She had never lived in the United States before moving to our town to teach at the high school. She was unfamiliar with our culture. She knew no one. But when someone told her about our church, she was immediately interested in the choir because of her love for singing. Choir members befriended her. They …
Continue reading How Every Ministry in the Church Can Be a Gospel Sharing Ministry
As the American church continues to struggle with the issue of racial diversity, one popular catch-phrase suggests that the church should somehow become "color blind" -- ignore our differences and treat everyone in the same manner. While I most certainly affirm our need to love every person with His love, "color blindness" is not the …
One night on a routine visit in a home, I asked a recent guest in our service “How did you decide to come visit our church?” “It was the magnet on the refrigerator,” she said. Immediately, I was moved beyond words. I never imagined the magnet would be a divine tool for life change! In …
Imagine that you are in a room with an Iranian Jew, a Pakistani Muslim, a Nigerian animist, a Tibetan monk, a Chicago-born African-American, and a businessman from Memphis. You are each in this room for your entire life, and you are the only Christian in the room. Who would you be most responsible to share …
Romans 9:2-3 "…I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren…" What makes you really sad? Imagine a circle of relationships around your life. In the middle of this circle is your life. For most of us, our response grows …
On August 2, 1745, David Brainerd penned the following words in his diary after 28 discouraging months of serving as an early colonial missionary to native Americans in New England:"I began to entertain serious thoughts of giving up my mission. I do not know that my hopes respecting the conversion of the Indians were ever …
Read Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 On July 20, 2004 Jason Clauss and his brother went surfing on a beautiful summer day off the coast of Long Island, New York. At the end of several hours of fun, Jason returned to shore and had removed his wetsuit when he heard cries for help offshore. Two brothers had …
Several years ago a mission pastor entered a barber shop around the corner from his church. Although he needed a haircut, his purpose was to build a witnessing relationship with the owner. They had a good talk, but the only result was a really bad haircut. Laughing at his new "butchered" look, the pastor visited …
Who gets in? Who gets left out in the cold? The door man decides. Several years ago, The Los Angeles Times entertainment website unveiled a cover story on the city’s club scene. Profiling door men who screen entry intoexclusive establishments, the article explains that success is attached to what you wear and who you are …
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