Tag: mission

Leadership, Ministry

Why I Wrote a Personal Mission Statement

I recently got addicted to a podcast by Dave Ramsey’s EntreLeadership team. After listening to their episode regarding mission statements, I have been encouraged and empowered to add a personal mission statement to my life and ministry platform.

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Communication, Leadership

Answering the Question, “What Is a Trader?”

We entered into week two of our Trader projects this past Sunday night. For those of you who aren’t in the loop on what I’m actually talking about; I suggest you check my previous post based on Surrender Self before reading any further.

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Ministry, Outreach

How Booking a Missionary Speaker Brings New Perspective To Your Student Ministry

We received a call wondering if we were interested in hearing from a couple of missionaries from Mexico, with Northern Lights Ministries. They were visiting Alaska and were willing to speak to our students about their mission work.

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Adventure, Discipleship, Gospels, Leadership, Outreach

What If You Didn’t Get Back On the Bus? Exploring the Desire to Stay On Mission

Returning home from a short-term mission or spiritual retreat can be difficult. On the one hand, you have this odd desire to keep travelling, embracing a nomadic servant leadership lifestyle as a permanent gig. On the other hand, you crave the comforts and security that come with getting home to family and friends.

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Discipleship, Family, Gospels, Outreach

The Cost of Leaving Sikh Culture to Follow Christ

“It was like she was hanging on every word! She was smiling and nodding her head as the intern explained all the tests and trials that Joseph faced.” This woman could relate. After so much pain and loneliness, this young woman finally had validation for her suffering. “God’s plan is so perfect!”

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Discipleship, Leadership, Outreach

The Benefits of Experiencing Culture Shock

When I was a youth pastor, I led a group of students from conservative, semi-rural Alaska on a missions trip to Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC. The first part in Seatlle was fairly familiar for them, but Vancouver was a different story. Considering their home environment, our students received the full brunt of religious, ethnic, and socioeconomic culture shock!

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Bible, Discipleship, Leadership, Ministry, NT

How Setting Goals Can Increase a Trip’s Potential

Goal-setting is so important! When I was a youth pastor, taking trips was a key part of the ministry. Before we left, we would have an evening of spiritual preparation; a group session to discuss the spiritual goals for the experience. Goal setting can be a great addition to any conference or mission experience, to increase the impact of the trip.

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Communication, Discipleship, Leadership, Ministry, Movies, Music, Technology

How a “No Headphones” Rule Can Promote Community

Once a youth trip begins, it’s fascinating to see how quickly the students expect a youth pastor to act like their parents, but that’s not the goal in this environment. It’s important for students to have some safe, healthy independence during youth trips. For the most part, they were free to decide, and I always enjoy seeing their faces when this freedom first sets in.

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Bible, Church, Discipleship, NT

Is Church Growth Centred On Evangelism, Discipleship, or Something Else?

Paul calls us to “present everyone complete in Christ.” (Col. 1:28) To the Colossian Church, “complete” was a term that was commonly used for loading a ship with all the necessary cargo and being prepared. Therefore, completeness is being ready for the long voyage, and ready for whatever trials or toils may come.

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Communication, Leadership, Ministry

4 Questions To Ask When Writing a Church Mission Statement

Ask any member of your church, “What’s important to you?” and you’ll get a wide variety of opinions and preferences. However, the mission should remain, and bring focus to all of these areas. So, have a look at your church’s mission statement this week and ask four strategic questions.

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Bible, Coffee Chats, Discipleship, NT, Outreach

How Downsizing Your Latte Could Become a Fragrant Offering To the Lord

Would it not be amazing, if all missionaries were able to report, “I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied…” (Phil. 4:18a) How do we make this happen? It can start today, as you stop into your local coffee shop. Before you order that, ’20-Ounce, Triple-Shot, Sugar-Free Vanilla, Soy-Latte’, take a moment to remember those sharing the Gospel abroad and order a 12-ounce.

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Bible, Leadership, OT

6 Ways a Faithful Leader Obtains Faithful Followers

Josiah was a king who not only does “what is right in the eyes of the Lord,” but who also walks “in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” (2 Kings 22:2) Finally, God’s people had a king who saw the bigger picture! In his life, we find six ways that King Josiah showed faithfulness to God, leading to faithful followers.

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