November 6, 2025
To focus outward means that the church’s primary concern is the people outside its walls and influence. It means that the church’s assets—its money, its talent, its time, and its facility—are focused toward reaching into that group.
Still healthy, somewhat effective, and obedient to a fault, many churches have lost the passionate vision they once had. Vision has been replaced by tradition, and passion by obedient maintenance.
People need to experience purpose in their relationship with Christ and effective leaders must set goals that reflect their vision for the church in creating that purpose.
July 22, 2024
By Sandy Mayle You may have watched a parade, a horse race, or a team of draft horses, and noticed that some of the horses wore little cups around the outside of their eyes. These are called blinders, and they limit what the horses see so that they’ll stay focused on what’s in front of them. Blinders block the horses’ peripheral vision so they aren’t spooked by waving flags, crowds of people, or other horses who meet them. Instead, they focus on what their driver or rider is asking them to do. Without blinders, some horses can become anxious or
May 10, 2020
(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for May 17, 2020: “His Beloved Ones.” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. What “win” stories from this past week do you have about living out godliness? 2. What were your biggest challenges last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to each read Deuteronomy 30:4-6 in turn (possibly from different Bible versions) and then ask the group what they observe in the passage. What captured their attention? Then ask the same two readers to
February 16, 2018
By Jerry Harris Whether it happens intentionally or accidentally, every church fashions a product that is more effective with at least one subset of people. Every church has a target. It may not be a deliberate target, as traditions tend to take on lives of their own, but it’s there just the same. Consider the style of your music and worship. Who is attracted to it? Scan the church budget. Who gets the most money? Study the use of the building. Who gets the most space? Assess the style of the building and its furniture. Is it antique? Do the
November 28, 2017
By Emily Drayne Sandra Ward has an amazing heart. She saw children wearing next to nothing, found a simple tie dress, and thought, Hey, I can make that myself! With that, she founded Sew to Sow. Based out of Kernersville, North Carolina, and affiliated with First Christian, Kernersville, this ministry provides handmade outfits for children sizes 16 and under. The first batch of outfits was sent to Brazil in 2013, and the dressmaking has continued since then. I had the privilege of spending an afternoon with this group and I was impressed by the quality of the outfits, their love
By Jim Tune In his acclaimed book Why Smart Executives Fail, Sydney Finkelstein describes a fictional situation about a meticulously planned military operation. In his scenario, a special forces unit moves in with devastating efficiency and successfully accomplishes every objective; the forces kill or capture everyone in the base they were attacking. The unit suffered very few casualties. There was only one problem. The target they had attacked and captured belonged to friendly forces. Central command launched a massive investigation to figure out what went wrong. Several missteps were eventually identified. Operational protocols were reviewed, changed, and corrected. The only
October 20, 2015
By Mark A. Taylor Big ideas. Bold initiatives. Novel thoughts and new approaches. Replacement strategies and structures and processes to eliminate the out-of-date. Change. Growth. These are the fruits produced by all good leaders, right? Maybe. It”s certainly true we hear all of these described in leadership seminars and discussed among many ministers and their advisers. But lately it has dawned on me that what some see as leadership is really entrepreneurship. And they are not the same. The entrepreneur is, at least at first, a lone ranger. He (or she) pushes forward compelled by a new idea or a
July 24, 2015
We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Jordan Rice, lead pastor, Renaissance Church, New York, New York. ________ Timothy Keller“s “God Loves Cities” changed my life. In this talk, he offered a compelling, clear picture of the unique opportunity churches have to affect more people than ever by patiently and consistently engaging cities. Instead of demonizing the city for all of its ills, he offered a picture from
May 8, 2015
By Jennifer Johnson When Greg Matney talked with Ajai Lall about the biggest ministry needs at Central India Christian Mission, Lall, director and CEO of CICM, mentioned his desire for their newly trained church planters and pastors to be more financially independent. The idea struck a chord with Greg, who had previously worked with Business as Mission initiatives, and his wife Abhineeta (Ajai”s daughter), who had gone to law school in India. In 2011 they held an advocacy and empowerment conference for 500 local leaders, and in 2012 they began offering a variety of vocational training opportunities to help pastors
January 28, 2015
By Jim Tune I”ve heard the axiom “Love everyone, but move with the movers!” shared by speakers at leadership conferences. There”s truth in this counsel. I”ve had to encourage people to find another church when they became obtusely stuck on some element of vision or direction. At some point, I”ve had to weigh the value of giving disproportionate amounts of energy to people who refuse to change or compromise. So yeah, there”s some wisdom in moving with the movers. That said, I”m not entirely comfortable with this approach. Sometimes in order to truly love someone like Jesus did, you just
August 14, 2014
By Michael C. Mack Acts 20 contains 21 character traits of the apostle Paul. Look over this list, and then take time to assess yourself as a leader. Which three to five of these are you doing well? Now, identify three to five traits missing or in short supply with you. Huddle up with a few other leaders and share what you’ve discovered. Paul’s character traits: 1. Humility (v. 19). 2. Possessing a Servant’s heart (v. 19). 3. Integrity. Never hesitated to preach the Word, no matter what the consequences (v. 20). 4. Committed. Devoted to teaching God’s Word regardless
July 5, 2013
DARON EARLEWINE Pub Theology, Indianapolis, Indiana Daron Earlewine is a remarkable voice in the arena of Christian witness outside the walls of the church. His ministry is called Pub Theology. The very name of his style of gospel presentation is challenging to most all the church people of my age, that being almost 80. His heart was challenged by observing 20- and 30-year-olds in Bosnia who were seeking fellowship and Jesus in a nonformalized setting. Daron has a fertile mind, a free spirit, and an absolute commitment to preaching the gospel. He is and will continue to have a positive influence on
March 2, 2008
By LeRoy Lawson It happens too often. Some minister, usually still fairly inexperienced, leaves the ministry because of certain elders he has worked with. My story is just the opposite. I have survived a lifetime as a pastor for the same reason””certain elders I have worked with. My appreciation for some very influential elders begins each day even before I leave home. I look at them on the wall of my study, in my ordination picture. I am there in the middle of them, a slight, kneeling, nervous youth. They are laying their hands on me as a sacred act
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April 28, 2026
Rick Cherok
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David Faust
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Rick Cherok