In order for a congregation to participate actively in what Christ is doing in the community where it meets, it must get to know that community well. There are multiple ways to do so with a particularly effective one being the nine-step community assessment process detailed in the article below by GCI pastor Sam Butler … Continue reading "How to conduct a community assessment" Read the article
Below are links to inexpensive or free resources that address key aspects of congregational leadership. We don’t necessarily endorse the full content of each one, but all of them provide helpful food for thought and discussion. Discerning God’s Will As a Group. This training pack from Building Church Leaders teaches ways for a leadership group to … Continue reading "Team-based leadership resources" Read the article
This article is from Rick Shallenberger, a GCI-USA regional pastor and a contributing editor and feature writer for Equipper. This is part 2 of a series on Christian leadership. For other articles in the series, click a number: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Do you know what it’s like to be on the other side … Continue reading "On leadership: Know yourself to lead yourself" Read the article
This article is by Rick Shallenberger, who serves as a U.S. regional pastor and a contributing editor for GCI-USA publications. This is part 1 of a series on Christian leadership. For other articles in the series, click a number: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. In his letter this month, Greg Williams mentions CAD’s commitment to … Continue reading "On leadership: Commitment to high support-high challenge" Read the article
This article is from Michelle Fleming, who recently moved to Southern California from Florida to work as CAD’s communications and training coordinator. There is something about starting a new year that fills me with energy, excitement and hope. The flipping of the calendar from December 31 to January 1 is a built-in rhythm of renewal … Continue reading "Commitment to prayer" Read the article
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
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
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
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
As we participate with Christ in developing leaders in our congregations, it’s important that we give attention to their character, calling and competencies—all centered on Christ. In his article, A New Paradigm, Malcolm Webber points out how Jesus went about developing leaders in all three areas: He appointed twelve – designating them apostles – that they … Continue reading "Building the leaders around you" Read the article
