December 2005

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Issue #238:
Three things to remember this Christmas

At Saddleback Church, where I’ve been pastor for more than 25 years, holidays are a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus and reflect on God’s infinite love, which he pours into our lives. I'd like to share three principles that will help you experience this Christmas season to its fullest.
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Published Wed, Dec 21 2005 12:00 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Issue Archives
Notes & Quotes -- Peter Larson, Prism (Jan/Feb 2001)

"Despite our efforts to keep him out, God intrudes. The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: a virgin's womb and an empty tomb. Jesus entered our world through a door marked 'No Entrance' and left through a door marked 'No...

Published Mon, Dec 19 2005 1:21 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Notes & Quotes
Bible Bytes -- 12/16/2005

"Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus –'God saves'...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2005 12:31 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Bible Bytes
Ten Internet ‘best practices’ for e-ministry

Churches with a successful e-ministry train their audiences to go to the Web first for the most current information for the church. Terrell Sanders, president of Main Street Enterprises What makes a church Web site successful in the long term? What are...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2005 11:47 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Ten Internet ‘best practices’ for e-ministry
Effective discipleship program, modeling by pastor key to growing members

According to a 2005 LifeWay Christian Resources survey that [ranked the] ‘top 10 issues facing today’s Church,’ prayer in both personal and church life was the number one issue, followed by discipleship, or ‘the need for involvement of every believer...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2005 11:47 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Effective discipleship program, modeling by pastor
Five ways to encourage your youth pastor this Christmas

Take the time to know more than what is happening in the youth ministry. Challenge yourself to become more aware of your youth pastor’s personal lives and interests. Joshua Griffin, manager of Purpose Driven Youth Ministry I have been involved in youth...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2005 11:46 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Five ways to encourage your youth pastor this Chri
Homelessness teaches student about love in action

Under the Overpass Mike Yankoski’s life went from upper-middle class plush to scum-of-the-earth repulsive overnight – by his own choice. From the United States capital to San Diego, Yankoski and his traveling companion, Sam, journeyed as homeless men...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2005 11:45 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Homelessness teaches student about love in action
Building bridges to your community to help the poor

A congregation cannot hope to build loving relationships with the community, particularly those who are most needy and vulnerable, by sitting inside the four walls of the church. Ron Sider, author of Churches That Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2005 11:45 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Building bridges to your community to help the poo
Churches encouraged to ‘Call-A-Pastor’ in hurricane region

It may be enough to just say, ‘You’re not forgotten. We’re praying for you.’ After building that relationship, if you should decide to help further with work teams or supplies that is up to you. Dave Holden, pastor of Lake Gregory Community Church in...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2005 11:44 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Churches encouraged to ‘Call-A-Pastor’ in hurrican
Church planter uses PD principles to grow church to 350 in 10 months

Church planting can help keep our thinking fresh and relevant as we strategize with our church planters to help them reach new and emerging generations with the unchanging Gospel message. Ed Stetzer, author of Planting New Churches in a Postmodern Age...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2005 11:43 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Church planter uses PD principles to grow church t
Free Purpose Driven Church Planting Conference to be held in Florida

We have found within our coaching networks that if we can get a guy within a network, they will launch their church on average with 100 to 150 people on their start [date] as opposed to guys who started with 25 to 30 and subsequently has slower growth...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2005 11:43 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Free Purpose Driven Church Planting Conference to
Why established churches should plant new churches

Many churches are effectively reaching their focus groups, but right next to them are unreached people from other cultures and generations who may need a fresh expression of church in their own context. Ed Stetzer, author of Planting New Churches in a...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2005 11:42 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Why established churches should plant new churches
Starting purpose driven churches

Purpose Driven is not about seeker services. It is about evangelism. Purpose Driven is a process by which you bring people in through evangelism, raise them up through discipleship, train them for ministry, and send them out on mission to the glory of...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2005 11:41 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Perspectives, Starting purpose driven churches
Notes & Quotes -- Hallmark

"1.9 billion Christmas cards are sent to friends and loved ones every year, making Christmas the largest card-sending occasion in the United States. The second largest is Valentine’s Day, with approximately 192 million cards being given." Hallmark

Published Fri, Dec 16 2005 11:22 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Notes & Quotes
Notes & Quotes -- Walter Wangerin Jr., Preparing for Jesus

"So here comes Gabriel again, and what he says is 'Good tidings of great joy ... for all people.' ... That's why the shepherds are first: They represent all the nameless, all the working stiffs, the great wheeling population of the whole...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2005 9:06 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Notes & Quotes