My pastor friend, Mike Barnes, recently attended a public city gathering in the spirit of meeting new people from the community. The event began with an ice-breaking activity as a mixer. Everyone got a piece of paper taped to his or her back with the name of a specific people-group category. The participants were then […]
Continue readingMore TagMissional Doctorate Anyone?
If you, or someone you know, are ready to take a higher education step in the area of church growth expansion, please consider the attached flyer. (Don’t hesitate to forward it on!) This is the program of my doctorate. I loved the connection with the cohort, the class material, and most of all, the extended […]
Continue readingMore TagGod’s Withholdings
When the months of searching for a full-time job turned into years, oddly, we settled into feeling displaced. Uncertainty about your future is not a comfortable place to be, especially when it extends over time. Some of you know my story. Anyone who reads Soul Whisperer will get an insider’s look at my journey into […]
Continue readingMore TagReunion Worthy?
Been to a reunion lately? Designing a discipling path at Sandals Church, I had a light bulb moment regarding this notion, which I have deemed valuable. Trust me here. Making media history, the television show Lost became a cultural phenomenon, with a gigantic following boarding a plane to nowhere, or somewhere—it’s still hard to know […]
Continue readingMore TagWho We Need to Become
One of the things I take pride in—is my attempt to take the evangelism conversation to a much deeper place. I have often said that Soul Whisperer is in actuality a book on discipleship. By interpreting Christ’s mission skills, it addresses “who” we need to become as influencers. For the relevance, see if you can […]
Continue readingMore TagLaunch Point: Moving Small Groups into Mission
Of the four Missional Engagement Series books, the largest orders have occurred with this one. Though I think each piece has equal merit for expanding influence, this vehicle has struck a chord with church leaders wanting their groups to lovingly bless and reach their neighborhoods. Being relationally glued, almost every church has small groups. Being […]
Continue readingMore TagSoul Whisperer: Empower Your People to Reach More!
Losing in the fourth quarter and facing a fourth down at midfield, a pivotal moment occurred in the Long Beach State vs. UNLV championship game. Head coach, Dave Curry, pulls me alongside to give very precise instructions: “If the corner is rolled up outside the wide-out, punt. But if he is playing straight up, the […]
Continue readingMore TagReach Wider: By Offering an Exploratory Process
A sad broad-stroked truth about Christians is that we underestimate what’s involved in the non-believer’s journey. We like everything short, simple and sweet. And when it comes to our role as messengers, we have been exhorted to “tell” the gospel, not to get into their shoes. Book after book, pastor after pastor, have declared that […]
Continue readingMore TagThe Missional Engagement Series – Design
Reflected in the hub design, the four-book Missional Engagement Series is not one-dimensional or linear, but rather, a holistic layout. Two concepts are critical. First, mission is taught in every stage. Never considered optional or ancillary, being a disciple is about being “on mission” for Jesus. Second, the design develops key discipleship values progressively as […]
Continue readingMore TagComing Back to Life!
2013 ended in a good but surprising way. When I came back from my missions trip, I turned in manuscripts for a four-book series, thinking that it would be likely another six months before hearing back from my publisher (That is a typical waiting time for reaching what publishers call: “The cue.”). But a month […]
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