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6 Ways to Guard Your Church’s Culture

Barnabas Piper

I suspect most people in church leadership have had a conversation with a church member that started something like, “Man, remember when X-and-such ministry was so much better,” or “Things used to feel so much different around here, I miss...
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Why You Must Plant with Excellence—and Humility

Dan Steel

In Christian ministry, few words spark as much nervousness as excellence. On the one hand, the word carries rich biblical resonance. Paul urges the Corinthians to “excel in everything—in faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love...
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The One Story Every Church Planter Must Tell

J.A. Medders

To plant well—to preach, teach, counsel, and evangelize well—we must think rightly about what the Bible is. And what it is not. We know it’s God’s Word; it’s inspired, it’s God speaking to us. I also want you to see—and...
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How to Stay Steadfast in Unmet Expectations

Ronnie Martin

We talked about it for years. We longingly gazed at stories on Instagram. Every summer, we would say, “We just need to do it.” And then finally, this year, we did.    We booked a fall road trip through New...
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7 Time Management Tips for Busy Pastors (and Leaders)

Jon Kelly

Just about every pastor that I know feels that they are pressed for time. A lot to do, with very little time to accomplish everything. As time goes on, ministry demands become greater and more complicated. Family demands become greater,...
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How to Build a Team

J.A. Medders

You cannot plant a church alone.   I want to free you from the tyranny of any hero-mentality established in your heart, journals, or whiteboards. Brothers, messiahs are no longer needed. The church has one, and He is doing great. When...
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Six Ways Churches Are Strengthened Through Planting

Tony Merida

How can giving away our best people possibly be good for us?  This is precisely what many congregations wonder when they encounter the idea of church planting. I understand the question and concern, but I want to challenge the underlying...
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6 Seasons of Change in a Church Plant

Noah Oldham

If you plant a church, one thing is guaranteed: the people you start with won’t be the same people you lead in 5, 10, or 15 years. Not because they’ll leave—but because life will change them.  And when your people...
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Why You Need More than Passion in Planting

Barnabas Piper

Many of us grew up in a church context that emphasized passion for God. Some of our favorite theologians and preachers from history are known for their passion. This emphasis set a standard, an objective, for us—to pursue passion for...
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Planting a Church When People Keep Moving: What to Know about Planting in Transient Contexts

Dan Steel

Life in the Land of the Anywheres From experience, church planting (or even simply pastoring) in high-mobility contexts—such as university cities, tech hubs, or urban centers with rapidly changing rental markets—presents both unique opportunities and frustrations. These are the places...
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Discipling New Christians with Ancient Tools: Catechesis in Church Planting

Thomas West

Church planting is exhilarating. New life is springing up, new people are being reached, and new believers are entering into the joy of knowing Christ. But every church planter knows that the early days of growth come with a sobering...
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Leading a Church Without Neglecting Your Marriage

Jon Kelly

It was over nine years ago, during the second year of our church plant. I was at home in the living room on a phone call with a young man who had recently started attending our church. My wife sat...
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Why a Sermon Works

J.A. Medders

A recent sermon I gave reminded me why sermons “work.”  I was preaching on how to experience Jesus, how to enjoy him, rejoice over him, and “extol his love” (Song. 1:4). And at the apex of the message, as my...
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Bothering God: Becoming Persistent in Prayer 

Ronnie Martin

“Forgive me for bothering you with something so minor …”  How many times has somebody approached you with words like this? If we’re paying attention, we can probably detect some level of shame in their approach. They are likely afraid...
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Theology for the Front Lines of Church Planting

J.A. Medders

Church planters wear many hats.  Disciple. Missionary. Evangelist. Pastor. Preacher. Counselor. Leader. Theologian.  Embrace your role as a theologian.  Theology is Practical  While some people are technical and professional theologians, you are a missional theologian. A pastor-theologian. A planter-theologian.   Your...
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Rural Is Not a Plan B: Recovering the Strategic Significance of Small-Town Church Planting

Dan Steel

“When I told a friend we were planting in a rural town, he looked at me like I’d failed the church planter audition.” That was the half-joking confession from a friend, but it reveals something real. In much of the...
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Gospel Sanity in an Insane World

Barnabas Piper

One of my ministerial and theological pet peeves is when Christians, especially pastors, respond to contentious societal issues with a glib “that’s a gospel issue.” I’ve seen this response offered to racial disputes, political disputes, and just about every other...
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3 Steps to Stronger Preaching: Lessons from the Offseason

Noah Oldham

This summer, my son Chaim finished up his 13U baseball season. He’s a catcher, a pitcher, an infielder, and a hitter who plays with all his heart—and this season was a turning point. Among the many improved stats, one thing...