Renewing the Heart of the Church and Believer
Renewing the heart has two connected goals, to renew the hearts of believers and renew the heart of churches. On occasion, I will be posting a excerpt regarding church health.
It Is About Relationships
“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Philippians 4:5, KJV) Two nights ago, I had another dream that I want to use as an illustration for this thought. In this one, I was a pastor of a small church that was instrumental in a ministry that fed the poor.…
Hurdling the Barriers
Just made Available on Amazon Newly published on Amazon, Hurdling the Barriers covers 12 major barriers to church health. Many of these barriers exist unknowingly in churches and hinder the church’s ministry. This book covers how to identify these barriers, the types of problems they cause, and action steps the local church can take to…
Purpose, Mission and Vision
I’ll be starting the devotions on Hebrews tomorrow, but wanted to add this about the church and vision. The other day I was with a few Christians interested in the local church. Somehow, we got into the topic of vision and a vision or mission statement. This discussion prompted me to give my views on…
The Barrier of Poor Stewardship
This is an excerpt from the final chapter of the book upon which I have been working titled, “Hurdling the Barriers – Overcoming the 12 largest barriers to church health and growth.” I am currently working on the second draft and should be working on publishing soon thereafter. “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,…
Hurdling the Barrier of Lost Vision
This is the introduction from the book, “Hurdling the Barriers – Overcoming the 12 largest barriers to church health and growth.” I will soon finish working on the second draft and then publishing. “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained” (Proverbs 29:18, NASB95) Years ago, while I was working for a company in…
Hurdling the Barrier of the Flesh
For those who have been following my progress on the book, “Hurdling the Barriers, Overcoming the 12 largest barriers to church health and growth.” upon which I have been working, I am pleased to announce that I have completed the first draft. The manuscript is 282 pages long and 97,835 words. I hope to complete…
The Barrier of Insufficient Participation
Here is an overview of chapter 9 in the book, Hurdling the Barriers. “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:4–5, ESV) When I was a boy,…
The Barrier of Insufficient Participation
Here is a synopsis of chapter 9 in the book, “Hurdling the Barriers” to church health and growth. “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:4–5, ESV)…
The Barrier of Insufficient Leadership
This is a synopsis of a chapter in the book, “Hurdling the Barriers” to church health and growth. I am making progress on the writing and hope to be done in a month. “But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.”…
Barrier of Lost Love for Others
It has been a while since I sent out a synopsis of some of the chapters in the book I am working on, “Hurdling the Barriers” to church health and growth. As i was going back to see where I left off, I realized that I had missed one of the most important barriers that…
The Barrier of Impurity
This is an excerpt from chapter seven in the book, “Hurdling the Barriers” to Church Health. “Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;” (Proverbs 25:4, ESV) As a pastor, I have ministered to many people who have struggled with cancer. I am sure that everyone of us…
Hurdling the Barrier of Missed Truth.
Each week I promised to present a synopsis of the book, “Hurdling the Barriers” – to church health. I usually post these on Saturday, however, the internet service was down and we just got it back. This is the introduction from chapter six, which deals with the barrier of “Missed Truth.” “But as for you,…
The barriers to making disciples
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20, ESV) Chapter 5 of the…
The Barrier of Lost Love for Others
Here is a brief synopsis of Chapter 4 of the book, “Hurdling the Barriers to Church Health and Growth.” “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34, ESV) I remember our transition from Savannah to Portsmouth…
The Barrier of Lost Love for God
Chapter three of the book, “Hurdling Barriers,” focuses on the barrier of a lost love for God. It is a barrier to which no church will admit, but it is not uncommon. Moreover, many churches may have this barrier without even knowing it. What follows is a brief introduction to the chapter. “You shall love…
Hurdling the Barrier of Self-Sufficiency
As I have been doing, here is a synopsis of chapter two of the book, “Hurdling the Barriers” – to church health and growth. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6,…
Hurdling the Barrier of Self-Glorification
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV) I mentioned last week that I would send out a brief synopsis of each chapter of the book, “Hurdling Barriers.” The book deals with barriers to being a healthy church. This first chapter in…
The Health Vs. Growth Continuum
I thought that each week, I would present a snippet of what will be included in the book I am working on, “Hurdling Barriers” that looks at overcoming the barriers to church health and growth. This excerpt is from the introduction. . . . from what I have observed, churches often lose their way because…
Why Focus on Church Health?
I spent much time in prayer after moving to semi-retirement from the pastorate. I kept thinking of all the seminars, convention meetings and books I read, trying to figure out how to move a church to the next level. In my effort to do this, I became completely exhausted. Then it dawned on me. I…
A Thought on Church Health
Renewing the heart has two connected goals, to renew the hearts of believers and renew the heart of churches. In addition to the weekday thoughts on Romans, once every weekend, I will be posting a excerpt regarding church health. This is the first one that I posted last week. The next will come out next…
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Renewing the Heart 