Christian Unity

The 10% Grace Rule: Judging Without Being Judgmental

/ 8 minutes of reading

The more you speak or write, the more mistakes you’ll make. It’s unavoidable. Those who put their opinions out for public consumption in blogs, books, sermons, etc., take on a huge risk, because their mistakes will be amplified by the amount of information they’re putting out and by the size of the audience.

Unfortunately, there are many of us – and way too many in the Christian community – looking for people to trip up. Instead of giving people the benefit of the doubt, they’re very quick to pounce on any misstatement (real or perceived) as the judge, jury and executioner.

But we can’t just nod and smile at untrue, unkind or unChristian statements, either. We need to practice reasonable judgment about what people say and write. Sometimes those statements need to be challenged, lovingly, but firmly.

As always, Jesus said it best. We need to, “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” But how do we do that? As Christians and as consumers of content, how do we balance wise discernment with forgiveness and grace?

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12 Ways to Disagree Online Without Being a Jerk

/ 9 minutes of reading

The internet is a great place for debate. I love throwing ideas out there, stirring up interest and hearing other passionate opinions.

But the anonymity of the internet also has a way of turning mean people loose. And that stifles, sometimes kills, the opportunity for healthy, inspiring conversation. A lot of good people have stopped writing online altogether because they don’t want the nastiness any more. I don’t blame them.

The worst place for this is usually in the comments section of blogs. Unfortunately, Christian sites – even church leadership sites – are no exception to this.

I refuse to be influenced by the nastiness. It won’t sucker me in or bully me away. I will continue to engage in the debate, stir up alternative views and dialog honestly and openly.

I’ve learned that it is possible to disagree with someone online and not be a jerk about it. So if you, like me, want to engage in lively discussion, even disagreements online, while keeping the tone civil, try these twelve steps as a guide.

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The First Step In Turning Your Small Church Around (Video)

/ 3 minutes of reading

In this video from the Small Church Pastors’ Workshop, Karl Vaters talks about the essential first step in becoming a great Small Church – learning to listen to God and each other.

This 33-minute video is Karl’s second solo talk from the workshop. It’s technically a sequel to Part 1 of Thinking Like a Great Small Church, which you can watch by clicking here. But they can be listened to in any order. Each stands well on its own.

Principles that are covered include:
The Acts 2 method for hearing God’s heart together
How to find God’s will by listening to each other
Finding the sweet spot for a healthy church turnaround
When to write a mission statement

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The Long-Term Value of Small Ministry (3 Videos)

/ 4 minutes of reading

Do Small Churches really have value? Thankfully, this isn’t the only ministry answering that question with a big YES!

The speakers in today’s videos, from the October 2013, Small Church Pastors’ Workshop, definitely agree about the value of Small Churches. And they make that argument in some very encouraging and practical ways.

Bob Kilpatrick – The Value of a Lean and Mean Church
Joel Kilpatrick – Small Doors Lead to Big Ministry
Frank Wooden – The Value of Pastoral Networking and Delegation

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Help! We’re Small Church Pastors! (Podcast)

/ 2 minutes of reading

Are you a pastor? Is your church small? Congratulations! You’re a Small Church pastor! This podcast, with Jeff Keady and Jonny Craig of 200Churches.com, presents the ideas from my post, “I Am a Small Church Pastor, and I Am Not a Failure,” which is taken from the first chapter of The Grasshopper Myth. In this podcast, I share how I discovered that it’s possible for a church to be both great and small. There’s some straight talk and a lot of laughs here, too. (Episode 51 – 34:36 run time)

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#BestOf2013: We’re Pushed to Build Bigger Churches – Who Catches Us When We Fall?

/ 5 minutes of reading

Many pastors feel pushed to grow, but don’t the help they need when that growth fails to materialize.

I’ve been thinking and praying about this situation since receiving the messages asking for help from frustrated pastors. From that thought and prayer, as well as from the many conversations I’m having with fellow Small Church pastors, I’ve written a starter list for how church officials can help us. When it comes to helping Small Church pastors – which, by the way, is the vast majority of churches in every denomination, fellowship, movement, network and faith – these might be a good place to begin.

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Reaching the World for Jesus is Too Important for Megachurches to Do Alone

/ 4 minutes of reading

Megachurches, we’re with you. You’re our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our partners in ministry. We know that the task of reaching our communities, nations, cultures and world is an enormous one. And an enormously important one. We don’t expect you to do it alone. It’s time for the 90% to come alongside the 10% and get our hands dirty together.

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