would humbly chuckle at such a thought. We live more like Clark Kent and have yet to find any phone booth that could make us… well, you know. Besides, what’s a phone booth, anyway?

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Amy George uses poetic imagery to explain the relationship between God, the Good Shepherd and His church.

The Conceit of the Shepherd

Published: March 9th, 2017

The Bible reflects the importance of sheep in biblical society. The relationship between the sheep and the shepherd was one of intimate knowledge – the shepherd’s duty to watch over and care for each sheep was directly tied to the success of the owner.

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Shelly Zaldivar gives four tips on how to effectively use social media for ministry growth.

Social Media Tips For Your Ministry

Published: March 23rd, 2017

You see them everywhere. People with their heads down looking at their phone, sitting at coffee shops with their laptops, and scrolling through tablets to catch up on the latest news. So how do you become relevant in a noisy world? How do you speak to your community? How can you be heard amidst the many videos, memes, and personality quizzes? The key to promoting your church or ministry through social media is developing a strategy and consistently following the plan.

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Production or People: What Should Pastors Prioritize?

Published: January 15th, 2021

Pastoral leadership is much more than preparing messages and preaching once or twice a week. Some of the most meaningful moments for pastors are actually spent outside of the pulpit through their daily interactions, acts of servant leadership, and efforts to help their church operate efficiently. So, how can one person manage all of these things? Well, understanding your leadership style can certainly be a helpful first step. In this blog, Dr. Tony Garza shares how the Leadership Grid Theory can help you make sure that those around you feel valued and heard while making the most of the strengths God has given you!

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Dr. Jeff Magruder talks about how Christians need to consider language and culture when preaching the gospel to non christians.

Presenting the Gospel to Non-Christians

Published: March 2nd, 2017

In this video, Dr. Jeff Magruder explains the importance of having an awareness of language, culture and other variables when presenting the gospel to non-Christians.

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Leadership from the Proverbs: Fear of the Lord

Published: February 9th, 2021

Fear often has a negative connotation, but like any emotion, it can drive us to do remarkable things and make a positive impact. Fear should also play a role in our walks with Christ and our approach to leadership. In this blog, Dr. Dennis Robinson explains what it means to truly fear the Lord from a biblical perspective and through the lens of some of his own life experiences. Referencing the book of Proverbs, he expounds on the notion that fearing the Lord is truly the beginning of all knowledge and the key to effective leadership.

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6 Sermon Introduction Techniques to Catch People's Attention

How to Win Your Audience's Attention for Your Sermon

Published: June 28th, 2016

The sermon introduction is more important now than historically it has ever been. We can no longer assume that simply because we have a title in front of our name, letters after our name, or an open Bible before us that people feel any obligation to pay attention to what we have to say.

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Dan Langston gives 5 tips for new Christians to understand reading the Bible.

How to Read the Bible: 5 Tips for New Christians

Published: May 11th, 2017

Start with one verse wonders.

Romans 3:23 is often quoted when the decision is being made to come to Christ. While verse 23 is certainly true, Paul finishes his thought in verse 24. It’s truly good news.

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n ministry sometimes you have people in leadership that are difficult to manage. How should ministers manage the Wet Blanket types of people in ministry?

How to Manage Difficult People in Ministry: The Wet Blanket

Published: December 17th, 2015

In the work of the local church, a pastor will frequently come across people that are challenging to manage, much less lead. These are folks that have established unhealthy habits in relationships or have learned responses to conflict that have frequently proved destructive.

Who are these people and what can we do with them? Believe it or not, they come in several, easy-to-identify varieties and you can learn to manage them and even lead them to healthier behaviors.

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How to Manage Difficult People in Ministry: The Volcano

How to Manage Difficult People in Ministry: The Volcano

Published: February 16th, 2016

In the work of the local church, a pastor will frequently come across people that are challenging to manage, much less lead. These are folks that have established unhealthy habits in relationships or have learned responses to conflict that have frequently proved destructive.

Who are these people and what can we do with them? Believe it or not, they come in several, easy-to-identify varieties and you can learn to manage them and even lead them to healthier behaviors.

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In ministry sometimes you have people in leadership that are difficult to manage. How should ministers manage the User types of people in ministry?

How To Manage Difficult People in Ministry: The User

Published: January 21st, 2016

In the work of the local church, a pastor will frequently come across people that are challenging to manage, much less lead. These are folks that have established unhealthy habits in relationships or have learned responses to conflict that have frequently proved destructive.

Who are these people and what can we do with them? Believe it or not, they come in several, easy-to-identify varieties and you can learn to manage them and even lead them to healthier behaviors.

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How to Manage Difficult People in Ministry: The Thumb-Sucker

How to Manage Difficult People in Ministry: The Thumb-Sucker

Published: October 13th, 2015

In the work of the local church, a pastor will frequently come across people that are challenging to manage, much less lead. These are folks that have established unhealthy habits in relationships or have learned responses to conflict that have frequently proved destructive.

Who are these people and what can we do with them? Believe it or not, they come in several, easy-to-identify varieties and you can learn to manage them and even lead them to healthier behaviors.

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How to Manage Difficult People in Ministry: The Sherman Tank

How to Manage Difficult People in Ministry: The Sherman Tank

Published: March 3rd, 2016

In the work of the local church, a pastor will frequently come across people that are difficult to manage, much less lead. These are folks that have established unhealthy habits in relationships or have learned responses to conflict that have frequently proved destructive.

Who are these people and what can we do with them? Believe it or not, they come in several, easy-to-identify varieties and you can learn to manage them and even lead them to healthier behaviors.

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How to Manage Difficult People in Ministry: Garbage Collector

How to Manage Difficult People in Ministry: Garbage Collector

Published: October 27th, 2015

In the work of the local church, a pastor will frequently come across people that are challenging to manage, much less lead. These are folks that have established unhealthy habits in relationships or have learned responses to conflict that have frequently proved destructive.

Who are these people and what can we do with them? Believe it or not, they come in several, easy-to-identify varieties and you can learn to manage them and even lead them to healthier behaviors.

Read more