Articles for tag: Covenant Groups

January 1, 2024

Christian Standard

The Best Investment I’ve Ever Made

Experiencing Growth and Community in a Covenant Group  By Chad Goucher  In my life, I have made some good investments and some bad investments. Let me begin by telling you about one of the really bad ones.   I made what was perhaps my worst investment when I was in college. I took out a student loan and used the funds to purchase a membership at a local golf course. It’s the truth. I was in Bible college, and I obviously wasn’t majoring in finance. I loved golf and wasn’t fond of the classroom so—at the time—it made perfect sense to

January 1, 2024

Christian Standard

Soul Care Covenant Groups Explained

THIS IS A SIDEBAR TO CHAD GOUCHER’S ARTICLE, “THE BEST INVESTMENT I’VE EVER MADE.” _ _ _ By Alan Ahlgrim  What is Soul Care?   The model we follow at Covenant Connections for Pastors is typically 4-3-2-1: four leaders (and one experienced facilitator), meeting over three years, twice a year in retreat, and once a month by Zoom or phone calls.   This model allows honest, transparent, and even vulnerable sharing as relationships deepen through the consistent devotion of a disciplined community. The group is not out to “fix others” or even to hold others accountable; rather, the commitment to “be close”

September 1, 2022

Christian Standard

Allies

Allies

By Renee Little with Marshall Mead and Daryl Reed   I sit through long meetings to review and approve loans twice each month. We review financials, discuss property location and value, and debate ratios of risk in order to decide whether to approve funding. As a lending institution, due diligence is required, but as lovers of Jesus, we have an even larger responsibility to review and discuss doctrine, leadership, and church direction. We are more than a lender; we are, in fact, a ministry partner. Our mission is to honor God, and the best way to honor him is not just

May 22, 2019

Christian Standard

Vested in Our Leaders: Center for Church Leadership

Vested in Our Leaders: The Center for Church Leadership By Alan Ahlgrim  Many pastors lead growing ministries and have hundreds or even thousands of social media friends, yet they have no one other than their wife who really understands them and is truly devoted to them. A recent survey found that less than 25 percent of Christian men have a close male friend; for pastors the percentage is even smaller: less than 5 percent. The isolated leader is a vulnerable leader!Isolation is the devil’s tool to discourage and dishearten those in vital roles.We all are weak and vulnerable at times.

October 16, 2005

Mike Cope

Who Would Hide Me

Who Would Hide Me?

What does true biblical community look like? Mike Cope reflects on spiritual friendship, Larry Crabb’s vision of the church as a safe place, and practical steps toward deeper, Christ-centered connection.

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