An out of print video was used to digitize four timeless teachings:
Church Dynamics: A Seminar on Dynamics of a Growing Church
Insights from a seminary prof and a church consultant
vintage videos
See The Church Dynamics page for this four part series.
In this recently recorded 15 minute video, Dr. Chuck Solomon shares how he came to know Christ as Savior, Lord, and Life. After his spiritual breakthrough in 1965, Chuck deepened his roots in the Abiding Life, and was then called to pioneer the Exchanged Life Counseling model, which he named Spirituotherapy. This testimony was produced as an introduction to the DVD album for our For Me to Live is Christ workbook (8 half hour lessons taught by John Woodward / available August 1st!)
We appreciate the value of biblical, daily devotional literature. A volume that has blessed our home is Daily in Christ by Dr. Neil Anderson with his wife, Joanne. It is now available free online. The readings have a grace and identity in Christ perspective. Why not bookmark it for your use and/or remember it as a resource to recommend.
In Daniel Henderson’s blog, he tells of a meeting he had with Peter Lord in Florida:
“As we enjoyed these rich moments of fellowship he began to muse about all of his colleagues over the years who have not finished well. Some he spoke of by name, expressing the heartache of watching very good and gifted men self-destruct through moral failure. We also discussed some recent high-profile instances that have brought new devastation to the hearts and spiritual homes of the faithful…”
Later in the article Henderson mentions some “warning signs” that contribute to spiritual and moral failure:
“Devotions without devotion – Over the centuries we have created “forms” that we often use to describe our spiritual progress. …
Serving in place of seeking – I’ve often said that “if the Devil can’t make you bad, he’ll just keep you busy.” …
Duty without delight – Biblical standards, tradition, the needs of others, and the expectations of powerful voices in our lives can keep us on task with our duties of religious service. However, the true life-giving sustenance for a fruitful life is the delight of abiding in Christ, drawing our satisfaction and supply from a loving experience of His life in us. Trudging ahead with religious duty that does not spring from daily delight in Christ will lead us to empty pretense and grave spiritual vulnerability…” Read full post here.
This concern about helping leaders finish well is a core value of the “Fermata” spiritual clinics in Brazil. In these three day events for pastoral couples, the message and materials about identification are shared. Many testify of personal renewal and a new ministry potential through recognizing and appropriating Christ as Life.
See the testimony of Luis Palau as an example of the vital importance of a Galatians 2:20 breakthrough. This was Paul’s testimony…which also contributed to him finishing well (2 Tim. 4).
The last year has been witness to a spate of pastors committing suicide.
At times, the pastor has left no note. For some, there is no apparent explanation for what Frank Page has called “a permanent solution to what is usually a temporary problem.”
When a pastor kills himself, there is always speculation about secret sins (addictions, affairs and the like), but I suspect—absent later revelations—the enormous pressure of the pastorate, coupled with depression, are the culprits…
This post at ChurchLeaders offers a variety of practical suggestions to encourage and protect the emotional and mental health of pastors. John Steven’s excellent book on the subject shows empathy for the temptation, yet gives hope with a new perspective on life through the fuller message of the Cross. See his book description here.
See the full ChurchLeaders article here.
I attended a seminar on small group discipleship by Bill Hull years ago. Excellent. And recently I have been challenged by the relational “real life” discipleship by Jim Putnam, et. al. This ebook addresses some key issues on church development and outreach.
-JBW
https://www.exponential.org/ebooks/evangelism-or-discipleship/
Worship House Media is offering a free download of their short film on Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21
The C.E.O. of Lifeway gives five reasons why he recommends that churches provide a sabbatical for their pastor(s).
…The pastor is given paid leave for rest, rejuvenation and, perhaps, deeper study. I would love to see churches of all sizes provide this requirement of their pastor, even if it’s only for a few days.
I have the opportunity to work with lay leaders and pastors. I have a pretty good view of both perspectives. And I am convinced that more lay leaders need to insist their pastors take regular breaks even beyond vacations….
Two ministries that encourage this rest for renewal are Shepherd’s Haven of Rest (retreats) and Harvest Baptist Christian Ministries (discounted cabin).
By Devern Fromke
I stood looking at a shallow dish of water in which some kernels of corn were breaking and sending forth green shoots. In that moment something I had been trying to express came into mind so vividly. It was just as though the Lord were saying: “It is not nature’s design for kernels to remain in this dish. Even so, I have too many little babes like these sprouting kernels who are under the delusion that, having accepted Me as their personal Saviour, all they need to do is grow. They do not seem to realize there can only be spiritual growth as there is proper climate and proper soil.” 
I pondered what it would mean to be placed in a proper climate. He seemed to say: “Your climate is like a framework–so very important. There are some frameworks in which it is impossible to grow … if gaining a place in heaven by and by is your only goal, then you cannot expect spiritual growth, for there is no proper climate; you can only expect to reach heaven because Another has paid your admission price.
But if life holds the possibility of an infinite growth after the Infinite Pattern, then that should focus your eyes, stir your heart and quicken your spirit, for you can live with real expectancy for the big, the significant, the ultimate. Until you have been awakened to this kind of goal, do not assume that you have begun to breathe of that Eternal Climate.”
I understood the importance of a proper climate, now–what was the proper soil? Then I remembered a verse that is often quoted at this point as the answer: “But go on growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.” … As I looked again at the little kernels in which death and decay was working, yet in which life was sprouting forth, I realized the importance of being transferred into “another dish”–into the environment or soil of His grace. As long as the little kernel remained in the dish, it was still living from its own stored up nutrients. Similarly, as long as there is no changing of the center of my life from self to God, there can be no real growth, or living by Him as my new source of Life. Living on the soil of myself, I simply cannot (really) grow.
We are not made to grow as a self-centered being–living in a display dish … We are designed to grow as our roots are in HIM. Hence the very first step in growing spiritually is a transplanting–a shifting from a self-centered to a God-centered source of life: this is growing in grace. And further, we must become alive and completely harmonized in the climate of His desire and purpose: this is growing in knowledge.
The rest of the article is at GraceNotebook.com
“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
Do you realize that the Christ in you is not an imperfect Christ? When the Lord Jesus wrought His Calvary work He not only dealt with the matter of forgiveness, but He went right on to the perfection of redemption, finally reaching the throne as the great Overcomer.
In Him, the Person, the whole ground of spiritual experience is covered and completed. There is no experience that can ever come to you or me that makes impossible the reaching of God’s end, for Christ has already met and overcome it. So we are not to struggle in vain attempts after perfection, but to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He seeks to make good in us the power of Christ’s finished work on the Cross. It is Christ in you who is the hope of glory. Anything less or anything else will bring no hope of glory but rather despair.T. Austin-Sparks http://austin-sparks.net/
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/dailyinchrist/
Revitalizing Pastors 