Doing things well and developing new leaders are both valuable and necessary objectives. The trouble is that these two agendas often clash. Training someone up means, almost by definition, that in the beginning they won’t be particularly good at whatever it is they’re learning to do. And they almost certainly won’t be as good at it as you are.
David McDonald wrestles with a vital, and for him, a very personal question: is there hope beyond cure?
Apologetics and evangelism: which should come first? For that matter, why is the order even important? Tony Payne says it's all to do with the nature of the gospel.
Prayer is a bit like apple pie, motherhood, and long weekends: everyone is for them! I mean, is there anyone who doesn’t enthusiastically embrace these fine institutions?
If I hear one more person—or myself—groan “I’m soooo busy”, I think I might explode. Or wilt. That gripe is getting really boring. Worse, I fear we are groaning about something that’s good.
There are three questions I’ve been asked repeatedly over the past seven months of study here at Moore College.
“So... how did you find the passage? Any initial thoughts?” An eerie silence follows, accompanied by the awkward shifting of people in their chairs, as it becomes apparent that no-one has prepared. It will be a dry old night of trying to wring out some answers from people whose sudden pangs of guilt have distracted them from the possibility of thinking up a response by reading the passage right now.
Rest is a good thing and group leaders need it, but it is still worth thinking about how we can care for our members during any break.
Start listening. Start working out what people are trying to do, and how they are doing it. Find out what people are trying. What has worked? What hasn’t?
FRONT: Happy Christmas! INSIDE: Because of his love for us, God sent his Son Jesus into the world. BACK: Find out the whole story here! www.twowaystolive.com/whowillbeking Pack of 10 cards with envelopes.