Christian Unity

Christian Unity
Want To Pastor A Church You Love? Love The Church You’re Pastoring
What if every pastor saw their church, not as a stepping-stone to something bigger, but as an investment to make with all their heart and soul?

Have you ever had a chat with someone who was constantly looking over your shoulder to see if there’s someone better to talk to?

A lot of us may be doing that to the church we’re pastoring.

One of the main reasons many churches stay unhealthy is that too many pastors ...

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Christian Unity
Finally, A Definitive List Of Every Essential Element For An Effective Church
We can't let our guard down in the relentless battle to keep the non-essentials from crowding out the essentials.

Too many church leaders spend unnecessary time on a stack of things that aren’t essential for an effective church.

But what are the essentials?

Good news. I’ve found the definitive list and today I’m going to share it with you.

But first, a few things that aren’t ...

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Christian Unity
I Don’t Like the Way You Do Church
...but our unity in Christ is much stronger than our differences in style or method.

I don’t like the way you do church.

  • The music is too loud or too soft
  • The clothes are too casual or too formal
  • The preaching is too emotional or too academic
  • The pastor is too unavailable or too hands-on
  • The building is too ornate or too bland
  • The liturgy is too old or too new
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Christian Unity
Church Size Is About Personal Preference, Nothing More
As long as your preferences are about positive opportunities, not negative excuses, it doesn't matter what size of church you go to.

Let's admit something to ourselves. All the arguments we have over church size are about our personal preferences, nothing more. Apples and oranges.

There is zero evidence to suggest that big or small churches are more biblical or more effective, no matter how much we want ...

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Christian Unity
5 Ways Small Churches Help Big Churches Without Getting (Or Asking For) Credit
Sometimes, when small churches contribute to the body of Christ, we're blessing our big church friends in ways that no one else sees.

Big churches and small churches all have something to contribute to the body of Christ.

But, because of their size, the contributions of big churches tend to get noticed more. That’s okay. We don’t do this to be seen. (At least we shouldn’t).

And sometimes the ...

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Christian Unity
Big Churches And Small Churches: Contrast Without Criticism
Church leaders need to understand the differences between churches of various sizes. So we can work together, not tear ourselves apart.

Big churches and small churches are very different.

Not in their mission, their doctrine or their value to the kingdom of God, but in many of the ways they fulfill that mission.

They're pastored differently, they utilize people's gifts differently, they reach their communities ...

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Christian Unity
Fellow Christian, I’m Going To Assume The Best Of You – Even If You Don’t Give Me The Same Courtesy
If we look for the worst in people, we’ll get bucketloads of it. If we look for the best, we’ll get that.

Whatever happened to grace?

Not God’s grace for us. That’s more sure than tomorrow’s sunrise.

But what about giving grace to others? Assuming the best of them instead of the worst? Giving people – especially fellow believers – the benefit of the doubt? ...

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Christian Unity
Confessions Of A Social Media Lurker: 3 Guidelines For Commenting Constructively Online
I don't want to just participate in conversations – whether they're online or in real life. I want to elevate them. And be elevated by them.

I spend a fair amount of time on social media. But there are a lot of people who don't even know I'm in a group with them because, while I monitor a lot of conversations, I seldom participate.

I hang out, I follow the conversation, I learn whatever can be gained, but ...

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Christian Unity
The Man Who Saved The World By Thinking Small: A D-Day Tribute
On D-Day, small and large worked together. Each did the task they were best suited for. Together they won the day.

If you’re a pastor who feels like your voice is being ignored because your church is small, you’re in good company. One of the unsung heroes of World War II faced a similar problem.

Andrew Jackson Higgins was a New Orleans boat builder who saw the importance of something ...

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Christian Unity
5 Simple Statements Any Small Church Pastor Would Love To Hear
It takes so little to remind a small church pastor that you care for them and are asking God to bless them.

Too many small church pastors are doing most, maybe all, of their ministry alone.

They wonder if anyone outside the church even knows or cares that they exist.

That isolation can become toxic. And it can start to bleed out into their congregations, confirming the worst stereotypes ...

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