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. …

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 …

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, …

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 …

by Keith Roberts
The one thing most of us would rather do than preach, is hear another great preacher. I mean a “Great” preacher. I’ve learned plenty from hearing the best preachers, especially in a live setting. For most of my life, when sitting under a great preacher, I’ve taken dual sets of notes, including content on one list, and a separate set of notes on their communication skills. What have I discovered in these 40 years worth of notes? Here’s my summary:
1. Content:
All of my “Great Preachers” had something to …

The Guest Minister’s Guide
A – Accept not gifts without Pastor’s knowledge
B – Boast not – “The most difficult secret for a man to keep is the opinion he has of himself”
C – Counsel not saints
D – “Drink not, nor talk with your mouth full.”
E – “Every winner has scars” – “Failure is only the opportunity to more intelligently begin again.”
F – Flexibility – “When in Rome do as the Romans” (1 Cor. 9:22)
G – Get involved in the service – “Sow much reap much, sow little reap little.”
H – Have …

1 Sam 12:23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
Certainly, sin presents itself in many ways. In fact, it appears as though the limits to sin are only set by the extent of man’s imagination and willingness to do so. In the life of a minister, there seems to be a sin which falls outside of the category of the common Christian. It is something that appears …

Gaining foothold among “intellectuals”, largely due to exposure from movies such as, “DaVinci Code” and “Angels and Demons”, is a term called, “polymath”. Seeking to discredit religiosity and Christianity, this regard for those of supposed “higher knowledge” tries to discredit the beliefs of average individuals.
According to Wikipedia, A polymath is a person, with superior intelligence, whose expertise spans a significant number of subject areas. In less formal terms, a polymath (or polymathic person) may simply refer to someone who is very knowledgeable. Most ancient scientists were considered polymaths by today’s …

Some have asked the question, “Does God change His mind?”, or, “Does God repent?”
This question stems from verses in scripture that state things like, “…it repented the Lord that He made man…” This type of phraseology is simply man’s way of describing the actions taken by an unchanging God.
God does not change his mind.
“I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” Malachi 3:6
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change …