Churches committed to following Christ’s example want this world changed for the sake of eternity. While the supernatural piece of making that happen goes without saying, how does a body of believers do its part to be in that “sweet spot” where true spiritual transformation occurs?

In Transformational Church, best-selling research authors Ed Stetzer and Thom S. Rainer survey fifty thousand churches—then narrow the scope down to five hundred congregations—for a qualitative answer. Their book, the most comprehensive study of the modern American church to date, contains a wealth of indispensable new data, nuanced insights, and how-to guidance, all centered on this key finding:

“Transformational churches make disciples whose lives are being transformed by the gospel, so that people engage the culture around them for its ultimate transformation. Deeply committed to the essential foundations of discipleship (worship, community, and mission), transformational churches practice their faith and make disciples through vibrant leadership, prayerful dependence upon God, and relational intentionality. And they do so paying mind to their unique context and with a missionary mindset.”

About the book …

Dr. Smith says, “YOU SHOULD BUY SEVERAL COPIES OF THIS BOOK! I have read at least 100 books on the church in my ministry years. It is not a stretch to say that this book is biblical, practical and well researched. The weaving of the seven traits of transformational churches is well balanced by stories and explanations, without providing programs and ‘reproducible templates’ by which the cultural nuances would be lost in their reproduction. This is an excellent book and a powerful read for those who are serious about the church in the coming decade or more. Thank you for beginning the discussion and reviving hope for the church. I look forward to more on this!

“Transformational Church should be the first book you read this year if church health and growth are your priorities. Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer have written one of the most researched, biblical, practical and hopeful books on the church in years!”

~ Matthew Smith, founder and director of Eagles In Leadership

You can order your copy of Transformational Church here.

About the Authors …

Ed Stetzer is director of LifeWay Research and missiologist in residence at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee. He holds two masters, two doctoral degrees, and has written dozens of articles and acclaimed books including Planting Missional Churches, Breaking the Missional Code, Comeback Churches, and Lost and Found. Ed and his wife have three daughters.

Thom S. Rainer is president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, one of the largest Christian resource companies worldwide, and the best-selling coauthor of Simple Church, Essential Church, and Simple Life. Rainer and his wife, Nellie Jo, have three grown sons and live in Nashville, Tennessee.

His radio broadcasts in both English and Spanish are heard by millions more on 3,000 radio outlets in 48 countries. His outstanding and significant contribution to the field of Christian communications was recognized in 2008 with the National Religious Broadcasters William Ward Ayer Distinguished Service Award.

Mr. Palau has authored close to 50 books and countless articles on issues of faith, and has counseled with business and political leaders and heads of state around the world. Luis Palau festivals have produced some of the largest audiences ever recorded in cities from south Florida to South America.

His ministry also includes the Next Generation Alliance®, created to grow and nurture partner evangelists, and the Livin It® Alliance, which uses action sport ministries, film and video to reach young people for Christ. His latest book, A Friendly Dialogue Between an Atheist and a Christian, quickly became a bestseller in China and released in the United States in February, 2008.

Luis and his wife, Pat, live in Portland, Oregon, where they have eleven grandchildren and four sons, three of whom are actively involved with the ministry.

For more information about Luis Palau, check his website

The Christian Atheist is quite an eye-catching title – one that seeks to encourage us to live the Christ-life, without hypocrisy. Christian atheism is best explained as where people believe in God but live as if he doesn’t exist. You will enjoy Craig’s great writing style – he communicates very well in this book using humor liberally.

Christian Atheism takes on many characteristics, and Craig lists 12 in his book.

• When you believe in God but really don’t know him
• When you believe in God but are ashamed of your past
• When you believe in God but aren’t sure he loves you
• When you believe in God but not in prayer
• When you believe in God but don’t think he’s fair
• When you believe in God but won’t forgive
• When you believe in God but don’t think you can change
• When you believe in God but still worry all the time
• When you believe in God but pursue happiness at any cost
• When you believe in God but trust more in money
• When you believe in God but don’t share your faith
• When you believe in God but not in his church

Early in Craig’s life, in a backyard vacation Bible school, Craig chose NOT to go to hell – so he ‘accepted’ Christ. However, as he moved into high school his ‘faith’ was disconnected from his lifestyle. It wasn’t until a low point in college, after reading his Bible, that he realized that being a Christian was a lifestyle, not a label. Whispering to God, “Take my life,” God did; and, as he says, “For the first time in my life, I believed in God and began to live like he is real.”

Groeschel takes his stand on clear Scripture and talks about how ‘as you get to know him better, you will change.’ This is at the center of the entire idea of The Christian Atheist.

As Craig wraps the book up, he issues us a challenge entitled ‘Third Line Faith,’ a challenge God first gave to him. With three lines in the sand, God asked Craig if he would step over the third line – each line representing a clear belief system and choice:

Line 1: I believe in God and the gospel of Christ enough to benefit from it.

By this he means, “We want God’s benefits without changing how we live. We want his best, without our sacrifices.”  Concerned this may not be real Christianity Craig pressed on to understand the second lifestyle choice he could make …

Line 2: I believe in God and Christ’s gospel enough to contribute comfortably.

Here he understood that his belief in God was “not only enough to benefit [from] but also enough to give back – as long as it doesn’t cost too much.” Realizing this was where he was at the moment God was speaking to him, he longed for the lifestyle of those who step across the third line …

Line 3: I believe in God and Christ’s gospel enough to give my life to it.

He says, “Although most people I knew were line-one and line-two believers, suddenly anything less than line three didn’t seem like real Christianity to me. Could I give my whole life to Christ? Not only in words but in my daily life?” Through a series of decisions and choices, Craig finally crossed the third line, and now he asks you to do the same and allow him to “welcome [you] to true Christianity.”

This book is for anyone courageous enough to admit to their hypocrisy. It pushes you, challenges you, and disturbs you. And if you are honest before God the lessons in this book will help you shed some of your hypocrisy as it did for me.

You can order your copy of the Christian Atheist here.

(Names have been changed to protect privacy.)

(c) 1999 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Every eagle leader knows the fear that comes when someone says, “I need to speak with you,” in that certain tone of voice. “What did I do now?” often runs through our minds. What is almost impossible to bear is when they say, “Not today, maybe tomorrow.” How many nights have we spent fretting and wondering, paralyzed by the fear of the unknown?

It was late on a Sunday evening, as we were finishing up a full day of ministry, when one of the elders asked to talk to me many years ago when I was a young pastor. “I don’t have time right now. Could we get together this week? I have some concerns I’d like to talk over.” What could I say but, “Sure.” Read more …

Matt Bell has written a must read – must study book here!

Listen to this encouraging and inspiring discussion with Matt! Dr. Matthew Lee Smith interviews the author of Money, Purpose, Joy about the Biblical truths and wisdom needed to achieve your inner hopes and dreams.

You can order Matt’s book here!

You can learn more about Matt’s ministry and receive his free newsletters here!

One of the key secrets to great growth – individually and corporately – is the issue of accountability and the change that comes from it. In fact, when we evaluate based on  the core values, vision and mission statement we have created a simple and effective means of ensuring focus on the things that really matter.

Effective accountability is always mutual – always for the benefit of all involved. In a church, pastors and leaders (paid, elected and volunteer) interact and seek to bring out the best in each other. In a ministry where the mission of Jesus Christ is held as primary, effectiveness and faithfulness are accomplished through mutual accountability.

As Iron Sharpens Iron

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
(Proverbs 27:17 ESV)

Accountability is just part of the life in Christ. Discipleship and leadership development involve intimate relationship – one that is constantly in action. “… but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13 NKJV). Those who choose to refuse evaluation have something to hide. Two-way mutual responsibility through a caring, empowering and mission-vision focused relationship is what the Bible teaches.

Evaluation or Evaluations?

Transparency breeds trust and secrecy breeds suspicion. No where does this speak louder than with a leader who does not allow others to investigate their lives through constant evaluation.

Over the years I have had allowed people into the deepest, darkest recesses of my soul. Asking questions and allowing questions to be asked are all part of our weekly life lives together.

Questions that Beg Transparency

Meeting with leaders is always a great time for me. It is a time to discover and hope, correct and plan, pray and trust. Developing a ‘meeting checklist’ is central to a profitable meeting. Below is one that I like to hand out before we meet one-to-one each month, asking the leader to fill one out for me and assuring them that I will fill one out for them. When we meet, we discuss the responses to the following questions …

• What has been your past month’s devotional routine? (I.e., reading schedule, prayer times, etc.)
• What new insights in God’s Word have you discovered over the past month?
• What specific answers to prayer have you enjoyed over the past month?
• What has been the biggest joys for you personally over the past month?
• What has brought the greatest drains upon you personally over the past month?
• What are you planning for this coming month that you are anticipating with excitement?
• What are you planning for this contemplating in this coming month that you are dreading?
• How have I been a hindrance to you this past month?
• How have I been a help to you over the past month?
• How can I can be the most help to you in the coming month?
• Over the past three months, what ministry objectives have you accomplished?
• Over the past three months, what ministry objectives have you not accomplished?
• In order to be a success in the next months, I will need the following from you …

A Daily Process

Yes, we are all being evaluated each and every day by each and every person we come in contact with. People measure their effectiveness to take evaluation and change by the number of friends they have. Organizations and churches measure their effectiveness at making change from their evaluations by the number of people who remain faithful.

Evaluation is the substance of life. Change is the purpose of evaluation and Jesus’ mission is the motivation for being evaluated. Here’s to a sharper edge!

Jhan Moskowitz, North American Director, was born and raised in the Bronx in New York City. From his refugee parents, he learned at an early age what it means to be a Jew. He was disenchanted with religion in his teens, but was committed to the survival of his people and became a short-term volunteer on a kibbutz in Israel. It was there that he became a seeker. He found his answer in 1971 when he came to terms with God through His Messiah, Jesus.

Jhan was one of the “original” Jews for Jesus volunteers, even before the organization’s incorporation in 1973. Jhan co-founded the New Jerusalem Players (a mobile drama team of Jews for Jesus) and toured the United States as leader of that team for five years. He has directed the New York branch, where he also served as spiritual leader of a messianic congregation in Manhattan. He served as director of the Chicago branch of Jews for Jesus for 25 years. During that time, he taught a Bible study for the legal community of downtown Chicago. Jhan currently serves as the Director of North American Ministries, overseeing the ten Jews for Jesus branches in North America.

Jhan graduated from Long Island University and received his theological training at Simpson College in San Francisco. He received his Masters in Missions from the School of World Missions at Fuller Seminary. He is currently working on his Doctorate of Ministry at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is ordained through the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination.

Jhan has served as a platform speaker for Promise Keepers, bringing the message of reconciliation through Messiah Jesus to tens of thousands of men.

While in Chicago this past May, Roy Patterson, host of Urban Praise, on WMBI (AM 1110), interviewed Matt and Melodee Smith. The subject of that interview was “Prodigal Children.” Drawing from their 5 year journey through the valley of sorrow and darkness, Matt and Melodee share how God enabled them to have hope that one day, God would bring reconciliation to their relationship with their run away daughter.

Melodee wrote Hope Enabler at the direction of God to help parents know that, despite the present situation, God can give hope and help to an estranged relationship. You can order Hope Enabler at Eagles In Leadership or on Amazon.

A follow up to the profound message of Crazy Love, Pastor Francis Chan offers a compelling invitation to understand, embrace, and follow the Holy Spirit’s direction in our lives. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We pray in the name of all three, but how often do we live with an awareness of only the first two?

As Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit–the Helper–so that we could be true and living witnesses for Christ. Unfortunately, today’s church has admired the gift but neglected to open it. Breakthrough author Francis Chan rips away paper and bows to get at the true source of the church’s power–the Holy Spirit. Chan contends that we’ve ignored the Spirit for far too long, and we are reaping the disastrous results. Thorough scriptural support and compelling narrative form Chan’s invitation to stop and remember the One we’ve forgotten, the Spirit of the living God.

christianaudio, Oasis Audio, and David C. Cook have partnered together for the month of June 2010 to bring you the audiobook download of Forgotten God for FREE!

Instructions: Add the download to your cart and use the coupon code JUN2010 when prompted to receive this month’s free download! You must use the code to receive the download for free.

To get your FREE download of Forgotten God simply click this link.

Scott says … “In celebration of America, enjoy my lastest song ‘America Rise’ as a free download from Memorial Day through the Fourth of July.”

Get your FREE copy of ‘America Rise’ at this link.

In today’s podcast interview, Byron will speak to the question What Brings Revival? Having ministered in 1,000s of churches throughout the years, Byron has amazing insights from a field-tested servant of God. Let’s listen in as we discover how God brings revival to our hearts, our church and our community …

Life Action Ministries is on a mission! They have a single-minded focus to see God glorified through a revival among His people. This purpose has carried them for over three decades of work alongside the churches of our nation.
Life Action Ministries is the largest revival ministry in North America. The staff has grown from 1 to over 200 dedicated workers in 25 different departments.

We encourage you to check out the ministry if Life Action Revival Ministries at (www.LifeAction.org). Byron is also on Twitter (@ByronPaulus).

You can also contact Dr. Smith in one of three ways:

• Commenting on this post at eaglesinleadership.org
• or by emailing us at transformedpodcast@gmail.com
• or you can call our new voicemail line number at 206-309-9277. Leave a comment that we can play on a future episode … If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review at iTunes or Podcast Pickle. Feel free to pass this episode on to a friend.

This podcast interview was recorded in San Pedro, CA. All material contained therein is copyrighted under the Creative Commons License, please do not rebroadcast without permission.

If you know me at all, you know that I am a Star Trek fan – all genres. One of the most important lessons I learned in leadership came in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. When asked how he came upon the amazing engineer, Geordi LaForge, Captain Jean Luc Picard explained that he had mentioned that a piece of equipment didn’t seem to function correctly to him. He concluded the story by saying, “The next day I found out that he stayed up all night and rebuilt it.” That’s when I knew I wanted him aboard my ship.”

I am often asked what the secret is to developing leaders. The simple answer is, “Work with those who have an appetite to excel.” If you desire to transform your ‘third stringers’ into first string leaders, consider these simple guides to leadership development.

• Preach to all. God has given us a ministry to bring His truths to all humanity. Bring the whole of the pleasures and riches of God’s wealth from His Word to the congregation God has brought to your care.

• Teach the faithful. As you provide the meals from God’s Word, you will notice some want more. You will know of their desire by the consistent attendance and interest. Provide them with a bit more, ‘a cut above,’ in the materials you teach. They will be appreciated.

• Disciple the hungry. These are the ones who repeatedly ask questions during studies and follow up your thoughts with their own studies. They will come back with thoughts and questions from what they have found – all so they can deepen their walk with God.

• Train the leaders. A huge difference has just taken place – a line has been crossed that helps you discover God’s ‘cream’ of the crop. Leaders gather followers – you can find them by looking for their ‘entourage.’ Leaders bring followers to the studies and then encourage them by gathering their ‘flock’ for further discipleship and mentoring.

• Mentor the called. Across your field of service God is calling some to higher and deeper commitment to His service. While these may be dads and accountants, moms and managers, God wants them to be more. They, despite hectic schedules, are the ones feeling the call of God on their lives – marked by a burden to serve and care for some segment of their community. These are the ones you pour your life into.

Leadership development is all about appetite. As Howard Hendricks once told a group of men I was in the process of mentoring, “Never do for someone else what they can do for themselves.” Appetite will drive people to do more if you will just lead and feed them. Oh yes, and to no one’s surprise, Geordi quickly became chief engineer of the Enterprise.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” Psalms 91:14-16 (NKJV)

As I begin the Moody Bible Institute Pastors Conference this week in Chicago, I am reminded of all of God’s amazing blessings over my life. God has given me so much: My amazing wife, Melodee, ‘the joy of my eyes,’ who has been my faithful partner for almost 31 years (this June 9th). There are two loving daughters, two beautiful grand-daughters and so many family and friends. And then, to add to these, he has placed Melodee and I in full-time vocational ministry.

I am sure you have many of the same type of blessings from our incredibly loving God. When we think about all of these, we are overwhelmed with joy. Then, as we read His Word, we are reminded by Moses (one who personally knew what he was talking about) of seven more blessings from God’s heart.

• He will deliver me. When we are frustrated and trapped, God is with us to show us the way of escape. How many times have you been stuck, with no one to help, only to close the door and cry out to God? And then, miraculously, God makes a way where there is no way! He will deliver you!

• He will set me on high. Sometimes it seems our troubles come from all sides. Life appears to be filled with terror-ists who want to destroy our hopes and crush our dreams. In those dark hours, when we lie away at night fear-filled and tearful, God promises to ‘make us inaccessible’ to those who would rip our lives apart. He, too, will ‘set you on high,’ far from the reach of the enemies of your life.

• He will call me. Just when you think you are all alone in the midst of your tribulations, God reaches out and calls you by name! He longs to tell you His plan and assure you that He has not forgotten you or abandoned you. He will ‘call you,’ most likely when you least expect it and most need it!

• He will be with me in trouble. As the world crashes in on us, whether by recession or somone’s obsession to injure us, God will be with you, alongside you. You are not alone. God knows your pain and walks with you ‘through the valley of the shadow of death’ so you can ‘fear no evil.’ He will ‘be with you’ in your troubles.

• He will honor me. Despite the wretched machinations of life, your faithfulness to him will not go unnoticed. God will reward you and do so publicly. You can be assured that God is more interested in your character than your comfort because when He is done, YOU are His trophy of grace – to place on display for all to see. He will honor you!

• He will satisfy me with a long life. When our troubles stretch on and our hope is depleted, many lose interest in life completely. Who would want to go on when the pain won’t stop? It is at this moment, as we lay before Him in tears, that God begins to turn things around, reminding us of our spiritual family – our spiritual and emotional support group. In their care and love, comfort and compassion, God begins to renew and refresh our lives, filling us with fresh hope and direction. He will ‘satisfy you with a long life,’ both here on earth and into eternity.

• He will show me his salvation. While many of us would first read this as eternal life, contemporaries of Moses would have thought of God’s amazing deliverance from their slavery in Egypt. Such rescue is a path that first requires enough faith to obey God when He calls. Then, when God acts, we must choose to follow Him out of our problems. You can be sure that God ‘will show you his salvation’ as you trust Him and follow Him.

In order to ‘soar with the eagles’ this week, let me suggest that you reflect upon and rejoice in God’s wonderful blessings! I know I will.

Pastor, what Frustrates you in ministry?

Every church is different, and the situations you face are unique to your setting, but common threads are found in many churches. Using customized, commissioned research from the Barna Group and others, veteran pastor Charles Stone points to five potent killers in pastors’ lives:

1. A head-in-the-sand mentality that denies problems

2. Emotional investment in the wrong issues

3. Unhealthy responses to ministry frustrations

4. A Lone Ranger attitude that says “God and I can handle this”

5. Attitudes and actions that lead to lonely, hurting spouses

Stone then uses his thirty years of pastoral experience to unpack these problems so you can regain real hope and energy to continue in your calling. No unrealistic advice or simplistic solutions. Just hard questions and straight answers that will lead to healing and restoration for you and your congregation.

We encourage you to listen as Dr. Matthew Lee Smith talks about 5 Ministry Killers and How to Defeat Them with Charles Stone …

Links:

You can learn more about Charles and the church where he is the Senior Pastor at: Ginger Creek Community Church.

You can purchase this book at: Amazon and Bethany House

Because of the incredible importance of this topic, we would encourage you to tell a friend about this interview.

Remember, we are here to Encourage Achievement in Godly Leaders by Emphasizing Servanthood. We would like to invite you to sign up for periodic email notifications of our new-release resources as they become available. Just add your email to the “Sign Up Via Email” box on the right had side of the EaglesInLeadership.org website and follow the prompts.

Faith is all about seeing what God has placed before you. Vision, in other words, is our faith employed through our attention to the details God has placed before us. But the question is, ‘What are we looking for?

• First, we need to look up! In worship we discover the heart of God. Magnifying God’s character and compassion invigorates us to ‘go and do likewise.’

• Second, we need to look out! God’s heart is always ‘on mission’ to bring his lost children home. Who around you yet knows of God’s love for them. God yearns to be reunited with them.

• Third, we must look in! The life of God is always found in His family. As we look at what God is doing among the membership of our local congregation, we often find His vision. The easiest way to gain God’s vision among us is to join a small group of God’s people.

• Next, we must look around! As we minister to one another and care for our family, friends, and even our foes, we discover what breaks God’s heart. What breaks God heart is where God’s vision.

• Fifth, we must look at! Jesus is the incarnation of the vision of God. As we walk his walk and follow his example, as reflected in the Gospels, we mature in such a way as to discover the direction and determination of God.

• Sixth, we must look for! Such an energetic and passionate love from God requires many to be involved in spreading His message. Mentoring future leaders (proteges) impresses upon our heart and soul the things that are vital to the heart of God.

• Finally, we must look after! Once we start something, we must maintain it. Stewardship is all about doing things well and completely. God’s vision is ‘to do all things well.’

Vision is all about seeing. Where we look helps us see as God sees!

Listen to Mike Powers Interview with Ernie Harwell by clicking the play button below …

(This testimony was written by Jacqueline J. Repp of MLB.com)

For, lo, the winter is past,
 The rain is over and gone; 
The flowers appear on the earth;
 The time of the singing of birds is come,
 And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

After 55 years of broadcasting Major League games, including 42 years with the Tigers, Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell has entred his eternal reward with Jesus Christ.

Often referred to as the Voice of Tigers Baseball, Harwell, 92, would open each season by reciting the “Song of the Turtle,” a stanza that celebrates the freshness of spring, renewed life and opportunities, and ushers in the baseball season for Tigers fans the world over.

Respected by the players, beloved by the fans, Harwell has had a lasting impact on the world of baseball.

“Ernie Harwell stands, as much as anybody as I can think of, as a positive representative of what the game of baseball should and does stand for,” said Bill Freehan, a Tigers catcher from 1963-76, upon the announcement of Harwell’s upcoming retirement. “His memory will be long lasting and the quality of man he is will never diminish.”

“Ernie is probably the most beloved person who has ever been in Detroit with the Detroit Tigers,” Al Kaline said. “He is loved by everybody and rightfully so. He’s a great broadcaster but even a better person. That comes across on his broadcasts.”

To the broadcasting community, Harwell is an honored example of greatness. He received the Ford C. Frick award for broadcasting excellence from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981. He was the first active broadcaster to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown and has been inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame (1998), the National Sportscasters Hall of Fame (1989) and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (1989). He has been named the Michigan Sportscaster of the Year 17 times. To the fans, Ernie Harwell is a baseball icon at the level of greats like Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth. His unmistakable voice and fast-paced play-by-plays have made him a cornerstone in Tigers baseball.

Dedicated fans are known to bring radios to the ballpark or mute the sound on the television to instead listen to Harwell’s broadcast of the game. His friendly, open demeanor and genuine interest in the fans have made him a true fan favorite. At Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, the Tigers’ Spring Training facility, Harwell is often stopped for a friendly handshake or a request for an autograph or is presented with fans standing on the back of seats to peer into the press box for a glimpse and friendly word with the beloved broadcaster.

Harwell’s contributions to Tigers baseball and the fans will be celebrated with special events at Comerica Park throughout the season. In addition, this tribute to Ernie Harwell: The Voice of the Tigers will allow fans to send Harwell messages of farewell, best wishes and gratitude to honor his long service to Detroit and his place in baseball history.

“All in all, it has been a great run for me,” Harwell said. “But most of all, I think I owe thanks to the people who have listened to me over the years, who tuned in on the radio. They have given me a warmth and loyalty that I’ve never been able to repay. The way they have reached out to me has certainly been the highlight of my life.

“If somebody wants to pay attention to me, I’m human enough to like the attention, for heaven’s sake. It’s nice to read good stories about yourself. I really look at myself as somebody trying to do their job, that’s all. I’m lucky maybe to be in the spotlight a little bit.”

Jacqueline J. Repp is a Marketing Producer with MLB.com.

For the past few years I have been praying and dreaming about what a healthy church ministry would look like. At this moment, as I am between ministries and looking ahead in anticipation of the next five to ten years of ministry, I find there are eight focal points to a healthy ministry for God.  While these areas are not exhaustive, they seem to me to be central to the work God has prepared me to do. As you review these points, I know they will resonate among the hearts of  men and women who desire to do a great ministry for God.

A healthy ministry views …

• Effective Prayer as central – Creating / developing / enhancing corporate, small group and individual prayer is central to seeing with God’s eyes and feeling with God’s heart so we can be ‘on mission’ and following God’s will for our lives as a church.

• Passionate Worship as intentional – Magnifying God’s name and bringing the whole of our worship time to bear on ‘the Big Idea’ of the day becomes central to our weekend worship efforts. This includes long-range planning so as to include and develop maximum involvement of our church family in our worship times to bring glory to God.

• Joyful Fellowship and Followership opportunities as vital – Creating unity breeds joy and pleasure, strength and higher morale when men, women and teens are afforded planned and intentional settings where they can mix and mingle, reflect and regroup, hope and hear from one another and God through camping, retreats and opportunities that allow us to rub shoulders with one another as well as work and play together as the family of God.

• Enhancing Spiritual growth as critical – Building opportunities for the men, women and teens of our fellowship to grow in their spiritual aptitudes and appetites, interests and inquiries through courses, trips and situations where they are able to ‘work out’ their faith for the very real world we encounter every day.

• Reproducing Discipleship as key – Training men, women and teens to become reproducing followers of Christ, able to understand and know what following Jesus is all about, as well as sharing the care and compassion of Jesus with others so that they too are won to his leadership and love. Such training seeks to develop these men, women and teens so that once they have lead their friends to Christ, they can disciple them in the faith.

• Developing Leadership as essential – Scheduling and developing regular times of formal leadership training, taking men, women and teens on appropriate ministry and leadership development seminars, conferences and activities are viewed as non-optional, all the while understanding that Biblical leadership development is the process of servant leadership.

• Enthusiastic Outreach and Assimilation as the heartbeat of ministry – Seeking to fulfill the Great Commission is one of the greatest opportunities in this life by finding creative and relational ways to bring our people in contact with those who have yet to open their hearts and heads to the love and leadership of Jesus Christ.

• Pastoral Encouragement ministry as important – Drawing a team of men, women and teens around the pastors to pray and encourage, support and serve so that the hearts of the pastors are encouraged – this allows them to lead us to meet the challenges and callings God has for our people as a whole, thus lifting the whole church to the next level.

As you read my list I am sure there are other things that come to mind. Perhaps your pulse increased as you reviewed this list. I know that every time I reread and refine this list – I first wrote it months ago – fresh hope and excitement fill me. I have turned these into prayer points for my next ministry. As I contemplate where God wants to place me next, I look to this list and (a) see if I see signs of these things present, or (b) ask about a willingness to walk down these paths with the churches I talk to. If you know of such a ministry looking for a senior pastor with this type of heart, feel free to email me or leave me a comment below.

The Hole in Our Gospel just received the Christian Life Book of the Year award from ECPA!

The Hole in Our Gospel
by Richard Stearns and read by Tommy Creswell
Published by Thomas Nelson and distributed by christianaudio
This is a story of how a corporate CEO faced his own struggle to obey God whatever the cost, and his passionate call for Christians to change the world by actively living out their faith. Using his own journey as an example, Stearns explores the hole that exists in our understanding of the Gospel.

Coupon Code: MAY2010

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Many churches and ministries that are stagnant or in decline often follow a cycle of destruction to their death. It would be bad enough if the organization went through this cycle only once. However, beyond the realms of sanity, toxic groups seem to repeat this process time and again before facing oblivion.

The Eagle Leader will do their homework and investigate a ministry’s health and viability before attaching one’s self to it. The cycle of destruction begins with …

Unrealistic Expectations. Dying ministries have set the bar so high for the leader, that no matter what is done, it isn’t enough. Most of the complaints are simply ‘nit-picking’ by the perennially unsatisfied. Even the eagle leader fairs poorly in such a negative environment. This leads to …

Disparaging Gossip. Since these grumblers are ‘surprisingly’ upset, they think, ‘Why not share it with others, for prayer, of course.’ Each new morsel is seasoned with generous portions of fresh venom, lightly disguised. Such news needs to be shared with other ‘concerned’ members. As the negativity grows, the ministry suffers from …

Inevitable Disappointment. Whispers in the corners, phone calls and group meetings fan the flames of this downward spiral against the leader. People begin to form allegiances and soon the church or ministry reveals …

Fractious Divisions. People who love the new leader and like the new direction the ministry is taking push back. As word spreads, sides are taken. People begin to share their anger and divide the congregation even further. For the leader, this is a …

Discouraging Rejection. At the breaking point, the leader simply hands in their resignation and hopes for greener grass at the next ministry. With the leader’s departure comes the attending departure of those who had sided with him. Of course, at the ministry he has just left, this leads to …

Optimistic Restaffing. The toxic ministry takes this as a sign of hope and rapidly searches for a ‘better leader,’ someone that will understand and work to ‘grow’ the ministry, all the while not comprehending the poison of death lurks in the remaining members.

And once the new leader is chosen, it begins all over again … only to injure the new leader and the dying ministry even more. It would seem that after two or three such cycles, with the resultant shrinking of the ministry, someone – anyone – who is left would ask the really important question: “What is wrong with US?” Alas, this seldom happens. Instead, blame continues to be the medicine of choice. Soon the ministry ceases to function at all and the cause of Christ gains another black eye, since those in the local community see that Jesus was not able to keep it alive.

Matt Bell has written a must read – must study book here!

Starting from a very different location – our heart and soul – this book helps the reader answer the most important questions BEFORE they take the accounting journey one finds in almost every other resource. Harkening back to my days of elementary school, I can almost hear Matt asking us (the readers), ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ Using two very specific questions: ‘What truly matters?’ and ‘What matters most?’ Bell helps us focus on what’s really deep inside. And once these heart dreams are locked down, the rest is practical math and diligence!

Money, Purpose, Joy shows us how to reach our real desires, goals and values through practical, easy-to-understand steps. Once he helps us cement our real goals down, Bell then takes us through the process of achieving those dreams. Using humor and real life transparency, this is a book men will appreciate. Guys, don’t miss the story of Matt’s life traveling the world as a golfing magazine reporter.

Definitely a 5 out of 5 stars for this book! A MUST read and study.

You can order Matt’s book here!

You can learn more about Matt’s ministry and receive his free newsletters here!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”