Equipped for a journey of renewal

The December Equipper (with the five articles linked below) focuses on helping us understand and live into the renewal the Spirit continues to grant our fellowship. From Greg: Our renewal continues Greg Williams sets the GCI-USA theme for 2017, anticipating how the Spirit will continue to renew our fellowship in multiple ways. GCI’s educational strategy for … Continue reading "Equipped for a journey of renewal" Read the article

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Kid’s Korner: Renew your ministry to children

In congregations blessed with children, the transition into the new year is a good time to give careful thought to what might be done to renew their ministries to children. Here are two articles that provide assistance. An Introduction to Children’s Ministry.  This article from GCI provides a comprehensive plan for organizing a children’s ministry. … Continue reading "Kid’s Korner: Renew your ministry to children" Read the article

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From Greg: Our renewal continues

Dear minister of Christ, I hope you enjoyed the theme of Renewal at our 2016 US Regional Conferences. We heard inspiring accounts of how the Holy Spirit is renewing us—opening minds and hearts to become more missional in thought and action. It’s thrilling to see him transforming us into congregations willing to go “outside the walls” … Continue reading "From Greg: Our renewal continues" Read the article

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Sermon Summary: A renewed understanding of discipleship

One of the areas where the Spirit is renewing GCI’s understanding and ministry practice is that of discipleship. We see him leading us to embrace an approach to discipling others (disciple-making) that emphasizes the hope and healing that is ours because of Jesus’ faithfulness, not our own. This approach is helpfully examined by Wesley Hill in a … Continue reading "Sermon Summary: A renewed understanding of discipleship" Read the article

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A renewed understanding of evangelism

What difference does GCI’s Incarnational, Trinitarian vision make in everyday ministry? Josh McDonald, associate pastor of GCI’s congregation in Indianapolis, Indiana, tells how it renewed his understanding of evangelism. In the mid ’90s, I did two years’ time at a fundamentalist Christian college. Among my studies (along with a parade of Christian rock concerts), was … Continue reading "A renewed understanding of evangelism" Read the article

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GCI’s educational strategy for renewal

This article is from Dr. Greg Williams, director of GCI-USA Church Administration and Development and a faculty member at Grace Communion Seminary. For a related article in GCI Weekly Update, click here. When it comes to the church and its ministry, GCI is firmly committed to having strategies, plans and actions that flow within the … Continue reading "GCI’s educational strategy for renewal" Read the article

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Use Christmas for outreach

In this article, Heber Ticas, CMM’s National Coordinator, discusses how the congregation he pastors uses the Christmas season as a prime opportunity to reach out to unchurched people in the area served by his church. The congregation I pastor in Southern California, Comunion De Gracia, is constantly looking for ways to live out a “missional … Continue reading "Use Christmas for outreach" Read the article

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From Greg: Humanizing humanity

Dear fellow ministers of Christ, In my many travels with Delta Air Lines I often read Delta’s Sky magazine (typically doing the crossword puzzle first in an attempt to exercise my mind!). On a recent flight, a particular article caught my attention. It highlighted the movie Born to Be Blue, in which actor Ethan Hawke portrays fabled blues … Continue reading "From Greg: Humanizing humanity" Read the article

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Kid’s Korner: Use Christmas to teach kids about Christ

Childrens mininstries have the responsibility (and wonderful opportunity) to teach children about God and his love. This teaching is offered in many ways and at various times. A significant “teachable moment” arrives each December in the Christmas season. Though we may (understandably) object to the commercialism associated with this season, we can take advantage of … Continue reading "Kid’s Korner: Use Christmas to teach kids about Christ" Read the article

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Advent-Christmas celebration resources

In the Western-Christian tradition, Advent and Christmas celebrate the coming (advent) of Jesus Christ into the world. Advent-themed worship services are held on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas (in 2017 the first Sunday of Advent is November 27). Advent celebrations often follow the progressive themes of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace (sometimes in … Continue reading "Advent-Christmas celebration resources" Read the article

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