Pat Ford Blogs

Building Momentum: A Church Facilities Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Building Momentum: A Church Facilities Workshop
April 17, 2012 (Tuesday)
Austin, TX: Great Hills Baptist Church

Get your building project team ready at this year's workshop. If you are thinking about building within the next five years join us and learn from church building design experts.

Workshop sessions include:

*Leading Your Church to Build
*Designing Effective Ministry-driven Church Facilities
*Developing a Team Approach
*Addressing Project Funding
*Exploring Alternatives to Construction and Adaptive Reuse of Existing Buildings
*Open House Tours of Recently Completed Projects

Learn more and register here.

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

The Vow: True Events Behind The Movie

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The Vow: The True Events that Inspired the Movie
by Marty King

Free download of Chapter 1 - The Vow: The True Story Behind the Movie (PDF).

The New York Times #1 bestselling book The Vow: The True Story Behind the Movie — that inspired the #1 movie.

B&H Publishing Group has released an updated version of "The Vow" book, the amazing true story of commitment and faith that inspired a major motion picture by the same name.

"The Vow" movie premiered Friday (Feb. 10) and tells the fictionalized story of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter who made national news in the 1990s when an auto accident left Krickitt with no memory of her husband or their marriage. The book, initially released in 2000, tells the true story of the couple's commitment to their wedding vows, the rekindling of their romance, and their strong faith in God.

"This story is not about me, and it's not about Krickitt," husband Kim writes in the book. "It's about the Lord and how He brought my wife and me through a terrible time to a life that is greater than we could have ever imagined. It's about a commitment to the Lord and to each other."

Married just 10 weeks in November 1993, the Carpenters survived a terrible auto accident that left Kim critically injured and Krickitt in a coma. When she awoke, head trauma suffered in the wreck claimed 18 months of her memories including all recollection of meeting, dating and marrying Kim.

Read more...

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

October Baby - In Theaters March 23

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Get Your Tickets Today!

On March 23, a beautiful movie telling a compelling story about the sanctity of life comes to movie theaters across America. The support OCTOBER BABY receives in its first weekend in theaters, March 23-25, is the key to how long the movie will run where it opens and whether it will expand to additional theaters.

Clear your calendars, invite your friends, and get your tickets today to see this powerful movie on its opening weekend. Are you ready to cast your vote for life at the movie box office on opening weekend?

Get Tickets at OctoberBabyMovie.net

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

Keep Life Flowing In Sunday School Through Promotion

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

By Ken Braddy

There are two bodies of water close to my home. One is a stagnant pond into which no fresh water flows. The water is dirty, smelly, and has a layer of green algae.

Classes that don't promote adults become like this pond. Relationships become stagnant when new members can't make friends because they have been together so long. Leaders stagnate because they continue serving in their roles without developing new leaders.

The other body of water is a flowing stream. It's clear, has small fish in it, and it has no foul smell.

Which of the two bodies of water do you think we find more attractive? Which one is better for the neighborhood?

Now think about your Sunday school class. I hope you can say it resembles a running stream. But if you think it more closely resembles a stagnant pond, there's hope! Classes that show little influx of people can again see new life.

Read more...

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

Sherwood's Michael Catt on 'Courageous,' box office success and (possibly) another movie

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Michael Catt, senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga., spoke to the Florida Baptist Witness about his church's new movie "Courageous" during a visit to the Pastors' Conference at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

Sherwood has produced four films: "Flywheel," "Facing the Giants," "Fireproof," and then Courageous. Each has grossed more than its predecessor.

On its opening weekend in September, Courageous finished No. 4 in total gross, No. 1 in per-theater average, and it was the No. 1 new movie.

Courageous was released on DVD Jan. 17.

Read more...

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

Pastor's Sermon Parallels Sunday School Lesson

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

When Montia Setzler comes to the pulpit to preach during a "Lecture Lab" series, many worshippers already know where to open their Bibles.

It's not about being too predictable as a preacher -- far from it; it's that virtually every adult Sunday School class at the church is spending time in the Scripture text from which Setzler is preaching.

Welcome to Lecture Lab at Magnolia Avenue Baptist Church in Riverside, Calif., where Setzler's sermon series follows the Bible passages that Sunday School classes are studying in the Explore the Bible curriculum from LifeWay Christian Resources."

We've done the Lecture Lab approach on several occasions," said Setzler, who has served nearly 14 years as senior pastor of the congregation across from California Baptist University. "Based from the Explore the Bible curriculum, we've gone through 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon."

Read more...

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

The Gospel Project Webcast - March 14th!

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The Gospel Project Webcast
March 14, 2012 at 2:00 pm CDT(Wednesday)

On March 14th, get an inside look at The Gospel Project, LifeWay's new gospel-centered Bible study resource, through a special webcast event. Trevin Wax, Managing Editor of The Gospel Project, will host as Advisory Council members Matt Chandler and J.D. Greear, and General Editor Ed Stetzer talk about gospel-centeredness in the lives of Christians and the church today.

During the event, you'll hear from each speaker individually, followed by a Q&A with Trevin Wax. Matt Chandler will discuss the need to make the gospel explicit in our small groups, J.D. Greear will discuss the need to ground our life-application in the gospel, and Ed Stetzer will talk about the need for gospel-centeredness to move us out on mission for God's Kingdom. At the end, all four will gather for a panel discussion.

The Gospel Project Webcast will be an insightful and compelling exploration of the gospel and the way it transforms our lives, our churches, and the world. Don't miss it!

Learn more here now...and sign-on to the webcast here on March 14th!

Learn more about The Gospel Project here.

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

"More Living" Magazine - Available September 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

More Living Magazine encourages Boomers to accomplish great things for God; embrace the opportunity to go to the lost world for Christ's sake; mentor younger generations; and so much...More.

More Living gives church leaders the tools to fully engage Boomers in discipleship and service. It's easy for your church to provide More Living. First issue releases September 2012. Buy in bulk and save!

Flip through a sample issue of More Living.

And give us your feedback here.

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

"God & Me" Ministery Helps For February 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The February 2012 edition of the God & Me Devotionals Helps is available as a free download. This two-page PDF helps you find illustrations and connect with your folks who are reading the following devotionals:

LifeWalk: February’s LifeWalk helps you better understand the Old Testament.

Stand Firm (for men): Featuring NASCAR’s Trevor Bayne.

Journey (for women): including feature on "God’s Practical Power."

Open Windows: Readings from Argile Smith, David Jenkins, Michael Brooks, Phyllis Godwin, Ruth McHaney Danner, and Lorie L. Keene.

ec (for teens): Includes a feature on Major League Baseball’s Albert Pujols.

There's nothing like a few minutes alone with God to set the day on course. Encourage members of all ages to get in the Word this month by looking at a topic common to several of our February devotionals: living for Jesus - no matter what. Experiencing this vital "God and me" time every day will disciple and transform them, and as a result, your church.

Access the God & Me Download here...

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

Secret Church coming...4.6.12

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I'm not sure if you or your congregation participated in the Secret Church last year but 1,362 groups totaling 45,080 people were a part of the event via a LifeWay simulcast. And the impact was phenomenal!

This coming Good Friday, April 6, your church or small group has the opportunity to participate in yet another Secret Church. The simulcast is six intense hours of Bible teaching and prayer led by pastor and author David Platt. It’s a wonderful, worshipful, and meaningful way for your group to look forward to celebrating the resurrection of Christ.

Learn what other people are saying about Secret Church and register today!

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

"Family & Me" Ministry Helps For February 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The February edition of the Family & Me Magazine Helps is now available as a 2-page complimentary download.

Love is in the air. And February’s magazines offer an array of articles related to love, such as the two stages of romantic love, two 80-somethings tying the knot, parenting with purpose, and the path to purity ... all from a Christian worldview.

Download "Family & Me" Helps here.

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

LifeWay's Gospel Project To Provide In-depth Curriculum

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

For the first time in more than a decade, LifeWay Christian Resources is releasing a new ongoing Bible study series for children, students and adults under one theme.

The Gospel Project is an in-depth and Gospel-centered Bible study designed to help participants examine the deeper theological and missional concepts in the text. It is slated for preorder in June and features a three-year study plan with 13-week units. Each unit uses an age-appropriate voice, depth and course of study. Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, serves as general editor for The Gospel Project.

Read the article on Baptist Press here ...

Explore the Gospel Project website (gospelproject.com) here ...

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

LifeWay VBS 2012: Amazing Wonders Aviation

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

2012 is finally here! That means Vacation Bible School time is right around the corner. It’s nice to know that lifeway.com/vbs is just a click away. This is the place to view what every age group (preschoolers through adults) will be studying during VBS. You can download free clip art, view VBS promo and rotation videos, listen to the VBS music, and share ideas with others. While you’re there be sure to order your VBS 2012 Super Sampler before you leave!

Another wonderful online resource to tap into is our VBS blog. Follow our blog and you’ll not only get to know a little about the people who create LifeWay’s VBS, you’ll be among the first to hear about everything related to VBS 2012.

Become a fan of VBS on Facebook! You’ll connect with other VBS fans and stay up-to-date on all things VBS.

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

Give Men Three New Reasons To Come To Your Church

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:32:00 +0000

Before you can help men get on a spiritual pathway, you have to get them connected to your church. Three new simulcast events give men a compelling reason to attend, even those who are already coming on Sunday. Click here to learn more about “Get In” and the LifeWay men’s ministry strategy. Visit www.lifeway.com/men to learn more about these new simulcast events.

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

Super Bowl Provides Super Outreach Opportunity

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

By Jason Ellerbrook

Last year, more than 111 million people watched Super Bowl XLV to see the Green Bay Packers defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers. That's a lot of people in one place at one time.This year, the NFL has given its blessing for churches to broadcast the Super Bowl, relaxing a previously restrictive policy and allowing public showings of the big game on TVs larger than 55 inches. Churches can now legally have a Super Bowl party without violating the league's copyright.

Read more...

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

Teach The Bible For Life Conference - September 28-29

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

“How can I tell if the people I work with in my ministry are maturing in their faith?” That’s a question many leaders ask, and for good reason. They want to know if what they are doing is making a difference in the lives of their people.

Teach the Bible for Life will help Bible study leaders of all age groups and ministries develop their personal Bible study skills in reading and interpreting Scripture and help equip leaders to teach the Bible in order to make a difference in the lives of preschoolers, children, students, and adults!

Keynote speakers include Dr. George Guthrie, author of Read the Bible for Life, who will help you understand and interpret the Scripture on your own. Dr. Gary Bredfelt, author of Great Leader, Great Teacher: Recovering the Biblical Vision for Leadership and Creative Bible Teaching will help you learn how to teach the Bible to impact the lives of your members.

Choose from 6 hours of Early Bird and Breakout Sessions for Pastors, Ministers of Education, Sunday School Directors, as well as teachers of Adults, Students, Children, and Preschoolers!

Join other Sunday School and Bible study leaders for an interactive, high-impact two-day event! Learn how to read and teach the Bible for life!

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

Power To Win Offers Super Bowl Outreach Opportunity

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The Super Bowl is the largest annual sporting event in the United States. Last year’s event drew 111 million viewers. Many churches and small groups will use the event to bring people together to share in the excitement of the game, the food, and the fun.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the believers in your church could share something else—the gospel of Jesus?

LifeWay has partnered with Sports Spectrum to make it possible and easy to add a faith component to the big game. Their Power to Win product offers a variety of evangelisticmaterials, including a DVD to show at halftime or before the game. Its main goals are to reach the lost and also encourage people in their faith. Past hosts include Reggie White, Tony Dungy, and Kurt Warner. This year, Power To Win will have multiple hosts: Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday and Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher, along with former players Hunter Smith and Heath Evans. Their stories will be focused on character and grace. Click here to see a video preview. As always, the video will finish with the plan for salvation. Because of this resource, more than 65,000 peoplehave made commitments to Christ and thousands more have recommitted their lives to Christ.

The Power To Win video is not just for Sunday football; it can be used for youth events, men’s ministry events, and even children’s church. Click here to learn more about Power to Win.

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

LifeWay Films Available For Licensing By Your Church

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Behind every great movie is a great license to show it.
There’s no need to secure a speaker or entertainment for your couples’ Valentine banquet next month—not when you’re showing a LifeWay-licensed movie. Just transform your fellowship hall or family life center into a beautiful dinner theater and show a great faith-based movie.

Choose from:

• COURAGEOUS • No Greater Love • FIREPROOF

Part of a growing library of titles available for licensing by your church, any of these three films offer you a unique tool to reach couples in your church. And the titles provide a great conversation-starter so that your couples can easily invite unchurched friends to attend, too. Plus, you can immediately follow up on showing COURAGEOUS or FIREPROOF at the banquet with a weekly Bible study based on each of these titles.

And because your License lasts for a year, you can show your movie repeatedly:
• Couples’ date and dessert nights
• Saturday matinees
• Men’s tailgate events
• Women’s Ministry dinners

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Pick a title and purchase your License today (DVD included).

Visit lifeway.com/films for more information on our growing library of great family films.

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

Show Courageous And Use A Store In A Box

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

When you show COURAGEOUS, you can also use Store in a Box to extend the ministry impact of your event and offset expenses.

Here's how it works:
1. Go to www.lifeway.com/storeinabox
2. Choose the Courageous items you'd like to sell at your church.
3. We'll pack up your Store in the Box and ship it to your church for free.
4. Set up a store and sell products before and after the movie.
5. Your church gets a 15 percent incentive credit on all sales.
6. Return any unsold merchandise (that's still in good, salable condition).
7. Use the credit for LifeWay products, such as Bible studies or another movie license.

Visit www.lifeway.com/storeinabox for details.

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

Film "October Baby" Sends Message Of Hope And Healing

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

A tasteful, high-quality, and uplifting film, October Baby suggests that sometimes our future hope can be found in our hidden past. The film tells the story of Hannah Larson who entered a world that didn't want her. In spite of a loving home, she inexplicably felt like an outcast who had no right to exist.

This is the premise for October Baby, a March release from Provident Films. Nineteen-year-old Hannah already feels different enough with certain physical limitations, so her emotional state is somewhat fragile. When medical tests point back to her difficult birth, she learns that she was actually adopted after a failed abortion attempt.

Touching on everyday issues of parenting, college life, and young love, October Baby opens the door to much deeper issues related to abortion, adoption, and broken family relationships. This film can be a wonderful healing agent for those in your church and community who have struggled with any of these situations.

Rent a theater, purchase tickets in bulk, or plan small-group outings and use the film as a springboard for conversations and discussions around the film's topics. Learn more about the film at OctoberBabyMovie.net.

In April, LifeWay will release an accompanying Bible study called Every Life is Beautiful. The four-session study will guide participants through a more in-depth exploration of understanding who you are in Christ, forgiveness, and restoration.

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

Houston's First Baptist Goes With HCSB

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Back in October I posted here Nine Reasons You Will Love The HCSB. It was about that same time that I was having lots of conversations with pastors and other church leaders about their choice of Bible translations they were using in their ministries. One of those conversations was with Houston's First Baptist Church.

You can read here Pastor Gregg Matte's comments about their decision to begin using the HCSB in all their ministries and why.

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

"Family & Me" Devotional Helps For January 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Congratulations! You've made it through one of the toughest months of the year for church leaders. I know you share my gratefulness to God that we are the servants and He is the Master. We go where He says, and do what He tells us to do. The Master takes care of the plan, the resources, and the outcome!

The January 2012 Family & Me Magazine helps is now available. This 2-page PDF download offers solid family ministry helps for pastors, staff, and age-group leaders.

January's issues offer an array of articles to disciple, encourage, and challenge your church on topics like Scripture memorization, ministry to foster children, pornography, idols, learning to pray, finding significance, and more - all from a Christian worldview. LifeWay magazines - underscoring your ministry, extending your reach.

Download the January 2012 Family & Me 2-page PDF now...

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

"God & Me" Devotional Helps For January 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The January 2012 God & Me Devotionals helps is now available. This 2-page PDF download offers a snapshot of the main themes in this months devotionals. This month’s topics include ending spiritual dry spells, trusting the Word of God, and being a friend to someone who is different. Experiencing this vital "God and me" time every day will disciple and transform members of all ages, and as a result, your church.

Click here to download this complimentary two-page PDF with insights to help you find sermon and teaching illustrations in the following devotionals: LifeWalk, Open Windows, Stand Firm (for men), Journey (for women), ec (for teens) and the three devotionals for kids (More, Adventure, Bible Express).

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

Ten Goal-setting Questions For Ministers

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

By Bruce Raley

I have two favorite days of the year - New Year's and Easter. There is something special about both of these days for me. I think the commonality is beginnings. Easter represents the new life in Christ because of the resurrection. New Year's Day represents a fresh start at another year of life.

The beginning of a new year is a great time for evaluation, goal-setting and strategic planning. Think through the following questions as a guide to help develop new year as a year of progress and fulfillment in your education ministry:

1. What did you find as most fulfilling in your ministry last year?

2. What did you do in last year that you definitely will not do again this year? (It is always good to acknowledge areas of ministry or ministry projects that may have seemed good ideas at the time but proved to be otherwise.)

3. Answering in a single statement, what do you want to see accomplished in your ministry area this year?

4. To whom will you connect to help you grow in your spiritual, professional and personal life? (Consider meeting on a regular basis with others who are involved in the same ministry. There is something therapeutic, educational and encouraging about being with others who "speak the same language.")

5. In whom will you personally invest significant time and energy this year to help disciple them?

6. Define three or four areas of your work that you will place greater emphasis and energy this year.

7. Identify at least ten leaders that need your attention in order for them to go to the next level of leadership and ministry.

8. How will you manage your time effectively so you will be healthy (physically, spiritually, emotionally, relationally)?

9. What will you initiate this year in order to strengthen relationships on your ministry team (up-line as well as horizontal or subordinate relationships)?

10. What have you planned as an educational experience that will help you as a lifelong learner?

It has been said to not look back unless that is the direction you want to go. For most, we desire more in the new year than we experienced in the last year. Take time to evaluate the past, but quickly move forward into new areas of experiences and challenges.

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat

Three Important Church Trends

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Ford) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

The Exchange: Three Important Church Trends
by Ed Stetzer

I am often asked about the future of the church and, as much as I wish I knew the future, I don't. What I do have, however, is an accumulation of research, access to some of the best ministry thinkers and leaders across a spectrum of denominations and movements, and a critical eye on the ebb and flow of church culture. So, in looking at the trends in our churches, here are three I believe are worth taking note of today.

Decline

Everywhere are tales of the decline of the American church. Some doomsayers are predicting evangelicalism will die in a decade. This type of Chicken Little-ism is unnecessary.

The truth is that, yes, there is decline among self-identified Christians in America. According to the latest American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS), the number of self-professing Christians is down 11 percent over two decades. But, that same ARIS study also revealed an actual rise in the number of evangelicals.

There are concerns — and I would say that we are increasingly losing our "home field advantage" in our culture. Yet, Christianity is not in collapse. It is, however, declining in influence and increasingly being marginalized in culture.

To address the trend, we need a renewed vision and passion for God's mission in our churches.

Dropouts

Like the decline trend, the dropout trend is both troubling and troublesome. It is troubling because it is an ongoing trend. Young adults are dropping out of the church at a disturbing rate after graduating high school. But, again, although it is troublesome, the data is not as scary as some proclaim.

Our LifeWay Research data has places the dropout number at 70 percent. But this number is not as definite as it sounds. It is not as if 70 percent of all young adults vanish in some kind of reverse rapture. More specifically, 70 percent of young adults who were active for at least one year in high school drop out for at least one year between 18-22. Half of those who leave stay gone. But then, half of those who leave return. Among evangelical churches, the number of dropouts is also lower.

To address the trend, we need parents and churches to get serious about equipping students to live their faith.

Discipleship

Or lack thereof. The elephant in the Christian church today is that we are not seeing robust disciple-making taking place. You are more likely to find evangelicals affirming that there is more than one way to get to heaven today than you were 15 or 20 years ago. Why? We've done great at getting them in the door, but we've done terrible at actually growing them up and grounding them in the faith.

Many churches are now rediscovering ways to push more depth from the Sunday morning stage, better ways to assimilate the crowds into small groups and discipling relationships, more organic ways to nurture spiritual formation, and stronger ways to create missional expansion in their communities and around the world.

To address the trend, we need to get serious about teaching believers who they are in Christ and how they are to live that out.

Trends matter — we look at them to see where we are and they help us to consider what we should be doing. With God's grace and discerning leadership, we can address these trends in biblically driven ways as we engage the future together.

Until next time...share the journey and enjoy the ride!

Pat