Articles for tag: Small Group Leadership

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,

August 25, 2010

Christian Standard

Devotionals

Life in All Its Fullness

By Michael Mack This is a sidebar to “A Heart for God“ ____ Life to the full, the abundant life, more and better life than you”veÂ ever dreamed of. You cannot lead a person, small group, or church toÂ experience the fullness of God”s love and grace unless you are living it yourself. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus presents three ways to respond to his offer of abundant life: 1. Come to me . . . and I will give you rest. Life to the full comes only through Jesus. Your response to him is to seek God and stay connected to him.

April 11, 2010

Christian Standard

Book Reviews Reviews

FROM MY BOOKSHELF: Focusing on Grace

By LeRoy Lawson Murray Hollis,Â Preacher, You”ve Got Friends (Joplin: Christian Friends Connexion, 2009). Jack Cottrell,Â Set Free! What the Bible Says About Grace (Joplin: College Press, 2009). Michael C. Mack,Â Burnout-free Small Group Leadership (Houston: Touch Publications, 2009). Roger Parrott,Â The Longview: Lasting Strategies for Rising Leaders (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2009). Murray Hollis has done Christian church ministers a real favor. HisÂ Preacher, You”ve Got Friends compiles 25 stories by “battle-tested Christian leaders” whose personal experiences “will fortify your faith and build your determination to face your next trial or challenge.” I know most of the writers; I even knew some of

August 3, 2008

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Leadership Development

Questions for Servant-Leaders

By Mark Wesner Editor”s note: The following questions were distributed as a self-examination exercise at an elders and staff retreat sponsored by First Christian Church, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. We believe they”re good for servant-leaders everywhere to consider. Spiritual Growth. In what way(s) are you more like Jesus today than you were one year ago? “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness,

June 8, 2008

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Small Groups

Good to Great Groups

By Michael C. Mack READ THE SIDEBAR: “God’s Word on Great Shepherds” READ THE SIDEBAR: “Great Small Groups Need Shepherds” Good small groups are the enemy of great small groups. Jim Collins opens Good to Great (HarperCollins, 2001) with similar words: “Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great.” God promises to make us into something great (i.e., Genesis 12:2). Yet countless small groups settle for good. They acquiesce to ordinary and adequate rather than pursuing an abundant, transformational ministry. In his book The Relational Way,