Earth Walk

_{By Martin R. DeHaan II}

After the Apollo XV mission, Colonel James Irwin related some of the high points of his experience. He told of weightless bodies floating free in the space capsule, the rising crescent of the earth as seen from the moon, and the triumphal splashdown before a watching world.

Irwin also spoke of the impact the experience had on his spiritual life. He said that from the lunar surface he sensed both the glory of God and the plight of earthbound man. As he came back to earth, he realized he couldn't content himself with being merely a celebrity. He would have to be a servant, telling his fellowman of a better way to live. Irwin concluded by saying that if we think it a great event to go to the moon, how much greater is the wonder that God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ!

Because man walked on the moon, science and technology have made tremendous advances. But because God walked on earth, we know both our origin and our destiny. We can know our Creator personally, and we can live in His light. Through Jesus' sinless life and sacrificial death we have the joy of sins forgiven and an abundant life--all because God walked on earth.

Personal Note: Isn’t it amazing that because God came to earth and walked among men, we have the opportunity to go heaven and we can walk with God. Add to that the promise that He walks with us every day of our earthly lives. May those thoughts bring added dimensions to your Christmas!

YOU MIGHT INTERESTED IN ....

LifeWalk: a year long plan to read through the Bible - http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?id=005107653.2010-01

Women's Study, "Ruth: Loss, Love, & Legacy" by Kelly Minter - http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?id=005189427&CID=WomenNews-emailCRD20091201-Ruth

Simple Life, developing a simple game plan for life, by Thom & Art Rainer - http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?id=1415868123

Breaking Free: The Journey by Beth Moore (updated version) - http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?id=005125846

Transformational Discipleship by Roy Edgemon & Barry Sneed, a guide for developing an intentional plan of discipleship - http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?id=005289771

Finding Ways to Encourage Your Wife (Pastors Today) http://www.lifeway.com/article/?id=169827&rss=20091123

Great Prayers in the Bible, 19-Page Complimentary Download - http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D169795%252526M%25253D200825%2C00.html

The ABC's of Being on Mission with God

By Tobin Perry

Attitude: You'll face all kinds of obstacles as you work to fulfill the Great Commission. Keeping a good attitude can be the difference between having a good missions experience and a bad one.

Bible: The Bible is your essential handbook for missions. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible not only explains why we should be on mission, but you'll also find in the New Testament examples of time-tested techniques for telling the world about Jesus.

Commitment: There's nothing easy about obeying the Great Commission. It carries considerable cost, perhaps even your very life. When you're on mission, your commitment to Christ will be tested.

Dependence: From the day God tells you to follow Him on mission, you'll need to depend on Him every step of the way. Ask any missionary!

Enthusiasm: Enthusiasm is contagious, even on mission. As an ambassador for Christ, your enthusiasm for your Savior will go a long way toward showing people that they need a relationship with Him.

Flashlight: A good missionary follows the Boy Scout motto: Be prepared. When you're on mission telling people about the Light of the World, bring a portable light source to help you navigate in dark places.

Good health: While on mission, you might find yourself in a very strenuous physical environment. Make sure you understand all of the physical requirements for a trip before you go, and then talk with your doctor about what you need to do in order to be physically prepared for the trip.

Humor: When you're on mission with God, expect anything and everything. As a good missionary, remember to take God seriously while not taking yourself too seriously.

Intentional: Mission trips aren't vacations. As a kingdom messenger, focus on your purpose! Be intentional about sharing the gospel.

Jesus: What Would Jesus Do has become a cliche, yet that's exactly what you need to be thinking as you share God's love with hurting people in your community or around the world. You may be the only Jesus some people will ever see.

Kum-by-yah: You will find that some of the most memorable moments in your life will be with the community or should we say kommunity that you develop while on mission, particularly among those on mission with you. But a word of warning if you suggest singing Kum-by-yah 50 times in a row, you might find yourself walking back home.

Languages: When you talk about Jesus, it always helps if you can speak in the native or heart language of the people you want to reach. However, when that's not possible, keep in mind that LOVE is a universal language.

Map: Whether you're traveling across an ocean or just across town, it helps to know where you're going. Take the time to find a good map and use it.

Nations: Gods concern for the nations goes all the way back to Genesis 12. If God cares about the nations, so should you. Don't limit your missions involvement to people who look like you and talk like you. Step out of your comfort zone and into a whole new culture which might be just down the street!

On your knees: Nothing is more essential to being on mission than prayer. Spend a significant amount of time praying for the person or people you'll be trying to reach. You'll be amazed at how God answers those prayers!

Passport: Being on mission means you should be prepared to go anywhere. If God sends you overseas, you'll definitely need a passport.

Quality time with the Lord: Spend quality time with God before you join Him on mission. Let Him tell you how you can be a part of His work and then join Him where He is working.

Real: As you share your faith in Christ, be real and authentic. Nonbelievers can tell when you're insincere or phony, and you'll just end up losing credibility in their eyes.

Servants heart: As you go on mission, be willing to do anything God asks. Whether you're leading someone to Christ, making breakfast for the homeless or cleaning toilets, you can be confident that you're making a kingdom difference! The prophet Jeremiah even says its among the mundane matters of life that you will often encounter God (Jeremiah 29).

Toilet paper: We know from firsthand experience that every bathroom in the world does not necessarily come complete with well necessities. Be sure you have a roll of toilet paper stashed someplace you can easily access.

Unity: If you plan to go on mission with a group, creating a sense of unity is very important. You can't expect people to want to enter the Kingdom if there is dissension among the brethren.

Vision: In order to be an on mission Christian, you'll need to embrace Gods vision for the world. Once you see missions through Gods eyes, you'll never sit on the sidelines again. You'll want to get in the game! Ask God to help you see the world through His eyes.

Willingness: For some awesome reason God chooses to use us to complete His worldwide mission. Your willingness to surrender to Him is an essential part of being on mission.

X-treme: Going on mission with God means living life to the X-treme. And guess what, you were made for this X-treme. From the moment you were conceived, God planned for you to share His message throughout the globe. What a purpose!

Yes!: Being on mission starts by saying yes to God's global plan. Saying yes to God means saying no to a selfish status quo.

Zealousness: Your passion for Christ will make a monumental difference in how effective you are in sharing your faith. Ask God to make you zealous for Jesus and zealous for telling others about Him.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ....

Family Ministry Planning Tool: a tool a family ministry council can use for evaluating, planning, and promoting your ministry to families - http://www.lifeway.com/article/?id=169745

Affordable Background Checks: http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/bgc.asp?intcmp=LCS_onesource_backgroundchecks&CID=em_CD091029

Beth Moore's Updated Breaking Free: see the video http://www.lifeway.com/e3/shop/?id=005125846&CID=WomenNews-emailCRD20091101-BreakingFree

Free threads Starter Kit: contains Context (a handbook for reaching young adults), Videos, other resources - http://threadsmedia.com/starterkit

New Small Group Life curriculum for small groups/cell groups/home groups - http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D168800%252526M%25253D200804%2C00.html?CID=RDR-SGL

2010 GBREA Meeting online registration - http://www.gbrea.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=39977

Valentine's Weekend Retreat at Ridgecrest: February 12-13, 2010 - http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D196%252526M%25253D200975%2C00.html

Eight Year Study Plan for Explore the Bible: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_CG_StudyPlan_ETB2007_2015.pdf

Meet the Engel Scale

Years ago, James Engel introduced a scale that shows the different levels of receptivity a person goes through in their relationship to Christ. The Engel Scale helps us to see evangelism as a journey, moving people from no knowledge or awareness of God to becoming fully devoted followers of Christ. We have often seen the back end of this journey--discipleship--as a process, but failed to see the front end of the journey as a process as well.

More recently, Paul Hazelton has modified the scale to update it into today's society. Click on this link to see it: http://www.hazelden.org.uk/pt02/art_pt068_modified_engel_full.htm

If we lived in an area (or maybe I should say “era”) where everyone was a -4 or -3 then we could just share the gospel and see pretty positive results. However, I think we are all aware that we mingle among people who are at all different levels of the scale, beginning at -12 on up.

All of us understand that evangelism is a process that is highly individualized. We need to recognize where a seeker is on the scale and develop ways to move them to the next level. Another important thing we need to consider is that it will take some time, depending on where they are on the scale. The further down they are, the longer it may take. We must help our church members to "not faint in well doing" as they create and strengthen friendships with people who are not believers. We must also help them to understand that they may not see the fruits of their efforts but they are still an important cog in the machinery of helping transport that person to the next level.

That is why the value of Sunday School class fellowships are so important and making sure that your class members are bringing their non-believer friends to those times of fun and fellowship. It is in those times of fellowship where they experience the love of God and begin to differentiate between their life-style and the life-style of a believer (and, hopefully, it's a more pleasant one!).

Make it a goal for your Sunday School classes to provide ample opportunities for your members to develop relationships with prospects and make sure they are equipped to know what to do when God opens the door for the gospel to be received in the life of a non-believer.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN .....

How to Honor Class Members in Ministry (David Francis): http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D169527%252526M%25253D200839%2C00.html
Beth Moore study, Breaking Free: http://www.lifeway.com/e5/shop/?id=005125846&CID=WomenNews-emailCRD20091001-BreakingFree
Time to Register your Students for 2010 Fuge camps: http://www2.lifeway.com/fuge/?cid=studentfugezip092209
How to Help Your Sunday School Decline (Bruce Raley): http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D169601%252526M%25253D201096%2C00.html?cid=CENews-emailCRD20090918
7 Personality Traits of Effective Leaders (Thom Rainer): http://www.churchcentral.com/blog/Seven-personality-traits-of-effective-leaders

"...the Bible is Pretty Simple,"

A minister flying to the West Coast struck up a conversation with the passenger next to him. “What’s your occupation?” he asked. His seatmate replied, “I’m a professor of astronomy. And what about you?” “I’m a pastor,” the minister answered.
The astronomer shifted a bit in his seat and then confessed, “I used to attend church when I was young, but my wife and I don’t go very often now. But the way I look at it, the Bible is pretty simple. It all boils down to ‘Get along with your neighbors and stay out of trouble.’”
"That’s interesting,” the pastor noted. “I feel the same way about what you do. For me, astronomy all boils down to ‘Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.’”
Even though children can understand the Bible’s basic truths, it is no simple book. Anyone who bothers to study it finds it to be as limitless as the cosmos. We can go back to the same text countless times and still find more there. No one has ever mastered the Scriptures.

Challenge your class members, preschool through adult, to continue to grow in their understanding of the Scriptures. One good way of doing that is through reading a portion of the Bible daily. LifeWalk is a good tool to use in reading through the Bible in one year. It provides a plan and also provides interesting background material to help you understand the context of what you are reading.

A good opportunity to get your church involved in a daily reading program begins in October when LifeWalk begins its trek through the New Testament. Order an adequate number of copies of LifeWalk ( http://www.lifeway.com/e1/shop/?id=005107653.2009-10) and challenge your members to read through the New Testament by the end of the year.

They (and your church) will be richer for it.

"Things You May Be Interested In ..."

LifeWay is on Facebook - From Scriptures that will encourage you to the latest product release, this page lets you know about all things LifeWay. Plus, we often ask questions to get a better understanding of who you are and how we can help. Come see us soon! www.facebook.com/lifeway

Mentoring the Next Generation - a great resource to develop a mentoring program: http://www.lifeway.com/e1/shop/?id=005153102

Worship War: relevance vs reverence - In case you missed it, an excellent debate between Ed Stetzer and Mike Harland on worship occurred on September 1. See it on: http://lifeway.com/RvR

Fresh Encounter - Have a Fresh Encounter Weekend that can lead to a spiritual awakening within your church: http://www.lifeway.com/e1/shop/?id=005226601&CID=Adlt-Ministry-Solutions-emailCRD20090818-FreshEncounter-Text

What the Unchurched Don't Like About Christians (Thom Rainer) http://www.churchcentral.com/blog/What-the-unchurched-don't-like-about-Christians

Heart Connex - an family devotional via e-mail: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D161567%252526M%25253D200810%2C00.html

How Do I Handle 'Runaway' Prayer Requests in My Group?

If your group spends more time talking about prayer than actually praying, or if the prayers sound too much like “gimme” lists, try some of the following ideas:

1. Alphabet Soup. Call out a letter of the alphabet. As people in the group think of an attribute or aspect of God’s nature beginning with that letter, have them say the word or phrase and then briefly praise God for that character quality. For example, if you say, “T,” a group member might respond with “Trustworthy: Lord, thank you that I can trust You.” Another says, “Tenderness: God, I praise you for your tender loving care.” To keep things moving, the leader mentions another letter frequently.
2. The Name Above All Names. Compile a list of the different forms of the name Jehovah and what they mean. Hand out copies to the group and ask them to spend a few minutes meditating on the names. Invite each member to share a name that is particularly meaningful to him or her and to turn it into a short prayer. The person praying might say, “Father, You are Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides. Thank You for providing me with a person to talk to this week when I was lonely but too afraid to admit it.”
3. Sign-in Prayer Requests. If your time is limited, a sign-in system can help the group spend less time explaining prayer needs and more time praying. Have a sheet of paper ready and ask people to write down their requests as they arrive or before the meeting begins. During prayer time, read each item aloud and ask someone to pray about it.
4. Prayer Shuffle. A variation on the sign-in sheet is to have members note requests on index cards. If you have many needs to pray for, divide into groups of three. Shuffle the cards and hand out a few to each group.
5. Global Perspective. Lead the group in praying for specific needs of missionaries around the country and around the world. Download daily requests from http://imb.org/compassionnet/TodaysPrayer.asp and http://www.namb.net/root/home/prayer/ .
6. Community Concerns. Clip articles from your newspaper about local issues or people who have specific needs. Use the clippings as a basis for intercession either with the group as a whole or in pairs

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN ....

Worship War: relevance vs reverence - a debate between Ed Stetzer and Mike Harland on September 1. http://lifeway.com/RvR

Women's Leadership Conference: MOMENTum - Living and Leading in Today's Culture, Nashville, TN - November12-14; Low registration cost of $125 until September 10. http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D27%252526M%25253D200980%2C00.html

Excel '09: Ministers of Education Conference http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D119%252526M%25253D201006%2C00.html

Senior Adult Fall Celebration: http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_list_mainpage/0,2234,M%253D200971,00.html?

Tool for Training Preschool Leaders: Love, Laughter, and Learning http://www.lifeway.com/e9/shop/?id=001208783

National Youth Worker's Conference: http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D185%252526M%25253D201001%2C00.html?cid=studentziplnywc072809
How To Get Your 1st Time Guests To Come Back http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0,1703,A%253D162588%2526M%253D200826,00.html

A Word of Thanks

When I took this job as a LifeWay's church consultant for Georgia last year, one of the things I looked forward to was to strengthen the friendships I had with numerous ministers and to begin other relationships with many more ministers around the state. One of my goals was to be a source of support and encouragement to any ministers who found themselves in a difficult situation. Little did I know that it would be me who would receive many expressions of support and encouragement over the last three weeks from my numerous friends around Georgia.

When I made you aware of the loss of my son, Jacob, several weeks ago I was overwhelmed by the immediate response of emails and calls I received that week. Several of my friends who live close by came to the visitation or memorial service and I have continued to receive notes by mail and/or email. All of these expressions of concern and support have been a source of comfort to me and I am humbled to know that these growing friendships means that much to each of you around the state.

I am beginning my work again and in the coming weeks you should receive a contact from me endeavoring to set up a meeting or notifying you that I have some material I want to place in your hands. If you need some help on anything, please contact me and I’ll do my best to be of assistance. That is another priority I have placed on this position I hold – I want to help you be successful in the ministry God has placed you.

God bless you and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Things You May Be Interested In ….

The Parent Adventure: Preparing Your Kid for a Life with God – for a sample chapter and video, click on http://www.lifeway.com/e7/shop/?R=828497&cid=ParentAdventureeupdateMay2009

Senior Adult Fall Celebration, Ridgecrest, NC, October 12-16, featuring keynote speaker Charles Lowery, music and worship leader Ronnie McCarson, Bible study leader Keith Wiginton, pianist Mike Moose, and concert artists Shiloh. http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D59%252526M%25253D200971%2C00.html?cid=SrAdultFalleventseupdateMay2009


Festivals of Marriage: 3 Day Weekend Retreats – Panama City, FL, September 25-27; Ridgecrest, NC, October 9-11, 16-18, or 23-25. http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D166%252526M%25253D200975%2C00.html

Help Your Students Leap Toward Faith: A D’Now study or 5 session study. http://www.lifeway.com/e7/shop/?R=834386

Insights for Reaching Young Adults in the Southeastern States. This is a very revealing study done by LifeWay research and Louisiana Baptist Convention. Click on link and scroll down right column to “Young Adults in Southeastern States”. http://www.lbc.org/AdultMinistry/Default.aspx

Book: "Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched & The Churches That Reach Them" (Stetzer, Stanley & Hayes) http://www.lifeway.com/e7/shop/?R=821139

A Good Thing to Remember

While praying one day a little girl asked,"Who are you, Lord?"

He answered, "I Am"

"But, Who is I Am?" she said.

And He replied..."I Am Love, I Am Peace,

I Am Grace, I Am Joy,

I Am the Way, Truth, and the Light.

I Am the Comforter, I Am Strength,

I Am Safety, I Am Shelter,

I Am Power, I Am the Creator,

I Am the Beginning and the End.

I Am the Most High."

The girl with tears in her eyes looked toward heaven and said, "Now I understand, but Lord, Who Am I ?"

Then God tenderly wiped the tears from her eyes and whispered,

"YOU ARE MINE"

-- Author Unknown

THINGS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN .....

How to have Beth Moore lead a conference at your church (sort of): Living Proof simulcast, August 28, 29: http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D194%252526M%25253D200979%2C00.html

Fuel Ignited: a new video study for youth is coming this fall. Click on the link to see a promo and to download promotion materials: http://www.lifeway.com/fuel/new_site/

5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter: a great study for Youth Ministry to sponsor for parents: http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=834289&cid=Women-EUpdate-5Conversations-0509-Featured

Three ways to do New Member training: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D168407%252526M%25253D200828%2C00.html

New Women's Study by Priscilla Shirer, One in a Million: http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=834402&CID=WomenNews-emailCRD20090601-Million

Start a Sunday School class for Parents: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D165133%252526M%25253D201160%2C00.html

MasterLife is now on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/MasterLife/110224721616

What Makes a Church 'Healthy'?

In recent months I have had the interesting privilege to help LifeWay Research conduct some research on characteristics of a healthy church. I, along with twenty other consultants, have interviewed selected churches of differing denominations some questions concerning what these churches did that promoted a sense of health and well being in their church. Dr. Rainer and Dr. Stetzer plan to take the information gleaned from these interviews and compiled the results and their insights into book form sometime next year.


Participating in these interviews has caused me to wonder, how would the ministers I meet with throughout the state of Georgia answer the question. So I invite you to respond to the question below by posting it on this blog site so I, along with the many others that see it, can begin to get a sense of what it takes to help a church maintain it's spiritual health.

"What are your top 3 - 5 characteristics of what makes a church healthy?"

I look forward to reading what you have to say.

THINGS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN .....

Sunday School vs. Small Groups: Which is better? Watch the live debate on May 19 - http://www.lifeway.com/sundayschoolvssmallgroups/

Soul Shaping: Disciplines That Conform You to the Image of Christ http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/mainpage/0,1701,M%253D201071,00.html

LifeTruths being revised: For parents by parents because God's Word makes us better parents. For more information and free downloads - http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D165133%252526M%25253D201160%2C00.html?cid=LifeTruthsMarch

January Bible Study 2010: Stories for Life: Parables of the Kingdom in Matthew. "It's not just for January. It's makes a great discipleship study." http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=834378

Fall Celebration for Senior Adults at Ridgecrest: October 12-16, 2009, Charles Lowry, guest speaker. Register online at http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D59%252526M%25253D200971%2C00.html

10 Ways to Worship Without Music

Ten Ways to Worship Without Music,

Building Worship into Your Daily Life

by Tobin Perry, staff writer at Saddleback Church
This article is a reprint from the website, www.pastors.com

As you'll discover as you read through Rick Warren's, The Purpose Driven Life, worship through music is only a small portion of what true, biblical worship is all about. God designed us to worship Him with our whole lives, and there are actually spiritual habits that we can build into our lives that help us worship God more deeply. Here are ten habits than will build worship into your life on a daily basis.
1. Worship through prayer. When we affirm who God is through our prayers, we put our prayer life in proper perspective. That's exactly how Jesus taught us to pray. Prayer starts with God (example: “Our Father, which art in heaven”). Consider including in your prayers a time of focused attention on who God is.
2. Get in a regular habit of reading the Bible. The Bible says that we worship God in "spirit and in truth." How can we ever worship God without a clear understanding of who He is? The truth about God is essential to worship.
3. Obey God. Rick Warren mentions in The Purpose Driven Life that we worship God when we obey Him. We all need to build the habit of obedience into our lives. Whenever you sense God is speaking to you, make it a regular practice to respond immediately.
4. Tithe. If you want to know what in your life you worship, look at your checkbook register. The Bible teaches us this important lesson: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Mathew 6:21 NIV)
5. Build deep relationships with other Christians. The Bible teaches that God designed us to live in community with other Christians. We bring God pleasure by getting to know others and being known by them. The primary way we do this is through small groups like Sunday School classes.

6. Share your faith. John Piper made many of us re-look at why we share our faith when he wrote a few years ago: "Missions exists because worship doesn't." God wants every person on the planet to worship him, not because He is an egomaniac who needs our praise, but because worship is how we are designed by God. He wants the best for us.
7. Serve others. Jesus tells us that "when you did it to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did to me!" (Matt. 25:40 NLT) When we serve one another, Jesus tells us we are really serving Him.
8. Build into your life the attitude of thankfulness. When we look through the lens of thankfulness, we see our lives—and everything in it—as all gifts from God. Develop your own spiritual exercise each morning that demonstrates that you are putting on your lens of thankfulness.
9. Begin turning over to God areas of your life that you have never committed to Him. This is the heart of worship — surrender. God won't settle for 90 percent of your life; He wants all of it. You might have been a follower of Jesus for years, but you still have areas of your life that you are holding back from Him. Allow God to expose those areas and help you release to Him.
10. Live a life of purpose. God has a reason for your existence. In fact, He has five: fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism and worship. You please God when you live in step with His purposes. God doesn't want you to waste your life.
You were designed for God's pleasure. The purpose of worship is the foundation of the other four purposes. Fellowship without the spirit of worship is just "hanging out." Discipleship without worship is nothing but a fruitless mental exercise. Ministry without worship is called "spinning your wheels." Evangelism without worship is a misplaced sales pitch.
Worship isn't simply one area of your life; it is your life. Start right this moment by surrendering your life to God. Then spend the rest of your life learning to worship Him more fully.

THINGS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN .....

Background Checks Help: http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/bgc.asp

Prospect Services Information: http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/ch_prosp.asp

Logos Church Management Systems: http://www.logoscms.com/lifeway.html

Summer Units of Study for YOU: Unit 1: How to Pray... Unit 2: Set Apart (this is a study on holiness) Unit 3: Pushing Back (this is a study on influence) http://www.lifeway/you

LifeTruths ... is being revised, restructured, and renewed. Written for parents by parents, understanding the hectic pace parents run, the study material is designed for leaders to e-mail content for midweek contacts and practical activities for individuals, couples, and families right where they can put it to immediate use—at home. http://www.lifeway.com/lifetruths

Be A Saturday Night Caller!

As a way of improving your church's ministry to its Sunday School members/prospects and experiencing a greater attendance on Sunday morning, encourage them to call some who are in their Bible Study class on Saturday night. Give them these tips:

A. BEFORE YOU CALL . . . PRAY
· Ask God to help you say the right things. God will grant wisdom to those who ask.
· Be sure the tone of your voice is pleasant. Those we call can easily determine the depth of our concern not only by what we say but even more by how we say it.
B. WHEN YOU CALL
1. Identify yourself immediately
2. Develop the conversation by asking about such things as:
· Family (“How’s _________ doing?”)
· How work is going (Is work treating you OK?”)
· Similar recreational interests (How’s the golf game going?”)
3. Tell them you missed them last Sunday at Bible Study, what a great study it was, and that you were wondering if they were coming tomorrow.
· If they say “no”:
· Express your disappointment but not any judgmental feelings.
· Explain the gap their absence causes in the lives of others in the class and your desire to see them return soon.
· Ask if there is anything the class can pray about for them when the class prays during the Bible study.
· If they say “yes”:
· Express your happiness about their return
· Perhaps offer to sit with them in class and worship and plan to have lunch together.
C. AFTER YOU CALL
· Write down any prayer requests that were expressed during your conversation.
· Make arrangements (meeting place, lunch, etc.) on any commitments made.Breathe a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing on behalf of the person you spoke to.

THINGS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN .....
Tools for An Essential Church Manual: A workbook for church leaders to begin the process that will help you evaluate your church and community and implement the principles of Essential Church in your church. http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?emid=65&R=830544
YOU: LifeWay's newest Sunday School curriculum line is biblically-based with culturally relevant lessons to help your members connect, grow, serve, and ultimately be engaged in impacting the world for God. http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D168164%252526M%25253D201148%2C00.html
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NEXT 2009 Saddleback Small Groups Conference: April 24-25 at Victory World Church, Norcross. Register online at http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D256%252526M%25253D200989%2C00.html
Student Beta Conferences: This is designed for new Ministers of Youth and follows the same format as the M.E. Beta conferences. Dates are: March 30-31 and April 13-14. Call Sherry Spillman, Student Ministry Specialist for Training and Events, at 615.251.3864, or email her at: sherry.spillman@lifeway.com.

Denominational Diagnostics

I found this article online at Christianity Today last fall by one of my favorite authors, Philip Yancey. It is sub-titled, "What I look for to find a healthy church". I think you'll agree, he has some interesting insights.

Denominational Diagnostics
What I look for to find a healthy church.
Philip Yancey
"This article was first posted 11/19/2008 online at Christianity Today.com.

Used by permission of Christianity Today International, Carol Stream, IL 60188."

This past year my wife and I conducted an experiment. We decided to go through the Yellow Pages under "Churches" and visit each one listed in our local phone book. Although we live in a small town, we found representatives of most denominations, as well as several unaffiliated churches—a total of 24 congregations if you leave out fringe groups like Jehovah's Witnesses.
I learned that churches offer wide variety these days. A few still have organs and choirs, whereas most feature worship bands with electric guitars and drum sets. Oddly, a Church of Christ that forbids musical instruments because they are not mentioned in the New Testament sees no contradiction in projecting hymns on PowerPoint slides. At some churches attendees dress up; at others they wear blue jeans and cowboy boots (I live in Colorado, after all). Churches meet at 7, 9:30, 10:30, and 11 A.M. on Sunday morning, a few meet on Saturday night, and one Lutheran church even meets on Thursday night. Some follow a prescribed liturgy; others apparently make up the order of service on the fly.
With an intuition difficult to explain, I could usually sense the "aliveness" of a congregation within five minutes. Were people conversing in the foyer? Did I hear the sound of laughter? What activities and issues did the bulletin board highlight?
To my surprise, the aliveness factor had little to do with theology. In two of the most conservative churches, members slumped in their seats and glumly went through the motions, even as the pastoral staff conveyed the distinct impression that their primary goal was to get to the benediction. Meanwhile, a liberal church (it had rewritten familiar hymns and even the Lord's Prayer to make them politically correct) showed the most energy in community and global outreach programs.
Thanks to this experiment, I now have a clearer picture of the qualities I look for in a healthy church.
(1) Diversity. As I read accounts of the New Testament church, no characteristic stands out more sharply than this one. Beginning with Pentecost, the Christian church dismantled the barriers of gender, race, and social class that had marked Jewish congregations. Paul, who as a rabbi had given thanks daily that he was not born a woman, slave, or Gentile, marveled over the radical change: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
One modern Indian pastor told me, "Most of what happens in Christian churches, including even the miracles, can be duplicated in Hindu and Muslim congregations. But in my area only Christians strive, however ineptly, to mix men and women of different castes, races, and social groups. That's the real miracle."
Diversity complicates rather than simplifies life. Perhaps for this reason we tend to surround ourselves with people of similar age, economic class, and opinion. Church offers a place where infants and grandparents, unemployed and executives, immigrants and blue bloods can come together. Just yesterday I sat sandwiched between an elderly man hooked up to a puffing oxygen tank and a breastfeeding baby who grunted loudly and contentedly throughout the sermon. Where else can we go to find that mixture?
When I walk into a new church, the more its members resemble each other—and resemble me—the more uncomfortable I feel.
(2) Unity. Of course, diversity only succeeds in a group of people who share a common vision. In his great prayer in John 17, Jesus stressed one request above all others: "that they may be one." The existence of 38,000 denominations worldwide demonstrates how poorly we have fulfilled Jesus' request. I wonder how different the church would look to a watching world, not to mention how different history would look, if Christians were more deeply marked by love and unity. Perhaps a whiff of the fragrance of unity is what I detect when I visit a new church and sense its "aliveness."
(3) Mission. The church, said Archbishop William Temple, is "the only cooperative society in the world that exists for the benefit of its non-members." Some churches, especially those located in urban areas, focus on the needs of immediate neighborhoods. Others adopt sister churches in other countries, support relief and development agencies, and send mission teams abroad. Saddest of all are those churches whose vision does not extend beyond their own facilities and parking lots.
In my visits I never found a perfect church (nor should we expect to, if the New Testament gives any indication). But when tempted to judge, I simply remind myself that disappointment with the church traces back to God's own bold experiment: to allow ordinary people like us to embody his presence on earth.

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Be a Beth Moore simulcast Host: Scheduled for August 28 & 29. See details - http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D272%252526M%25253D200979%2C00.html

NEXT 2009 Saddleback Small Groups Conference: April 23-25 at Victory World Church, Norcross. Register online at http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D256%252526M%25253D200989%2C00.html

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Growing Disciples series: This is a series that has re-formatted the excellent material of MasterLife into six parts, each part being six sessions long. The first one is an excellent new member training tool! Details: http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=828955