Casting a Vision

Mike Sullivan

Our churches need people who are convinced of the need to serve and evangelize, and convinced that they have a role to play. But often people don't seriously believe they can be used to do great things. We need to give individuals a vision for how they can be used powerfully by God for His kingdom.

Home Group Leadership (Part 2)

Dennis McCallum

One key aspect to promoting home group leadership is the presence of team leadership. There are several key principles to apply when striving for quality in this area. These include encouraging fellow leaders, resolving personal conflicts, observing the principle of the "man on the spot," maintaining commitment to success, and focusing on the ministry. Negativity on the team may arise, but we should be wary of our own judgements upon other leaders' ministries and should seek to communicate a balance of both negative and positive facts.

Life Giving Leadership

Bruce Powers

Living a life of service in leadership means more than following certain rules or looking a certain way, spiritually. Life giving leadership consists of three actions: tell the gospel, do the gospel, and be the gospel. These reach deeper than just outward appearances.

Home Group Leadership (Part 1)

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 4:11

In order to promote a leader-rich home group, there are seven conditions that should be present. The church must first believe in the vision that qualified leaders are the key to success, and new leaders must be Spirit-chosen. Spiritual leaders must be held in honor, accountability and discipline. Every leader should seek to replicate themselves and top leaders in the church must prioritize helping develop new leaders. Finally, people should see a clear pathway to leadership, and leaders should be formed into teams to promote increased leadership within the church.

A Personal Leadership Development Experience

Bill Lawrence

Ephesians 4:11

Leadership in the Christian life does not equal being greater or above anyone else. Rather, it is characterized by a life of service to others. Everything a leader does should be in the name of Jesus, as servants of God, not as if the church is God. It is a humble and low work.

Feeding the Multitude

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 28:18-20

The feeding of the five thousand is a picture of how God calls us to meet people's needs. He has what people need that will satisfy and we are called to share that with them. As we are used by God to meet people's needs we have the privilege to see lives changed, experience deep significance, and we become spiritually satisfied.

Paul: Apostle and Revolutionary

Jim Leffel

Galatians 1:10-2:10

Paul combats the Judaizers by defending the message of the Gospel of God. Paul uses his own personal testimony as direct revelation of God and evidence for the real life-transforming power of grace, which not only transformed his motivation but was also accepted by the apostles of Jesus Christ. The grace of God called Paul into a life of radical service for God and others, reflecting God's compassion and mercy towards a zealous sinner. Paul's understanding of God's grace resulted in radical thanksgiving.

Profile of an Effective Ambassador

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Paul highlights a few ways that we can be effective as Christ's ambassadors: 1) not discrediting the ministry; 2) radical Commitment; 3) attractive spiritual qualities; and 4) enjoying paradoxical results. If we are committed to conducting ourselves in every arena as representatives of Christ, eager to volunteer ourselves for His service, and able to apply and live out God's Truth in our lives, we will be able to endure what others say to the message of Christ, knowing that our faithfulness is to Christ not people.

New Creatures in Christ

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

There are many ramifications of our new identity in Christ. As a new creation, we have new aspirations to live for God instead of ourselves. In addition, we can adopt God's view of success, seen through a lifestyle of sacrificial service toward others and character transformation. Lastly, we are now seen as Christ's ambassadors, with a unique role and responsibility to tell others about Christ's love for them and how to know God personally.