Articles for tag: Michael Mack

November 5, 2010

ByÂ Michael Mack How many people can you effectively lead, shepherd, and disciple? Eight? Ten? Twelve? Twenty? Let me ask the question another way: If you are to bear much fruit, fruit that will last . . . if youÂ are to see true transformation of people”s lives . . . if you are to see people develop into leaders so that you are multiplying your leadership . . . into how many people can you invest your life? Jesus formed a small group that would eventually change the world. But first, he called two sets of brothers: Simon Peter and Andrew,

November 4, 2010

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Small Groups

Seven Hallmarks of a Healthy Small Group

ByÂ Michael Mack What makes a small group healthy? At Northeast Christian Church, we define small group health by seven biblical values and evaluate all groups annually to see how they are doing. Note that the first four deal with how a group is focused and organized, and the last three deal with what they do. 1. Christ-centered: Jesus is the real group leader. Groups meet in his presence and power and for his purposes. (Matthew 18:20) 2. Healthy, growing leaders: The small group leader is growing in his or her faith by being involved in daily disciplines such as Bible

August 25, 2010

Christian Standard

Devotionals

A Heart for God

By Michael Mack Read Michael Mack”s sidebar, “Life in All Its Fullness.” ______ What do you want to be known for? What would you want people to say about you when you die? What do you want written in your obituary? At different stages of my life I would have responded to that question differently. But today, I want to be like Enoch. You don”t hear too many people say that, do you? People will say they want to have the faith of Abraham or the power of Moses or the wisdom of Solomon. But Enoch? I love what Genesis

June 18, 2008

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Leadership Eldership

Shepherding: A Bigger Task Than Most Are Accomplishing

By Mark A. Taylor What is the elder”s most important job? Almost 300 elders answered that question for Arron Chambers (read his article), and more than three-fourths of them said shepherding. But in the two hours or so per week most of these elders give to elder duties, they spend less than half that time actually shepherding. In fact, almost a third of those surveyed say they spend less than one-quarter of their time (that”s 30 minutes for most of them) doing the task they”ve agreed is most important. Yet Knofel Staton concluded, in the Bible study he wrote for

June 8, 2008

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Leadership Eldership

God’s Word on Great Shepherds

By Michael C. Mack READ THE MAIN ARTICLE: “Good to Great Groups” READ THE SIDEBAR: “Great Small Groups Need Shepherds” God”s Word is rich in its discussion about shepherding. Here are just a few passages that describe the great shepherd-leader”s role. “Be shepherds of God”s flock that is under your care” (1 Peter 5:2). The apostle Peter addressed his appeal to elders in the first-century church. These leaders were called to shepherd the groups in a particular city or churches that met in specific homes. This passage also applies to what small group leaders are called to do in today”s

June 8, 2008

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Small Groups

Great Small Groups Need Shepherds

By Michael C. Mack READ THE MAIN ARTICLE: “Good to Great Groups” READ THE SIDEBAR: “God’s Word on Great Shepherds” Â Â Great small groups require great leaders, and great small group leaders are shepherds””spiritual guides for the group God has entrusted to their care. But not everyone believes that. To get more people into small groups, some churches are launching hundreds of groups at a time with “facilitators” or “hosts” rather than shepherd-leaders. An attitude of “anyone will do” prevails today when looking for people to start new groups. Some churches use slogans such as “If you have a