Stephen's book club
Friday, December 10, 2010
Ministry apprenticeship
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Multiplying gospel growth
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Patience Really is a Virtue
As I read the call to train co-workers, identify future leaders and build a ministry team from the ground up... As I read the advice to particularly and strategically focus our efforts on the few who in time can multiply the ministry - rather than the many who cross our path... I am rebuked for my impatience and my desire for quick ‘results’.
Patience really is a virtue in Christian ministry.
A patience borne from a deep trust in God’s sovereign ability to care for those we necessarily choose not to and a patience which keeps the bigger picture in view.
Far better to sow deeply and patiently in a few - who in turn can sow deeply and patiently in a few - who in turn can sow deeply and patiently in a few... than to try and do it all alone. Far better to multiple good gospel ministry by multiplying good gospel ministers... than to merely multiply my own efforts.
May God give us the patience we need to serve him well.
May God give us the courage we need to say no to the good so we can say yes to the best.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Changing churches and changing lives
The gospel changes churches and changes lives. We all need to be growing toward maturity. Training is necessary from before we are trusting in Jesus to afterwards as we grow to become disciple-makers. This training is to help us become vine-workers.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Am I normal?
Monday, November 15, 2010
Partners and training
The church at Philippi had a strong partnership with Paul. We read in Acts 16 how the church began. They continued on in partnership with Paul, even though in the early days Paul and Silas had to leave the city. Paul writes to them as partners, and there was personal communication, with people such as Epaphroditus travelling between the church and Paul.