Revitalizing a Church with a Terrible Reputation

-
0

SUBSCRIBE TODAY: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play

When your church is well-known in the community, it’s typically for something really good…or something that’s not so good. Today, we tackle the latter and discuss how to get past leading a church with a terrible reputation.

Episode Highlights:

  • If your community is growing rapidly and your church is in decline, you need to assess why.
  • Most churches don’t have a negative reputation in the community—they have no reputation at all.
  • Serving local schools is the most direct way to impact your community. By serving those in the schools, you’re directly impacting local area families.
  • Your church can often have a negative reputation because of the negative attitudes of the members about the community.

The six keys that we discuss are:

  1. Assess the situation accurately
  2. Get feedback from community members
  3. Start serving the community
  4. Start celebrating the community
  5. Spend more time with the doers than the whiners
  6. Consider re-planting

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Revitalize & Replant is sponsored by the North American Mission Board and ChurchReplanters.com. More than 10% of churches in North America are at risk of closing and the North American Mission Board is committed to reversing this trend by decreasing the death rate of existing churches while simultaneously increasing the birth rate of new churches. To learn more about what it means to become a replanting pastor or to explore resources…

… Read More

—

Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

قالب وردپرس

Stop criticising ‘so-called Generation Snowflake’ for their mental health issues, Bishop says

-
0
Stop criticising ‘so-called Generation Snowflake’ for their mental health issues, Bishop says

The Bishop of Tonbridge’s comments were made at a conference that explored the role churches can play in supporting young people with their mental well-being.

The Rt Rev Simon Burton-Jones told attendees of the event in Christ Church, Tunbridge Wells: “A major NHS report last week into the mental health of young people was sobering.

 

“Among other findings, it showed that nearly one in four young women has a mental illness, with depression and anxiety being especially common. We know something is not right and it appears to be getting worse for both young women and young men, and symptoms are presenting at an earlier age.

“Faced with such uncertainty, some people fall back on easy remedies or, better still, finger-pointing, so others take the blame.”

Drug and alcohol charity Addaction found in a recent poll that a third of schoolgirls with mental health problems have hurt themselves or attempted suicide.

Bishop Simon said churches ought to be the place young people can turn to as “churches have the capacity to offer care across the generations and to use the sizeable local spaces we have to bless those who have no safe space”.

He added: “There is already a developing generational rift between baby-boomers and millennials, with the latter well aware that their futures look much less rosy because of decisions taken by their elders that impact upon debt, pay and…

… Read More

—

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

قالب وردپرس

British cardinal set to become a saint

-
0
British cardinal set to become a saint

The canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman is progressing to the next stage after a second miracle – a requirement for sainthood – was attributed to him.

The miracle, which concerned the healing of an American pregnant woman who prayed for Cardinal Newman’s intercession, has been authenticated following an investigation by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

 

The Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth Philip Egan wrote in a newsletter to church members: “It looks now as if Newman might be canonised, all being well, later next year.”

Born in London in 1801, Cardinal Newman became a Catholic priest in 1847 after converting from Anglicanism.

 

He became prominent for his involvement within the Oxford Movement, a group of Anglicans who sought to see a return of Catholic traditions to Church of England congregations.

His canonisation still requires approval from a commission of bishops and an announcement from Pope Francis.

AP Photo/Andrew Medichini

 

Cardinal Newman was beatified – a step towards becoming a saint – by Pope Benedict (pictured below) during a visit to Britain in September 2010.

Sister Kathleen Dietz from the Diocese of Erie in Pennsylvania told the US-based Catholic News Agency: “Cardinal Newman was a man of…

… Read More

—

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

قالب وردپرس

Twitter blocks writer for saying ‘men aren’t women’

-
0
Twitter blocks writer for saying ‘men aren’t women’

Meghan Murphy is a freelance writer and journalist who podcasts and writes about feminist issues. She was recently blocked from Twitter for questioning the validity of transgenderism.

In her response, she notes that “Twitter knowingly permits graphic pornography and death threats on the platform (I have reported countless violent threats, the vast majority of which have gone unaddressed), [but] they won’t allow me to state very basic facts, such as ‘men aren’t women.’”

She adds: “This is hardly an abhorrent thing to say, nor should it be considered ‘hateful’ to ask questions about the notion that people can change sex, or ask for explanations about transgender ideology.”

Here’s her problem: Twitter has changed its rules to ban “misgendering or deadnaming of transgender individuals.” For those (like me) who didn’t know what these offenses are: “misgendering” is using a pronoun that contradicts a person’s perceived gender identity, while “deadnaming” means using a person’s “birth name” rather than the name they now prefer.

For instance, if I send a tweet describing Caitlyn Jenner as “him” rather than “her” or refer to this person as “Bruce,” I risk being blocked by Twitter.

Man disrobes in women’s locker room

In light of Twitter’s decision to enforce LGBTQ ideology, the following story, if posted on my Twitter account, could cause my expulsion.

Ben Shapiro is a popular conservative writer and Orthodox Jew. A fellow congregant told him that many of the women in their congregation exercise at a female-only gym for modesty purposes.

However, this month, a transgender woman–“a biological male who suffers from gender dysphoria,” as Shapiro describes the person–came to the gym.

This person, who retains his male biological characteristics, walked into the locker room and proceeded to disrobe. When management told him that he could use a private dressing room, he refused, announcing that he…

… Read More

—

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Denison Forum.

قالب وردپرس

‘Let him be’, Pope Francis allows mute child to upstage him

-
0
‘Let him be’, Pope Francis allows mute child to upstage him

Wenzel Wirth, who had travelled with his family to Rome for the day from Verona, ran around the Catholic leader while clergy were reciting teaching in various languages.

Chuckling, Francis said: “And he has something that made me think – he’s free. Undisciplined-ly free, but he’s free. It made me think, ‘am I so free before God?'”

 

“When Jesus says we have to be like children, it means we need to have the freedom that a child has before his father. I think this child preaches to all of us.”

The Vatican gendarmes and the Swiss Guards stood by as the six year darted around the platform, to the amusement of audience members.

AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

 

When the boy’s Argentine-Italian mother tried to fetch her son, she explained to Pope Francis he could not speak.

Ariel Wirth told The Associated Press that Wenzel also experiences behavioural issues and tiredness from a long journey could have prompted Wednesday’s episode.

AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

 

Explaining how the family looks after him at home, Mr Wirth said: “We try to let him be free. He has to express himself, and we live without hiding his problems.”

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

… Read More

—

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

قالب وردپرس

Calls to unseat Church of England rejected by Government

-
0
Calls to unseat Church of England rejected by Government

One Tory frontbencher told the House of Lords on Wednesday there were no plans to “destabilise” the historical relationship.

Lord Young of Cookham (pictured above) said: “Who we are as a country is defined by our church and our state and the relationship that has been developing over 400 years between them.

 

“The Government value that relationship; we think it adds value to both sides and is welcomed by the country. We have no plans to destabilise that relationship.”

The peer was responding to a question from Labour’s Lord Berkeley (pictured below) who suggested Prince Charles ought to embrace a secular state when he becomes king.

He asked: “Is it not time for the new monarch, when he comes, to embrace this secular state and perhaps swear an oath to Parliament?”

Parliamentlive.tv

 

The Queen swore an oath to the Church during her 1953 coronation. The monarch has been head of the Church of England since it was founded by Henry VIII in the 16th century.

Lord Berkeley pointed to figures from the National Secular Society which show the proportion of Britons identifying as Church of England has fallen from 31 per cent to 14 per cent since 2002.

As the official church, 26 senior Church of England bishops – including the archbishops of Canterbury and York – sit in the House of Lords. They are collectively known as the Lords Spiritual.

…

… Read More

—

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

قالب وردپرس

Joyce Meyer Devotional 29 November 2018 — Avoid the Slingers

CM Editor
-
0

Topic: Avoid the Slingers [Joyce Meyer Devotional 29 November 2018]

There were people in the Bible called “slingers” who defeated their enemies by slinging stones and throwing dirt into their wells, contaminating their life source of water (see 2 Kings 3:25).

We all know people who sling accusation, judgment, criticism, and faultfinding at others. We certainly don’t want slingers in our life, and we don’t want to become slingers either.

Don’t be a slinger who contaminates your own faith or the faith of those around you. Spending time with God will fill you with “living water” (see John 7:38). You will be edified and become a source of encouragement for others all day long.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I know it’s only through spending time with You that I can become a source of encouragement and blessing to others. Help me to protect this time and seek You diligently. Help me to become someone who is full of faith and who strengthens the faith of others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

The post Joyce Meyer Devotional 29 November 2018 — Avoid the Slingers appeared first on Flatimes.

TREM Devotional 29 November 2018 – God Is Committed To You

CM Editor
-
0

Topic: God Is Committed To You [TREM Devotional 29 November 2018]

“And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.” 1 Kings 17:8, 9 KJV

Beloved, if your hope is only dependent on natural hope, you will faint. So you must switch on to supernatural hope. It is an earnest expectation! You wake up every morning expecting that something great will take place in your life. That is why we confess that every day we are getting better physically, spiritually, materially and financially. In every area of our lives, everything is getting better. It can never be worse. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (Proverbs 4:18 KJV) You can’t remain the same way. So you must look out for the best and celebrate your day as a gift from God.

This is why the Psalmist says: “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it” I am not going to mourn. I am not going to weep. I will rejoice because I am around. Don’t make plans to die. If you don’t know what to do, buy bread put butter and eat it. Don’t just sit down and behave as if your life has ended. Make your life exciting. Serving God is exciting. God had to dry the brook not because He wanted Elijah to suffer but because He didn’t want the faithful woman in Zarephath to perish in the recession.

Many of you don’t even know how committed God is to you. If you sit back and understand how committed God is to you as a person, you will not be reducing yourself. He is committed to you! That is why He sent His son Jesus to die on your behalf. And the scriptures say, if need be, God will give men for your sake. He will do whatever it takes to ensure that you don’t go down.

Further Reading: Isaiah 41:8-20, 43:1-7,

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Ezekiel 35-36; Evening- 2 Peter 1

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

The post TREM Devotional 29 November 2018 – God Is Committed To You appeared first on Flatimes.

Open Heavens for Teens 29 November 2018 – Healing Through Obedience

CM Editor
-
0

Topic: Healing Through Obedience [Open Heavens for Teens 29 November 2018]

Memorise: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shall glorify me. Psalm 50:15

Read: 2 Kings 5:9-14 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 41-42, 2 Peter 1

MESSAGE:

From the story of the 10 lepers recorded in Luke 17:11-19, we learn that they did not allow Jesus to enter their village before they cried to Him for help. It is said that opportunity one lost may never be regained. The reason many are where they are today is because they failed to pray when they should have. If you fail to call for help, help will not come.

When the lepers cried to the Lord, He told them what to do. As they obeyed, they saw that they were healed. This shows that there is healing in obedience. Each time you act on God’s instruction, you receive a measure of healing capable of affecting a specific area of your life. Obedience brings healing, that will then mean that disobedience brings sickness. Are you sick in your body? Is your academic performance sick? Find out if there is any area of your life where your obedience is incomplete and immediately take corrective actions.

Key Point: Respond to God’s call to obedience and you will be healed of every sickness in your body.

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 2:

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:
Trust and obey, for theres no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.

The post Open Heavens for Teens 29 November 2018 – Healing Through Obedience appeared first on Flatimes.

DCLM Daily Manna 29 November 2018 – Valley Of Vision

CM Editor
-
0

Topic: Valley Of Vision [DCLM Daily Manna 29 November 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Isaiah 22:1-14 (KJV)

Key Verse: “The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?“ (Isaiah 22:1).

MESSAGE:

Could you remember the first time you posed for a colour photograph? How did you look in the picture? Good! We have pleasure to introduce to you the man who made that possible; a man whose research efforts successfully produced the first colour photograph in 1861. We are talking about James Clerk Maxwell, who believed that “God had endowed human beings with the power to investigate His handiworks and to harness the power of this created world”.

Prophet Isaiah was given a vision concerning Jerusalem. He saw Jerusalem in anguish and pain. She was full of stirs and a tumult in spite of being a joyous city. Her slain men were not killed with sword or dead in battle but with famine. All the rulers who fled were overtaken and bound by archers. It is punishment for sins. Judah was warned but would not repent.

Vision is the picture you have in your mind or heart that makes you look beyond yourself, ability, environment and your present state. Vision is crucial in life. There are different kinds of vision: Satan-inspired, self-generated, society-imposed and Spirit-inspired.

If the Lord painted on your mind a picture of what He wants you to be or to do, then run with it. But you need to understand that you cannot do it alone. Therefore you will need virtue. Vision without virtue is destructive. As a believer, you should have the vision to leave the world a better place morally than you met it; the vision to improve the lot of people around you. For born again Christians, the right kind of vision is to reach out for the unsaved and backslidden with the gospel.

Thought For The Day: Where there is no vision, the people perish.

Bible Reading In One Year: 1 Corinthians 1-4

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE 

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

Flatimes’ Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

The post DCLM Daily Manna 29 November 2018 – Valley Of Vision appeared first on Flatimes.

1...1,5201,5211,522...3,894Page 1,521 of 3,894