by Stan Rodda: Many followers of Jesus have heard at some point in their life about something called the Great Commission. This command of Jesus is among the final sentences He would share with His disciples on this earth.

If I asked you, “What is the Great Commission,” I imagine you would start by saying, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” And there is so much truth in that. Making disciples of all nations is the mission disciples of Jesus are commanded to live out. Yet, it’s not where the commission of Jesus begins, nor is it the foundation. The foundation of the Great Commission is given before Jesus tells us to “make disciples.”

Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. [Matthew 28:18 CSB]

I have no authority.

You have no authority.

The church has no authority.

The world has no authority.

If we are going to change the world by making disciples of all ethnic groups on the planet, we must first begin by surrendering to the One with all authority in the entire universe. Jesus is the King. He was given all the authority in heaven and earth by the Father. Changing the world begins with absolute surrender to the cross of Jesus

The Cross of Salvation

We all begin at the same place: we are sinners in desperate need of a Savior. When we come to that realization we are all called to say “Yes” to Jesus and surrender to His atoning work on the cross. The work of Jesus on the cross is all sufficient to save.

Yet sometimes we give our lives to Jesus and we don’t experience everything we thought the pastor promised. Where is the joy, meaning and purpose you said I would have if I was baptized? Why haven’t all my problems gone away? Why is my husband/wife not acting better yet?

Sometimes we get stuck in what’s known as the land between two crosses. The issue is not that Jesus saving work on the cross wasn’t enough. The issue is 100% my level of surrender to picking up the second cross.

Before you label me a heretic talking about the need for two crosses, note Jesus identified the second cross first.

Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after  me, let him deny himself,  take up his cross daily,  and follow me. [Luke 9:23 CSB]

Change and transformation begins to take place in my life when I pick up my own cross…

The Cross of Surrender

In order to take greater steps of surrender and experience change in my own life, there are four things I must do to pick up my own cross.

Pray – Psalm 139:23, 24

We pray and ask God to reveal to us anything wicked that might be getting in the way. Father reveal to us anything that might offend you. Then spend time listening for God to reveal areas of your heart that need to surrender more.

Recognize/Acknowledge – 1 John 1:8, 9

When God reveals areas of my life that need more surrender, I must recognize and acknowledge it. I can no longer act as if hiding sin in the corner of my heart is going to be good enough. I will remain stagnant as long as I am not surrendering more fully to King Jesus.

Decide – Romans 12:1, 2

The trouble with a living sacrifice is we have a tendency to get up and walk off the altar. Change happens in me when I’m aware of what God is calling me to change, I admit that it is sin and I get back up on the altar to live out greater levels of surrender and obedience.

Kill the Root – Luke 9:23

Whatever that thing is I just climbed back up on the altar for (addiction, immorality, pride, sins of the flesh, etc), I must kill the root of that sin. The concept is that I want my heart to beat in alignment with God’s. I want to hate the sin God hates, love what God loves and share what God is doing in my life with people who don’t know Him yet.

This is how we move out of the land between two crosses and begin to experience transformation in our lives as disciples of Jesus.

Watch the Two Crosses training video below.

Change Starts Here Sermon

Two Crosses Graphic

Source: Change Begins with Absolute Surrender to King Jesus and His Mission!

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by Replicate: The discipline of scripture memory has become, without a doubt, the most significant of the disciplines in my life. God has used scripture memory to not only bring about change and transformation in my life, but has used it to challenge and encouraged other believers. As we consider this discipline I want to share my story and attempt to answer several commonly asked questions about the discipline.

In the summer of 1972, I had an encounter with the Risen Christ that totally rocked my world and radically changed my life. I was delivered from the bondage of sin and given new life through the Gospel.

One thing I remember vividly was that I had an insatiable desire for the word of God. I loved to hear it taught and preached and I read the scriptures every day, sometimes for hours. I was amazed and enlightened by the word of God. The Word became my spiritual food.

After settling into a church, our Youth Pastor challenged me to “hide the word of God in my heart”. I accepted the challenge and began, as a new believer, to memorize scripture. That initiated a lifelong discipline that God has used profoundly in my life.

When I got to LSU for college, I began to meet with some guys in the dorms to pray, study, and memorize scripture, to hold one another accountable and encourage one another. I have been meeting in D-groups ever since, disciplining, loving, challenging and encouraging others for Christ’s sake.

What Do We Mean by Scripture Memory?

Scripture Memory has been classified by Donald Whitney as “a sub discipline” of Bible intake. Scripture Memory, according to Whitney is “storing the scripture in the mind.”

It is committing God’s word to memory so that it can be recalled and put to use.

You would search in vain to find a verse in the Bible that actually explicitly command one to memorize scripture, However, there are several texts that seem to imply the discipline.

These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. (Deuteronomy 6:6, CSB)

Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Colossians 3:16, CSB)

I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11, CSB)

This blog is from our partner Replicate. Sign up here to get updates sent to your inbox about ministries like theirs so you can grow as a disciple maker.

Why Should We Memorize Scripture?

There are many reasons why you should memorize scripture. Here are just a few.

To share a “word fitly spoken”

A word fitly spoken is as apples of gold in the setting of silver. (Proverbs 25:11 NKJV)

We have countless opportunities to share a word of encouragement or witness with others. When we have the Word committed to memory we can share as we are prompted by the Holy Spirit.

But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. (1 Peter 3:15, CSB)

To overcome temptation or discouragement

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word. I have sought you with all my heart; don’t let me wander from your commands. I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. (Psalm 119:9-11, CSB)

When faced with temptation the Lord Jesus responded by saying “It is written.” We too must wield the “sword of the spirit” when we battle against our enemies.

In addition to temptation, we all face discouragement. One tactic of the enemy is to try to get us to dwell on those things that are not profitable. We must meditate on God’s truth.

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8, CSB)

To renew your mind

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2, CSB)

Our minds are renewed by the Word of God. One wonderful way to renew your mind and embrace God’s truth is to memorize and meditate on the Word.

How to Memorize Scripture

This is the step by step process that I have used for years.

Step 1– The first step to memorizing scripture is to find a verse that you find particularly helpful and that you would like to know by heart.

Step 2– Write this verse down in a journal designated for verses that you intend to memorize and begin to meditate on the verse as you are writing it.

Step 3– Then write that same verse on a flash card with the reference (i.e. John 1:12) on one side and the verse (i.e. “But to all who did receive him…”).

Step 4– Begin memorizing this verse, starting with the first phrase. After you’ve memorized the first phrase, build on it by memorizing the second phrase. Continue this process until you have memorized the entire verse word-perfect.

Step 5– After you have memorized the entire verse word-perfect, recite the verse to yourself at least 20 times without looking.

Step 6– Finally, and this is absolutely crucial to Scripture memory, you must review the verse daily. Set aside time each day to work on reviewing the verses you have memorized.

There are also a variety of tools available to you to help you, including apps for your smartphone or tablet. One popular one would be Fighter Verses which has apps for both Apple or Android smartphones. There are many ways to memorize scripture, the most important thing is to find one that works well for you and do it.

Originally posted on Replicate’s blog here. Used by permission.

The post Scripture Memory appeared first on Discipleship.org.

Source: Scripture Memory

The post Scripture Memory appeared first on Passion for Planting.

by Stan Rodda: When it comes to apologetics, defending our faith in Christ, there is one very popular verse that many of us know. You probably are already quoting it in your mind. You’ve already jumped to 1 Peter 3 in your head and you’re repeating it on auto pilot in your favorite translation.

But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. [1 Peter 3:15 CSB]

Yep, that’s the one. For the majority of my life, this verse has been cited to mean…

Stay up on your apologetics, daily meditating at Ravi Zacharias’ feet.

Be ready to argue down anyone who dares question a 6000 year old earth

Know your carbon 14 dating stuff so you can shut down anyone who questions you

If you aren’t completely up to date on archaeological research and how it supports Scripture, you’re done for, you’re barely even a Christian anymore

To me this approach has always come across as confrontational. We are preparing Christians to debate and argue with anyone at any time. I’m seeing the remnants of this now on Facebook and other social platform feeds. Do you see it? Christians in an online world in a rage, defending the faith against all enemies both foreign and domestic, screaming evidences for young earth in ALL CAPS, the flood actually happened and if you question it, good luck in hell. And now our sermons have shifted, begging believers to stop doing the very thing we have prepared them to do because of the damage it is causing.

I believe it’s time to rethink 1 Peter 3:15 when it comes to disciple making. Let’s do that by looking at two stories; the personal stories of Chris and Tyler.

Stop Arguing People to Jesus

Chris (not his real name) came to me around a year ago, confessing his frustration with trying to reach his co-workers for Christ. He shared many of their conversations and many ended up in heated debates over who had the best argument for any given topic surrounding apologetics.

He was upset at the lack of results. We talked multiple times for many hours. Eventually it hit him, “I can’t argue someone to Jesus.” Nope, that’s not going to work. At least not at a rapid enough rate to make a dent in the current cultural tsunami headed away from Jesus. We have to do this differently.

Tyler (not his real name) is an environmentalist, evolution believing, democrat voting, self-identified “none.” He and I started having faith conversations around six months ago. As he explored, he immediately jumped to the common questions. “Well, if I talk to you about this, am I going to have to change my beliefs about evolutions? And what about how I vote? I have deep convictions about voting to save the environment from climate change.”

Where would you begin? Likely with some sort of argument beginning to break down evolution. And if you went after how he votes first thing, you’re probably going to lose the opportunity to share Jesus. I don’t know anyone saved who was argued out of how they prefer to vote. Even a guy with no current framework for religion or faith in his life, was expecting our conversations to be somewhat confrontational and to debate these deeply held convictions and beliefs.

Start Helping People Experience Jesus

My response to Chris was to disciple him and help lead him to his own personal experiences with Jesus. In his daily quiet time, what was God doing in his life personally. As those become a part of his story, he needs to learn to share that. Because someone can argue circles around many believers when it comes to certain topics like evolution, but they can’t argue with our story of transformation and what Jesus is doing in our lives.

I think my response to Tyler took him by surprise. My first response was, “Tyler, I believe that someday you will stand before God. And when you do, He won’t ask you how old the earth is. He also won’t ask you how you voted. He will ask you what you did with Jesus. Are you open to discovering Jesus with me?” He said, “Yes.”

For six months we have read nearly the entire New Testament. Daily texting each other talking Scripture and next steps. Weekly I would say, “What do you believe God is calling you to do as a result of what you’ve read? What do you hear God, Jesus, the Spirit, saying to you?” Slowly he began to hear God and to experience Jesus in his own life through the daily practice of abiding in Christ. Scripture and prayer. Daily obedience. Daily surrender.

You Don’t Transform People, God Does

I have been guilty of being good enough with Scripture, to get someone twisted around just enough that eventually they concede to my point of view. I took a lot of pride in the fact that I had that kind of knowledge in the past. However, I bear a huge spiritual and eternal responsibility for people I have baptized or “lead to Christ” who were only following me out of fear and not because of what God was up to in their lives. I’m responsible for that spiritual manipulation. I pray I never do it again.

Even Jesus didn’t manipulate people. Think about the rich young ruler. A great conversation and a simple request. Here’s what God is calling you to do next. Sell everything and follow me. Nope, can’t do it. And Jesus was sad for him, but He didn’t manipulate or coerce him. I know Jesus could have manipulated, reasoned, debated Judas into not betraying Him. But that would have circumvented God’s will. Jesus allowed it to be as it was and didn’t spiritually or emotionally manipulate people

I now ask Chris what he believes his next step is. What is God up to in your life through your daily quiet time? What do you hear Him saying to you and what are you going to do about it?

Chris is now discipling a friend from out of state through daily Scripture and texting. He is asking different questions now and not trying to force or coerce submission to an intellectual debate. We both have a long way to go, but I can tell you he is seeing God at work far more through him to others now than when he was simply trying to use his own intellectual power to debate everyone he came into contact with.

On Sunday, August 25th, 2019, I baptized Tyler into Jesus Christ. After six months he said “Yes” to Jesus. I’ll never forget the day that I read his text, “I’m ready.” I have been in ministry almost 17 years and he is the first lost person I have wept for at the decision to make Jesus, Lord. Why? Because God did it. All the other years I’ve been trying to control and manipulate what God was up to.

I didn’t manipulate or coerce Tyler. I allowed him to wrestle with God and let God transform his life. I prayed for him like crazy along the way, but I let God do the work. And when the timing was right, God had His way. Tyler is a new man. You can see it in his face. I love that guy!

1 Peter 3:15 is so fresh for me now. It’s not an intellectual or theological debate. It’s all about hope and what God is doing in my life. Read it again and see if you see the difference.

But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. [1 Peter 3:15 CSB]

My hope is not in my intellectual ability to wear you down on a given topic.

My hope is not in my theological knowledge to trap you into admitting I am right.

My hope is not in the earth being 6000 or 5 billions years old.

My hope is not in fossil records.

My hope is in the risen Jesus Christ and how He is transforming my life in 2019.

My role is simply to point people to an experience with Jesus Christ themselves and to love them along the way. If my apologetics are in the way of loving people and discipling them to salvation, then I am no better than the Pharisees in Jesus’ day.

What are your thoughts when it comes to apologetics and disciple making?

I am going to be opening myself up to train pastors in some of these disciple making principles. If you are interested in training, please contact me and let me know. I will contact you when the first trainings are underway.

Source: Our Apologetics Must Surrender to the Transformative Power of Jesus Christ!

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by Carey Nieuwhof: Notice this lately?

If you look at almost any growing church led by younger leaders, it definitely tends toward the charismatic—expressive worship, more emotional delivery in preaching, an openness to the work and activity of the Holy Spirit, and generally a warmer, more enthusiastic and expressive gathering.

And…a lot of the churches that lean toward a more charismatic expression of their faith are filled with young adults and Millennials.

Meanwhile,  many leaders in attractional churches are finding it harder and harder to reach new people over the last few years. While not universally true, some have stopped growing, or at least seen a slower growth rate than say 5 or 10 years ago.

Please hear me. This is not “we’re right you’re wrong”. This is a learning together post. Actually, both the charismatic and attractional movements have contributed massively to reaching millions of people. There is much to learn from each other.

Critics have no place here, but learners do.

So what’s happening? Well, culture changes and what people respond to changes, too. The church should change with it.  While you should never change the mission of a church (it’s eternal), you should definitely adapt the method.

Churches who love the method more than the mission will die. It happened in the 1950s, in the 1970s, in the 1990s and it’s happening today. What was effective a decade ago isn’t always effective today. Leaders who live in the past end up dying to the future.

Churches who love the method more than the mission will die.Click To Tweet

While you could argue that there’s a major difference in theology between charismatic and non-charismatic churches, I don’t think the differences are that big for the purposes of this blog post anyway.

The big shift is happening in how churches express themselves on the weekend and conduct their weekend experiences, moving from:

anonymity to a sense of belonging
engagement of the heart, not just the head.
more variety of services than three songs and a message
more passionate expressions of worship
additional space during the service for prayer
more thought in the service to the engagement of emotions beyond “hey we’re excited you’re here” (welcome and upbeat music) and “here’s something to think about” (the message).

As I outline here, churches that miss cultural change become irrelevant. After all, the gap between how quickly you change and how quickly culture changes is called irrelevance.

Personally, I’m behind any church that’s doing a great job leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

So, in the interests of learning and growing together, here are 5 reasons more charismatic churches are growing, and attractional churches are moving past peak in the current culture.

Leaders who live in the past end up dying to the future.Click To Tweet

1. The Foyer Moved

One of the great (and helpful) assumptions behind creating attractional churches is that Sunday morning is the first experience with church.

Guess what? That’s no longer true.

Now, almost everyone who attends your church for the first time has already been to your church…online.

That’s the case whether you have a completely amazing online experience, a killer website and an on-point social media presence, or whether you have a website from 2008.

Trust me, people who are interested in Christianity or your church have already checked you out long before they visited you. And if you have an online service, they’ve been with you for at least a week, and sometimes months or beyond.

Not convinced they’re checking out your channels? Well, there is the internet. Trust me: if they have spiritual questions, they’ve googled their way to spiritual answers (good or bad answers) long before they set foot in your door.

All of which means…the foyer moved.

Almost everyone who attends your church for the first time has already been to your church…online. All of which means, the foyer moved.Click To Tweet

Over dinner recently, I had a great discussion about this with the senior leadership team at CrossPoint Nashville. We talked about how attractional church isn’t as effective as it used to be (both CrossPoint and Connexus, where I serve, have been changing along the lines of this post for a few years now), when CrossPoint’s Creative Arts Director,  Drew Powell,  simply stated that the foyer had moved. That completely crystallized something I was trying to put my finger on for years now. Thanks, Drew, for the clarity.

So yep, that’s it: the foyer moved.

The implication? When someone shows up at your church now, they’re likely to want a little more than they did a decade or two ago when their first visit was truly their first exposure to your church or to Christianity. They’re ready to go a little further somewhat faster because they’ve already taken their first step.

Will you still end up with some people at the back with the arms crossed wanting to hide out in the dark? Of course.

But you likely have more who want to sample something real, who want to experience something different, who are ready to engaging faster.

That doesn’t mean you should bring them into a complete insider experience that’s impossible to understand or access. But it does mean they’re likely hungrier for more than they were a decade ago.

When an unchurched person visits your church for the first time these days, they’re more likely to sample something real, want to experience something different, and are likely ready to engaging faster. Click To Tweet

2. People Want Transformation, Not Information

Attractional church has seen thousands, probably millions, of people move into an authentic relationship with Jesus. Please hear that.

But sometimes what we’ve done (I say “we” because I’ve done this) is we tend to share information about Jesus or Christianity when we preach or host services. There was a day when that was really helpful, and that’s still not an entirely bad instinct. Who, after all, wants to lose people completely?

But remember, we now have the full-on internet that swallows daily life whole. We are drowning in a sea of information.

Fast forward to church, and guess what? People aren’t looking for information. They’re looking for transformation.

When people come to your church these days, fewer are looking for information about God; they’re looking for an experience with God.

When people come to your church these days, fewer are looking for information about God; they’re looking for an experience with God. Click To Tweet

Today, information is everywhere. Transformation is scarce.

Too many people who have been to church know about God. Not enough know God.

Too many people who have been to church know about God. Not enough know God.Click To Tweet

3. Transcendent is Connecting More Than Immanent Right Now

Both the digital explosion and the cynicism of our age have left people hungering for a transcendent touch. Think about the explosive rise of porn. People are looking for intimacy, but of course, in porn, get just the opposite. They’re looking for more.

People are hungry for true community, deeper experiences, and authentic transcendence.

Which is why churches that are growing are focusing more and more on creating experiences that engage more than just the head on a Sunday…but also engage the heart and relationship.

In short, people don’t just want to know what’s true, they want to know what’s real. And what’s real is deeper than just an idea—it’s an experience.

They come looking for something bigger than themselves, and something frankly, bigger than us. They come looking for God.

It’s a shame is when people come to church looking for God and only find us.

It’s a shame is when people come to church looking for God and only find us.Click To Tweet

God, in his nature, is both immanent and transcendent. A few decades ago as the culture slipped away from church, focusing on the imminence of God brought many back.

But the cultural shifts of the last decade have left people (especially younger people) longing for the transcendent.

This should be no surprise because of course the heart naturally longs for God. Sometimes we just long for God a bit differently than our parents.

I think the best future churches will have content that leans toward the immanent—practical, helpful and digestible. Again, being completely obtuse and incomprehensible or insider-focused helps no one. And future churches will also offer experiences that feel transcendent…a sense that you had to be there to experience what happened.

The best churches will offer both because that reflects the character and nature of God and the character of the Christian church at its best. 

The human heart naturally longs for God. Sometimes we just long for God a bit differently than our parents.Click To Tweet

4. Downloadable Experiences Have Become Resistible Experiences

Church online is new, so we’re all trying to figure it out. Understood.

Some growing churches fuel inclusivity by not offering their services online (Hillsong is famous for this), and while I respect that, I think online provides a HUGE front door to everyone you’re trying to reach. Everyone you’re trying to reach with the love of Christ is online.

So how do you navigate that tension of having everything you do available online and in person? Why would people bother to come at all, is the question,

Fundamentally, the consumption of content is also leaving people hungering for greater community, greater experience and greater transcendence.

So here’s what many growing churches are doing: offering experiences that, when watched online, leave you longing for the real, in person thing.

How? Running through that list we started with, growing churches design their in-person experience to:

move people quickly from anonymity to a sense of belonging
focus on the engagement of the heart, not just the head, both in the message and the music and overall experience.
offer more variety of services than three songs and a message
facilitate more passionate expressions of worship
create moments and additional space during the service for prayer
put more thought in the service to the engaging a variety of emotions.

If everything your church does in the future feels downloadable, probably all you’ll get is a lot of downloads, not a lot of gathered people.

If what your church does touches the soul, people will continue to gather.

People are coming to church expecting to meet God. Don’t let them settle for meeting you or something they could have half-listened to while working out.

To put it simply, if people feel like they missed nothing when they missed church, they’ll keep missing church.

If everything your church does in the future feels downloadable, probably all you’ll get is a lot of downloads, not a lot of gathered people. People are coming to church expecting to meet God. Don’t let them settle for meeting you. Click To Tweet

5. Passion’s beating polish

If you’ve been around church world for the last few decades, it’s easy to think that you need polish to pull off effective ministry. Another $50,000 f0r lights or sound and you’ll be good.

To be sure, charismatic churches have some amazing production.

But if you’re sitting there thinking that you need a better soundboard, some new LEDs and a much better band to reach people, think again.

Passion is free. And passion beats polish.

The effective churches I’ve visited and seen recently by no means had the best lights, stage or production. Some had almost no stage and no lights, while others had a pretty decent package, but not nearly the level you see at some churches.

What did they all have in common? Passion.

When it comes to reaching the next generation, passion beats polish.

When it comes to reaching the next generation, passion beats polish. And passion is free.Click To Tweet

It’s not that polish is bad (I’m all for great environments and seeing people fully use their gifts to create amazing experiences) but I think polish falls flat unless accompanied by a raw passion that exudes from leaders who love connecting people with God.

In some of the growing churches I’ve personally visited, smaller facilities and stage sets were more than compensated for by preachers, worship leaders and team members who exuded passion for the mission.

One caveat: don’t fake passion—people can smell fake from a mile away. And don’t exaggerate it. Different people have different levels of passion.

But if yours has faded, rekindle it. Pray about. Evoke what’s in there, and bring it to church.

In an age where nothing seems real anymore, people are looking for authentic. Church, we have it.

In an age where nothing seems real anymore, people are looking for authentic. Church, we have it.Click To Tweet

A Few Reminders

A few notes before we finish up.

Weird Is Still Weird

The attractional movement has done a great job reminding all of us that we have guests in the room. And while the foyer may have moved, someone’s first Sunday is still a huge deal.

So that’s no excuse to be self-indulgently weird. Authentic doesn’t mean weird.

Emotionalism Won’t Win the Day

Another trend I’ve seen is that the next generation of preachers (under 40s) seem to preach more than they teach.

It’s always hard to define the exact difference between the two, but simply put, preaching speaks more to the heart, teaching speaks more to the head.

Preachers facilitate an experience. Teachers convey information.

I think the best pastors do both well.

Preaching without solid teaching can become emotionalism. Teaching without preaching can become intellectualism.

Preaching leads people to say ‘That’s right. I need to change.” Teaching can lead people to say “He’s right. That’s a good point.”

I default toward teaching so this is a challenge for me.

Preaching without solid teaching can become emotionalism. Teaching without preaching can become intellectualism.Click To Tweet

Remember The People You’re Trying to Reach

The church is still one of the few organizations that exists for the sake of its non-members.

Doubt that? Well, aren’t you glad someone didn’t decide the church was done before you were introduced to the love of Jesus.

For sure you need to care for the people you have, but never to the exclusion of the people you’re called to reach.

Churches that over-focus on the needs of insiders will eventually only have insiders. And when that happens, you missed the mission.

Churches that over-focus on the needs of insiders will eventually only have insiders. And when that happens, you missed the mission. Click To Tweet

Running Under 1000 in Attendance? Some Help….

For just a few more days, my Breaking 200 Without Breaking You Online Course is being offered at its lowest price ever.  You can click here to learn more and get instant access for you and your team.

It’s designed to help your church break through the growth barrier you’re stuck at, whether that barrier is 50, 100, 200, 300 or even 700.

Even mega-churches are using Breaking 200 to help 200-1000 attendance campuses grow past their growth barriers.

The course is designed to help churches that are reaching some new families but not really seeing an increase in overall attendance change that, so they engage the people they reach and move their mission forward.

Almost always, there are 8 invisible barriers that are holding churches back. I cover each of them in the course.

So why did I call the course Breaking 200? Because 200 is the attendance barrier 85% of churches never get past. And the barrier is so breakable.

I show you and your team exactly how to structure for growth. I know, because I led my team past the 50, 100, 200, 500, 800 and 1000 attendance barrier and beyond. I’d love to help yours.

And it’s designed so I can walk your entire leadership team or elder board through the issues. Each course comes with a dozen licenses so your team can do this TOGETHER.

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The current pricing is good only until Wednesday, November 7th at 12:00 midnight.

Thoughts?

What are you seeing in terms of churches that are reaching people and those that aren’t?

Play nice in the comments. I want this blog to be a place for thoughtful people to interact.

This is a place for learning, and if you’re a student, not a critic, I’d love to hear from you.

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The post 5 Reasons Charismatic Churches Are Growing (And Attractional Churches Are Past Peak) appeared first on CareyNieuwhof.com.

Source: 5 Reasons Charismatic Churches Are Growing (And Attractional Churches Are Past Peak)

The post 5 Reasons Charismatic Churches Are Growing (And Attractional Churches Are Past Peak) appeared first on Passion for Planting.

The following is an excerpt from the download, “Three Keys to Making Disciple Makers”, written by Dave Buehring, Founder & President of Lionshare. Download the rest of these keys through their website here and look for “3 Keys to Making Disciple-Makers!”

Key #1: Obedience is the Engine of Transformation

Jesus said, “If you love me, you’ll obey my commands” (John 14:15). When I was younger, I believed that to mean, “Prove that you love me by your obedience to Me”. However, over time I learned that it actually looks more like “as you continually encounter My love, obeying Me becomes a delightful must of your heart.” In other words, obeying Jesus is not done just because I should, or because He’ll love me more, or even because it advances His Kingdom. No, it’s much simpler and even richer than that — my heart has become entangled with His and obeying Him has morphed into a must mission of my heart!

In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus commissions His disciples to “go, make disciples…teaching them to obey…” Now, I know that’s not where it ends, but that’s right where the Holy Spirit stopped me… “teaching them to obey”! Jesus learned obedience (Heb. 5:8), He taught His disciples how to obey Him, and then He asked them to disciple others to obey Him as well. Question: are you deliberately discipling those Jesus has put around you to obey Him?

The consequential gap between something revealed by Jesus to us and the actual transformation intended by that revelation, is obedience. Obedience is the engine of transformation! Obeying Jesus yields good fruit, fruit that remains. Disobeying Jesus results in a thinness of soul, habits of doing what we think is best, and fleshly attempts to bring forth spiritual fruit that masks our spiritual impotency.

Jesus gave His disciples a command to obey: make disciples. Because of the reproducing DNA implied in this command, it means making disciple makers. Their must mission of obedience—as seen in the book of Acts—caused people, religious structures and society to be flipped upside down! Making disciple makers was a must mission of Jesus’ life and ministry—is this a must mission of yours? Practically speaking, who did you disciple last year that is now effectively reproducing this year? Is your church currently, fruitfully functioning in this must mission of Jesus?

Keys #2 and #3

Download keys 2 and 3 through Lionshare’s website here. Look for “3 Keys to Making Disciple-Makers!”

This post was provided by Lionshare, which is a multi-denominational and multi-generational community of Jesus followers committed to discipling four-generations deep. They walk alongside pastors and churches, as well as societal leaders, to help reproduce disciple makers. We ignite disciple making through our two-day d4 gatherings that are hosted throughout the country. We also have a scripturally sound, proven and practical resource we’ve used for over a decade to aid the disciple making process. Contact Lionshare at info@lionshare.org or through their website www.lionshare.org.

Image credit: Unsplash

Source: 3 Keys to Making Disciple Makers

The post 3 Keys to Making Disciple Makers appeared first on Passion for Planting.