Lending With the Promise of Repayment Written by George Hart, retired GCI pastor My first memories of Lent are not particularly positive, but not necessarily negative—more indifferent. I remember when I was six years old, in the first grade, and the Lenten season approached. I was given a Lenten coin folder, the type with slots … Continue reading "A New Look at Lent" Read the article
The Value of Life-on-Life Mentoring Written by Anthony Mullins, National Coordinator for pastoral residents. interns and coaching. Have you ever had a parent, teacher, coach, pastor or mentor tell you something you did not want to hear, but you knew you needed to hear? I mean the kind of words that hit you like a … Continue reading "Being Called Up" Read the article
This article is written by Randy Bloom, US Regional Director In the early years of my ministry I was mentored within an omni-competent pastoral leadership culture. You know the drill: the pastor had all the answers—how to run a youth ministry, how to minister to the elderly, how to reach out to the community, how … Continue reading "REAL Teams" Read the article
This article is written by Tim Sitterley, GCI Regional Director “Team-based pastor-led is how I want to lead,” one pastor shared, “but I don’t have a good record choosing the best leaders for the congregation.” Her statement reminded me of a telling scene in the 1990 movie “Crazy People.” When his coworkers start believing that … Continue reading "Leadership FATE" Read the article
The Call to Engage, Equip, Empower and Encourage By Heber Ticas, GCI pastor and Superintendent of Latin America It was a daunting Sunday afternoon. My wife and I were exhausted from the demands and responsibilities of a growing congregation. As a bi-vocational pastor with a demanding “tent-building” job, it was tough to find time to … Continue reading "Leading Leaders" Read the article
Dear Pastors and Ministry Leaders, I’m pretty adept at self-preservation—building walls to protect myself. These walls often prevent me from disclosing too much, from entering deeper relationships, from bringing challenge to others, from succeeding in certain areas because of fear, anxiety or trying to prove something. And I’m not alone. Prior to studying for my … Continue reading "Pastoral Self Preservation" Read the article
Brochures and postcards are effective ways for congregations to make their presence known in the community and connect with visitors. Below are two GCI-branded templates for postcards, and two for brochures. Click on each image to download a template and instructions for use. To download GCI’s standard type font (GCI), click here. Postcard #1: Postcard … Continue reading "Congregational Brochure and Postcard" Read the article
Sermon for February 24, 2019 Watch Listen Download/Subscribe Watch on YouTube Program Transcript + Discussion Watch video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0K5o3P7N-k Program Transcript Readings: Gen. 45:3-11, 15; Ps. 37:1-11, 39-40; 1 Cor. 15:15, 35-38, 42-50; Luke 6:27-38. The theme this week is Christ Turns Things Around. In Genesis, Joseph assures his brothers that what they meant for … Continue reading "Sermon for February 24, 2019" Read the article
Dear Pastors and Ministry Leaders: What is it like to be on the other side of you? I’ll never forget the first time I heard that question from a leadership consultant. He used the illustration of broccoli in your teeth—everyone else knows it’s there, but you don’t see it until you look in the mirror. … Continue reading "Healthy Church Begins with Healthy Leadership" Read the article
Sermon for February 17, 2019 Watch Listen Download/Subscribe Watch on YouTube Program Transcript + Discussion Watch video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BQcwGWZW2A Program Transcript Readings: Jer. 17:5-10; Ps. 1:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26. The theme this week is Blessed by Knowing Christ. Jeremiah 17 declares that our blessings come from knowing and trusting Christ. 1 Corinthians 15 … Continue reading "Sermon for February 17, 2019" Read the article
