Denzil Holman, pastor of River of Life Fellowship in Bakersfield, CA and author of several books ranging from prayer to unity to revival, presents the following practical list for Church Growth.
1. Visualize
Without a vision, we have nothing to strive and reach for. Visualize new people in the pews, altar and bapistry.
2. Analyze
Where are we now? Where do we go from here? Analyze your weaknesses and strengths. Forget past defeats, Reach forth with faith.
3. Utilize
We are the key. If it is to be, it is up to me. …

“It troubles me when I hear people talk about our doctrine and they are referring only to our belief and convictions on the new birth, the revelation of the oneness of God, and our Acts 2:38 experience. They call that our doctrine. Then they call our lifestyle “standards.” I want you to know the doctrine of seperation is not only a doctrine of the church; it is the purpose of the gospel. It is not an additional doctrine to embrance… …but I tell you (Acts 2:38) that’s only the way …

Though a minister may have passion, knowledge, etc., a lack of proper ethics will close doors and squelch your ministry.
Your ethics will be what people will see and remember for years to come.
Following are some tips to help nurture ethics in altar ministry:
The altar must be planned and prayed for as much or more than the rest of your sermon.
The difference between a good and a great service is knowing how to give, make and keep the altar call.
Pray and ask God when and how to make the call for …

In an article written by Pastor J. Mark Jordan entitled, “Passing the Usability Test”, a brief collection of criteria is set forth to help leaders select individuals to use in the church. Jordan states, “Generally speaking, those who choose participants for worship services or ministries operate on a set of criteria that is the same for everybody.  If you want to be used, you should prepare to pass the usability test.” Following are highlights from the list:
Ability.  Do you have the ability? Let’s face it: if you have little or …

Speak when you are angry and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret.

Following are 22 questions the members of John Wesley’s “Holy Club” asked themselves each day in their private devotions over 250 years ago.
1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, …

“If we want to know if we are a holy person, here is the true test of holiness: Jesus Christ. How do we measure up to that Holy One? When we are comparing ourselves to Him, there is a hunger to be more and more holy; to be more and more like Him. As we grow closer to Him, we take on His attributes. His holiness, and the world can see Christ through us.”
From the January issue of the Pentecostal Herald

Though a minister may have passion, knowledge, etc., a lack of proper ethics will close doors and squelch your ministry.
Your ethics will be what people will see and remember for years to come.
Following are some tips to help nurture ethics in dealing with pastors:

Always refer to them as, “Pastor” of “Brother”.
Compliment them sincerely about something they have done or said. Attributes of their church, its worship, its ministry, their writings, etc.
Don’t be presumptuous. Don’t expect or prod them to invite you.
Always be humble.     Never promote yourself, bragging on …

In Valladolid, Spain stands a monument to the great explorer Christopher Columbus. Its most interesting feature is the statue of a lion destroying one of three Latin words – three words that had been part of Spain’s motto for centuries.
1492
On his first voyage, Christopher Columbus sailed through unknown waters to an unknown destination. Before his voyage, Spain’s standards carried three words in Latin. The same words were written on the left edge of the maps of that day. Even the Straits of Gibraltar carried the same three words, chiselled into …

“Gossip involves saying behind a person’s back what you would never say to his or her face.  Flattery means saying to a person’s face what you would never say behind his or her back.” – R. Kent Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Man, p. 139.