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Articles for Outreach & Missions

The One Sentence Pastors Hate To Hear

There is one sentence you should never say to your pastor or church staff. Even as the first few words are spoken, the listener feels his or her emotions plummeting.

Desiring God: How to Have Intimacy With God

Our experience of God’s nearness or distance is not a description of his actual proximity to us but of our experience of intimacy with him. This is as true in our relationship with God as it is in our relationships with other human beings.

5 Short-Timers Who Don’t Really Help Church Attendance

There are five types of individuals who are most likely to not stay very long. I’m afraid there is nothing in this article that will help you keep them. But perhaps, if you have advanced warning, their departure won’t hurt so much.

7 Key Steps of Recruiting, Training and Retaining Church Volunteers

In my experience, there are three parts (Recruit, Train, Retain) to this process, so I’ve included my 7 Steps of recruiting, training and retaining church volunteers.

What Does the Bible Say About Domestic Violence?

What does the Bible say about domestic abuse victims? Despite it being a reality within the church, we have largely remained silent on the abuse so embedded in our homes and neighborhoods.

100 Three-Word Posts for Online Outreach

To get your creative muscle amped, we’d like to get you thinking in even shorter bursts of truth for online outreach.

8 Signs You Love Legalism More Than Jesus

Legalism is adding anything to the gospel. Legalism in the church takes the words “Follow me” and adds stipulations, clauses and barriers. Find out the eight signs you love legalism more than Jesus.

Building a Great Church Usher Team

In the same way that not just anyone can be on the worship team, work in children’s ministry or lead a small group, not just anyone can be a church usher. The right gifts, passion, and ability make a big difference.

‘Evangelize’ Is in the Bible; ‘Evangelism’ Isn’t

The word evangelize is used 52 times and the word “evangelist” is used a few times as well, but the word “evangelism” is as absent as a loudmouth in a boot camp for mimes.

Sharing Jesus in the Muddy Water of Modern Culture

I have a few gripes with some of the methodology that is prevalent out there today when it comes to sharing Jesus. The biggest, of course, is that many are not clear on the gospel of grace. But,  I guess, muddy water is better than no water at all.

5 Ways Resilient Leaders Learn to Bounce Back

Consider these practical steps you can apply in your life and leadership to ‘bounce back’ more quickly, and join the ranks of resilient leaders.

Beyond Invite and Invest: A Better Plan for Outreach

The church plan for outreach used to be all about the invite. Everyone went to church whether they wanted to or not. It was a cultural expectation.

7 Eye-Opening Misunderstandings Younger Minds Have About Older Generations

I’m not “old” yet (at least in my opinion). Old enough to know there are some misunderstandings younger generations have about older generations.

Taking Stock of the State of Church Communications

I recently asked our Insiders community how they would describe the state of church communications. The results quickly affirmed what I'm sure we all already know

4 Things You Should Never Ever Do in Marriage

If you want to prevent unnecessary conflict in marriage, protect your spouse’s heart, and keep a solid foundation of trust, then please DON’T do these four things.

When Leaders Fall “They’re Only Human” Doesn’t Help Our Disillusionment

Some Christians have been trying their best to battle through the disillusionment that can often happen when people you trust are discovered to have a secret life.

Embracing The Gospel of Small

Isn’t he the God of all creation? Didn’t he speak the worlds by his words and part the Red Sea for Moses? Of course he did, and a good deal more. But then there's what I call the gospel of small.

Are You Filled With the Spirit?

What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? Do you ever wonder how to unleash the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in your life?

3 Key Church Leadership Failures

Today’s church leaders are often taught that “leadership is everything,” If that’s the case, then church leaders must be willing to step back and see these church leadership failures.

To Those With Depression at Christmastime

Depression is tough at the best of times. Perhaps it’s the best of times, such as holiday times, when it’s especially tough. The thought of mixing with happy people fills you with dread. The thought of remembering lost loved ones fills you with gloom. How can people be so happy when you are so sad?

17 LGBTQ-Affirming Ministers Face Church Investigations for Signing Belief Statement

The investigation by Indiana Ministries — a jurisdiction within the Anderson, Indiana-based Church of God movement — could result in the withdrawal of the ministers’ credentials.

Andy Bannister: How Pastors and Churches Can Stop Living as ‘Undercover...

Dr. Andy Bannister joins “The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast” to talk about how pastors and church members can share their faith boldly, strategically, and without fear.

Articles for Outreach & Missions