July 2009

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Issue #385: What’s holding your congregation back?

Many people in our churches aren’t living up to their full potential in Christ. They’re hanging onto worries, wounds, and wrongs that have plagued them for years. In this issue, we’ll see what the Bible says about overcoming struggles that keep people from fulfilling God’s purpose for their life.

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Published Wed, Jul 29 2009 12:44 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Issue Archives
The importance of “sandpaper people”

By Mary Southerland In order to prevent pride, we must be Kingdom-minded people. When we have tunnel vision, we are usually concerned only with what affects us. After all, it really is about us – right? What an easy and convenient way of thinking...

Published Wed, Jul 29 2009 12:41 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Mary Southerland
Ten thousand steps, ten thousand prayers

By Diana Davis My friend wears a pedometer to count the number of steps he takes. His healthy goal is to take ten thousand steps daily. Let’s suppose that each of us makes a goal to pray for people in our life’s path. We pray silently for...

Published Wed, Jul 29 2009 12:25 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Dian Davis
Mission is more than action

Instead of just pushing activism, the church today should be addressing the growth and maturity of those who know Christ. Brian Harper By Brian Harper This generation wants to make a difference locally and around the world. They want to do more than just...

Published Wed, Jul 29 2009 12:15 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Brian Harper
What’s holding your congregation back?

You have people sitting in your church every week who have been nursing wounds for years. They can’t let go. They’ll never reach their God-given potential and purpose for life until they let go of the past. Rick Warren By Rick Warren ...

Published Wed, Jul 29 2009 12:09 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Purpose Driven Pastor
Four questions that lead to godly character

By Steve Gladen Character is critical for you to last in ministry. As a leader, it’s extremely important that you are dialed in to Jesus. If you’re not, ministry will get old, it will get monotonous, and it will get frustrating. The more you...

Published Wed, Jul 29 2009 11:34 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Perspectives, Steve Gladen
Servolution

Dino Rizzo (Zondervan, 2009) In this book, Dino Rizzo gives you an inside look into what he calls a revolution taking place throughout the body of Christ today – “an army of people giving hope to a hurting world through practical, personal...

Published Wed, Jul 29 2009 11:24 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Book Look, servolution
Bible Bytes -- 7/29/2009

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts...

Published Wed, Jul 29 2009 11:21 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Bible Bytes
Saddleback Sayings -- 7/29/2009

“Plants need the right climate to grow and so do churches. The right climate for church growth is an atmosphere of acceptance and love.” - Rick Warren

Published Wed, Jul 29 2009 11:19 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Saddleback Sayings
Notes & Quotes -- 7/29/2009

Krispy Kreme produces enough donuts every week to line them up one after the other from New York City to Los Angeles. (Source: Knight-Ridder Newspapers) “Gifts from God are given freely – and strategically – and God expects us to handle...

Published Wed, Jul 29 2009 11:11 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Notes & Quotes
On the Links -- 7/29/2009

Church Leader Insights On this site, Pastor Nelson Searcy focuses on effective leadership, church growth, evangelism, and more. It’s full of great resources for church planters and others, including a free biweekly newsletter. Can your church handle...

Published Wed, Jul 29 2009 10:53 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: On the Links
Building a foundation for change – part two

Revealing your feeling is the beginning of healing Rick Warren By Rick Warren In the last issue of the Toolbox, I reminded you that true life change is way too rare in the Christian life. I've run into too many people who’ve been Christians...

Published Wed, Jul 22 2009 11:57 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Purpose Driven Pastor
Issue #384: Building a foundation for change – part two

If you want to see real life change in the people at your church, there are nine foundational truths you need to know. In this issue, we’ll look at six more building blocks for genuine spiritual growth and transformation in your church.

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Published Wed, Jul 22 2009 10:56 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Issue Archives
What’s in a name?

God wants to be on a first-name basis and wants us to come to him just as we are, in our weakness and incompleteness. Mary Southerland By Mary Southerland When I met Dan Southerland, I immediately liked him and wanted to know more about him. As we worked...

Published Wed, Jul 22 2009 10:49 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, family, Mary Southerland
Use it or lose it

We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) By Erik Rees When most of us reach our teens, a mechanism switches on inside us that causes us to respond...

Published Wed, Jul 22 2009 10:44 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Erik Rees