Articles for tag: 1 Peter 5:2

October 4, 2015

By Michael C. Mack Biblical illiteracy in our culture and churches is a commonly accepted reality today. In a world where moral relativism is more popular than ever, how does the church get back to living by God”s standards? Brad Himes, involvement director at Broadway Christian Church in Mattoon, Illinois, has developed a solution in his church”s small groups. He says the “Just Push Play” model of small groups has set the bar way too low for meaningful discipleship to occur. Churches have recruited hosts or facilitators rather than shepherd-leaders (1 Peter 5: 2-4), and provided minimal if any training.

November 25, 2012

Michael C. Mack

Church & Ministry Small Groups

Big Picture Questions about Small Groups

By Michael C. Mack QUESTION: What is the purpose of small groups? Are they to evangelize or edify? Is the emphasis on fellowship (helping people in the church get to know one another better), assimilation (getting new people connected into the body so they don”t leave the church), ministry (serving others outside the group), or multiplication (growing the church by growing the number of groups)? Can small groups meet at the church building on Sunday morning (like Sunday school), or must they meet at a different time in a different place? ANSWER: These are all great questions, but I think

March 7, 2011

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Small Groups

Tend Them. Grow Them. Keep Them!

By David Roadcup Shepherding. Discipleship. Member development andÂ conservation. Church leaders know each of these functions is critical if their congregation is to be healthy and fruitful. We know assimilation and development of individual Christians is important, because we”ve read the Scriptures that explain what should happen in the lives of those we evangelize. In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), Jesus clearly indicates that we are to teach new believers “to observe all that I commanded you.”1 Teaching and development need to occur after evangelism. Colossians is replete with the apostle Paul”s desire for the believer”s maturity. Paul writes, “We proclaim

June 22, 2008

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Leadership Eldership

What Is an Elder”s Most Important Job?

By Arron Chambers Who is an elder supposed to be? The Bible makes it clear Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God”s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall