Moments of transition are sometimes the best moments to take a step back and reevaluate. Here’s the story and process of how Hope Reformed Church did just that. Our speaker, Steve Hellenga, is with Hope Reformed Church in Kalamazoo. They recently went through the transitional process of calling a new pastor. During this process they sought the help of a …
What Child is This?
What child is this? “The babe, the son of Mary.” “She gave birth to a firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” (Luke 2:7) Far too many people think of the Christmas story as a quaint, cerebral affair – angels with fluttering wings, animals …
8 Marks of All-in Leadership Teams
Leadership is a tough task, but it is made easier when the burden is carried by more than one person. When you create leadership teams in your churches and ministries, these are eight characteristics that make up effective and engaged teams. Everyone is Praying This is not simply praying at the beginning of meetings, but having a lifestyle of regular …
Establishing and Maintaining Healthy Boundaries
Randy Weener – Great Lakes City Classis Leader & RCA Coordinator for Church Multiplication I write about establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries not as the expert (just ask my wife,) but as one who has been challenged in this area throughout my years of ministry. Just look at my titles above, but don’t feel sorry of me. I said yes to …
Leadership Development
There is always a need for leaders in all facets of life. To fill that need, there needs to be a way of developing and training leaders. This week’s Whiteboard Wednesday is brought to you by Nate Bull and Mark Van Andel, leaders of an urban church plant in Detroit, Michigan, called Hesed. First of all, Nate and Mark stress …
Church Snopes: Debunking Common Myths about Starting New Churches
Myth: We don’t need any more churches in North America Reality: While we have made much progress over the last two decades by starting thousands of new churches across North America, three facts are sobering: 1) The number of church starts parallels the number of church closures. 2) The rate of population growth in North America exceeds the rate of …
Going Back to Middle School
There are many lessons to be learned in middle school. One such lesson is found in studying middle school literature. This week’s Whiteboard Wednesday is brought to you by Dan Ackerman, Executive Leader for Zeeland Classis of the RCA. Dan will tell you of his recent experience reading middle school literature and the lessons he gleaned from it. He starts …
Luminex Podcast 12: Missions in Detroit
When we think of missions, we often think of crossing oceans to witness to unreached people groups. But in reality, there are unreached people right here in our American cities. On this week’s podcast we have Nate Bull and Mark Van Andel from Hesed Community Church in Detroit. They tell of their ministry in some of Detroit’s toughest neighborhoods. [00:00:30] …
Introduction to the 3DM Learning Circle
This week is an introduction to the 3DM Learning Circle, a tool to process life’s kairos moments – simply put, moments that make you sad, mad, or glad. Our speaker, Roger Bird, is from The Bridge in Allegan, a church that began 9 years ago. Their main goal was to be a missional church, but found that they were burning …
Discipleship
Mark 3:13-18: “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), …