A lot has been written lately about the church and culture; most of it, however, refers to the culture around a church. Just as important is the culture within a church, the shared attitudes, values, and beliefs that define a church and shape its practices.

Fresh out of seminary, my husband and I began ministry at an established, 850-member church in a large city. During the interview process, we were ...

Topics:	Character, Church, Church health, Church life, Church staff, Core values, Culture, Mission statements
Filters:	Church board, Counseling, Elder, Management, Pastor, Service, Shepherd
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Acts 4:32-35, Philippians 3:12, Philippians 3:14
Date Added:	July 11, 2007

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy ...

Topics:	Christian life, Master plan, Mission statements, Spiritual direction, Vision
Filters:	Church board, Deacon, Discipleship, Elder, Management, Pastor, Preaching
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	2 Timothy 1:6-9, 2 Timothy 1:11-12
Date Added:	July 30, 2007

The king said to me, "What is it you want?"

Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it." …

I also said to him, "If it pleases the king may I have letters to the

governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide ...

Topics:	Calling, Discernment, Discipleship, Goals, Mission statements, Motivation, Spiritual direction, Vision
Filters:	Church board, Deacon, Discipleship, Elder, Management, Pastor
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Nehemiah 2:4-5, Nehemiah 2:7-8, Nehemiah 2:12
Date Added:	July 30, 2007

Why is the ministry's mission so important? It affects the church in numerous essential ways. Here are nine of them.

Before embarking on a flight, most people want to know where their plane is going. Otherwise, as Yogi Berra, the former New York Yankee catcher, once said, "If you don't know where you're going, you might end up somewhere else." Leaders and ...

Topics:	Decision making, Decisions, Leadership, Mission statements, Objectives, Strategy, Vision
Filters:	Business administrator, Church board, Discipleship, Management, Pastor, Pastoral care
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	John 17:20, Ephesians 4:3
Date Added:	August 08, 2007

A recent research study included a survey of 406 young adults who stayed in church during the critical ages of 18 to 22 and who have remained in church since then. What are some of the primary reasons they stayed in the church? Here's what they had to say:

"Church is a vital part of my relationship with God." Two-thirds of the respondents could not see themselves as vibrant Christians without being ...

"This is the final boarding call for Flight 365 to Orlando." The door closes, and the airplane is pushed back from the gate. The pilot is going to Orlando. The copilot is going to Orlando. The flight attendants are going to Orlando. All the passengers are going to Orlando—except the guy in seat 23C. He's going to Havana, and we have a name for him: "Hijacker."

In churches, as on planes, it's ...