Equipper asked several pastors and ministry leaders around the world the question: What is your greatest challenge for healthy church? Answers were edited for space. It is our hope these answers might inspire discussion among your leadership teams. Our ageing congregations and scarcity of young adults and children.– Jackie Mills, UK The greatest challenge we … Continue reading "Healthy Church Challenges" Read the article
Grace Communion International president, Greg Williams, has set a goal for GCI churches to be the healthiest expression of church we can be. Equipper asked several pastors and ministry leaders around the world to define healthy church in a sentence or two. The responses were encouraging and perhaps a bit challenging. In order to include … Continue reading "What is a Healthy Church?" Read the article
Planting a seed may seem a simple act, yet it bears tremendous potential for growth and fruitfulness. By Cara Garrity, Development Coordinator, US Last month I suggested that we exchange transactional and utilitarian models of investment in emergent generations for transformative and disciple-making models. When I think of transformative and disciple-making investments I think of … Continue reading "Planting the Seeds: Practical Emergent Generation Investment" Read the article
Is the day and time we worship inclusive or exclusive? By Tim Sitterley, US Regional Director, West When Linda and I were planning our wedding forty-some years ago, I made the brilliant suggestion that we hold the ceremony at the base of the waterfall where we had one of our first dates. Sure, it was … Continue reading "Yes, the Day DOES Matter" Read the article
Because all are created in God’s image and for God’s glory, to view others as “less than” is to deny the truth of the special place humanity has in God’s creation. By Bill Hall, National Director, Canada The discovery of graves containing 215 bodies at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, BC, … Continue reading "No “Less Than” in God’s Economy" Read the article
Love, hope, and faith are more than just biblical words describing a church—they continually remind us why we pursue healthy church. By Jeff Broadnax, Regional Director, US East In a 2018 Speaking of Life video titled “Where there is no vision,” President Greg Williams declared, “The movement toward a shared vision galvanizes people; it gives … Continue reading "The Avenues: On the Road to WHY?" Read the article
A key characteristic of the Faith Avenue is cross-generational care. Within your church community you may be having conversations about investing in or pouring into young people. What do we mean by investing? By Cara Garrity, Development Coordinator When considering cross-generational care, it is important to first ask what good care looks like. It is … Continue reading "Emergent Generation Investment" Read the article
Churches are channels through which resources flow from Jesus to others via mission. By Randy Bloom, Board of Directors Vice Chair In Matthew 6:21, Jesus made the statement: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be.” I’d like to juxtapose this passage with a parable in Matthew 25:14-20 where we are told: “He … Continue reading "Congregations: Mission Outposts or Banks" Read the article
Christ’s love for us compels us to share our faith in him in our love for one another. By Rod Matthews, retired Mission Developer Your husband is in the hospital in critical condition after an accident at work. Will he survive? You have to get there fast. You jump in the car and take off, … Continue reading "The Greatest of Forces" Read the article
The Denominational Celebration is the perfect time for your local congregation to be encouraged, inspired, and challenged. Hosting a watch party is a great way to gather together and participate in the Celebration locally, reflecting and discerning the vision to which God has called your unique congregation. #gcichurchhacks Check out this month’s church hack in … Continue reading "GCI Celebration Watch Party" Read the article
