Kid’s Korner this month is from GCI Equipper Editor Ted Johnston. We’ll soon begin a new cycle in the Western Christian worship year, which begins with Advent Season (the period that includes the four Sundays prior to Christmas day). This year, December 2 is the first Sunday in Advent, so now is the time to … Continue reading "Kids Korner: Teaching Kids About the Christian Year" Read the article
With Advent and the start of a new year of ministry (worship and witness) at hand, this issue helps us think about three key aspects of healthy church— worship liturgy, church leadership and worldview conversion. From Greg: Adjust Your Posture Greg Williams urges church leaders to embrace a vital aspect of Healthy Church—having a posture that is open … Continue reading "Preparing for a New Year of Ministry" Read the article
This article from Charles Fleming continues our series exploring Worldview Conversion and the related topic of Whole-Life Discipleship. For some people, a discussion about worldview seems rather academic and abstract—far removed from day-to-day life. But for those wanting to live a life that is transformed in Christ by the Spirit, few things are more central, … Continue reading "Worldview Conversion: Addressing Idolatry" Read the article
Last month we defined a healthy leadership team as a R.E.A.L. team—one that is relationally connected (R), enthusiastically engaged (E), affirming (A), and involving liberating leaders (L). The resources below are designed to help congregations develop R.E.A.L. teams in alignment with GCI’s healthy church vision. REAL Teams videos. The videos linked below address four defining and essential characteristics of a R.E.A.L. team. We … Continue reading "Healthy Church: R.E.A.L. Teams (part 2)" Read the article
Dear Congregational Leaders: I’m not easily disheartened by setbacks, and I thank Jesus for that gift. Recently, though, I was deeply impacted when one of our young pastoral couples left us. I’ll not share the details, but I want to note that the situation showed me a need our congregations have to adjust their posture (spirit, … Continue reading "From Greg: Adjust Your Posture" Read the article
Scripture Readings: 1 Sam. 1:4-20; Ps. 16; Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-8 Sermon by Ted Johnston (From Mark 13:1-37, drawing on commentary from New Bible Commentary and Bible Knowledge Commentary) The Little Apocalypse Introduction In our journey through the Gospel of Mark, we come to chapter 13, a passage often called “The Little Apocalypse.” Here Jesus … Continue reading "Sermon for November 18, 2018" Read the article
Scripture Readings: 1 Kings 17:8-16; Ps. 146; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44 Sermon by Ted Johnston (From Mark 12 and 1 Kings 17, drawing on insights from the New Bible Commentary and the Bible Knowledge Commentary) Two Lessons About Generosity Our Gospel and Old Testament readings today tell stories about generosity. Let’s begin with the one … Continue reading "Sermon for November 11, 2018" Read the article
Note on today’s liturgy: November 1 in the Western Christian liturgical calendar is All Saints Day—a day to remember and thank God for the lives of God’s people down the centuries who have faithfully witnessed to Christ, often at great cost. Today’s sermon picks up that theme, correcting a common misunderstanding concerning what a saint … Continue reading "Sermon for November 4, 2018" Read the article
Kid’s Korner this month is from Lance McKinnon. Have you ever heard someone say, “I love my kids to death!”? That statement is not meant literally. Instead, it’s our way of expressing a whole-life focused love. It’s the kind of love we see in Jesus, who went to the cross for the sake of bringing … Continue reading "Kids Korner: Loving Our Kids to Life!" Read the article
Scripture Readings: Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Ps. 34:1-8, 19-22; Heb. 7:223-28; Mark 10:46-52 Sermon by Sheila Graham (from Hebrews 7, Job 42, Mark 10 and Psalm 34, drawing from The Expositor's Bible Commentary) Marvelous and Wonderful! Introduction Remember the old hymn, My Savior’s Love? The refrain goes like this: O how marvelous! O how wonderful! And … Continue reading "Sermon for October 28, 2018" Read the article
