Lawrence and Olivia would not consider themselves great neighbors, but they felt they were friendly. One morning they discussed how they could improve and concluded that they should make a better effort at being friendly. Later that month Olivia noticed a moving van at the house across the street. Having baked a couple of loaves … Continue reading A Friendly Church
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A Welcoming Church Atmosphere
There is plenty of church growth material available in the form of books, online research, lectures, etc. Many of them offer great advice and strategies to bring seekers and the unchurched to your congregation. Some books focus on different programs. Some focus on what one might call gimmicks or marketing campaigns. Others break down research … Continue reading A Welcoming Church Atmosphere
Why are they leaving? What can we do?
Yesterday we looked at four reasons that people are leaving churches. Now the question remains; What can churches do? First churches must return to the basics. When the church at Ephesus became mis-focused after a few years, Jesus encourages them through the Apostle to “return to your first love.” This concept needs proclaiming from the … Continue reading Why are they leaving? What can we do?
Why People Leave Churches
The question of why members are leaving churches is weighing heavy on my mind this morning. This is a discussion I have with church leaders on a regular basis. I believe that there are four reasons why people leave churches. I also have four suggestions on how those of us in church leadership and as … Continue reading Why People Leave Churches
What Destroys Churches: Worldliness
As we continue looking at what destroys churches; we know that we can overcome persecution with courageous faith and we know that a continual focus on God’s Word will keep us from falling prey to false teaching. There are two more dangers that face churches. These two dangers are by far the most difficult that … Continue reading What Destroys Churches: Worldliness
What Destroys Churches: What Do We Teach?
Friday, we began this series on What Destroys a Church. We looked at Persecution and how we can stand against it. You can read that post HERE. Another favorite tool of Satan that he uses to destroy churches is False Teaching. If he can convince us to follow his cunningly devised lies he can make … Continue reading What Destroys Churches: What Do We Teach?
What Destroys a Church?
This weekend I begin a new chapter in my life. Sunday, May 25 is my first Sunday serving the Central Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Some of you may be familiar with Central from April 27, 2011. The tornado outbreak destroyed the building but not the Church. Fire, storms, earthquakes, or floods may damage … Continue reading What Destroys a Church?
Is The Bible from God? Pt IV
If you have not had the opportunity to read the first three articles in this series, here they are: Part I Part II Part III Today we will look at the united theme of the Bible. The fact that 40 penmen spanning 1,600 years writing in three different languages, and from multiple locations wrote the … Continue reading Is The Bible from God? Pt IV
History Speaks
The following quote appears to be a compilation of things said by a number of people in the late 1700's. Some researches doubt their authenticity even pointing to a businessman making this statement almost word for word in a speech he gave in the 1940's with no reference to any historian. A decade later politicians … Continue reading History Speaks
Why Do We Fight Each Other?
Many years ago, even before men like Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone, or any other American Restoration Movement leader said it; and even before the "Paulicans" in Britain and France circa A.D. 500-1200, there were men calling those who would follow Christ to follow only the Scriptures as their guide for life, congregational … Continue reading Why Do We Fight Each Other?
Driving Thought 