November 2008

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The secret to joy-filled giving

You may be surprised to discover that the gifts God wants you to give cannot be bought. Mary Southerland Have you started praying about the Christmas gifts you will give this year? I have to admit that I tend to plan, think, and worry about Christmas...

Published Wed, Nov 26 2008 12:44 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, The secret to joy-filled giving
Four keys to customizing your small group strategy

In the same way that you have a unique fingerprint, so does your church. You may have “borrowed” the mission statement from another church, but when you look under the hood you’re not the same. You are unique. You’re a custom combination of the passions...

Published Wed, Nov 26 2008 12:39 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Four keys to customizing your small group strategy
Connecting new believers into small groups

Jesus’ small group is a lesson in relations. So, in small groups for new believers, our number one goal is to build relationships, not teach religion. Stacey Woodhart My passion for serving new believers starts with my own journey. My mother was married...

Published Wed, Nov 26 2008 12:31 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Connecting new believers into small groups
Notes & Quotes -- G.B. Stern

“Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.” G.B. Stern

Published Wed, Nov 26 2008 11:57 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Notes & Quotes
Notes & Quotes -- E.J. Conrad

“One distinguishing mark of an unregenerate man is ingratitude.” E.J. Conrad

Published Wed, Nov 26 2008 11:57 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Notes & Quotes
Notes & Quotes -- U.S. President John F. Kennedy

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” U.S. President John F. Kennedy

Published Wed, Nov 26 2008 11:56 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Notes & Quotes
Notes & Quotes -- (Source: National Retail Federation Website)

The National Retail Federation expects a growth in holiday sales of 2.2 percent. That would be the lowest growth rate since 2002. The average growth rate over the past decade has been 4.4 percent. Still the NRF predicts holiday sales amounting to $470...

Published Wed, Nov 26 2008 11:56 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Notes & Quotes
Notes & Quotes -- Thomas Erskine

“In the New Testament, religion is grace and ethics is gratitude.” Thomas Erskine

Published Wed, Nov 26 2008 11:54 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Notes & Quotes
Bible Bytes -- 11/26/2008

"Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. That evening the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can...

Published Wed, Nov 26 2008 11:49 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Bible Bytes
Saddleback Sayings -- 11/26/2008

"Don’t be troubled by trouble. Circumstances cannot change the character of God." Rick Warren

Published Wed, Nov 26 2008 11:48 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Saddleback Sayings, Rick Warren
Feel: The Power of Listening to Your Heart, Matthew Elliott (Tyndale, 2008)

Most of us were taught that feelings can’t be trusted – intellectually and spiritually. In this book, Elliott argues just the opposite. He argues that God-given emotions have an important part to play in the life of a believer. Not only are emotions not...

Published Wed, Nov 26 2008 11:47 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Book Look
How small groups change everything (part one)

Lots of churches have small groups. But if truth be known, they’re usually more of an add-on than a churchwide priority, a little something extra for those who want to go deeper with God. While many church leaders claim that small groups are an integral...

Published Wed, Nov 26 2008 11:33 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Perspectives, How small groups change everything (part one)
Meeting people’s four deepest needs

Jesus told us that he came so that we would have “life to the fullest” (John 10:10). If that was Jesus’ goal while he was on earth, don’t you think that should be a goal of the church? Most people aren’t living life to the fullest. Sure, most people have...

Published Wed, Nov 26 2008 11:30 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Purpose-Driven Pastor, Meeting people’s four deepest needs
Issue #366:
Meeting people’s four deepest needs

Jesus came so that we would have “life to the fullest” (John 10:10). After salvation, a fulfilled life is one where four basic needs are met – and God has uniquely called the Body of Christ to meet them. In this issue, we’ll identify those four needs and how the church is best equipped to meet them.
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Published Wed, Nov 26 2008 12:00 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Issue Archives
Faith in the Shepherd

At that precise moment, I would have preferred a tangible sample of God’s provision. You know – something along the lines of a money tree in the back yard or an oil well in the front. Mary Southerland Can you believe the holidays are just around the corner...

Published Mon, Nov 17 2008 11:51 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Faith in the Shepherd