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God’s Big Promises Bible Storybook (Book Review)
–Adrian Reynolds
Drawing biblical faithfulness and delightful visuals together for children is a tough task. This new book is a great option that does just that.
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5 Ways to Make the Most of the Leaders' Conference
5 Ways to Make the Most of the Leaders' Conference
–Joel Murray
A national conference can be exciting but overwhelming, and we want you to make the most of your time with us. Here are some things to bear in mind.
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Bad Shepherds and Good Shepherds
Bad Shepherds and Good Shepherds
–Johnny Prime
Sheep need shepherd-leaders provided by and patterned on the Good Shepherd, Jesus. Without them, sheep will be harmed, malnourished, and vulnerable.
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An Even Playing Field to Share the Bible
An Even Playing Field to Share the Bible
–Rachel Land
The Word One to One provides an opportunity for Christians to confidently share the word of God with their friends and family.
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A Gospel-Hearted Love for Smaller Churches
A Gospel-Hearted Love for Smaller Churches
–Simon Medcroft
A large church in Essex has sacrificially taken steps to partner with smaller churches in the county to reach more people with the gospel.
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Church in a Weekend
Church in a Weekend
–Adrian Reynolds
The breadth and depth of local churches in FIEC was encouragingly reflected this weekend by where FIEC staff were serving.
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Know Your Flock Before You Preach
Know Your Flock Before You Preach
–Johnny Prime
A wise pastor-teacher seeks to share their life with and take time to know those they preach to.
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Raising Confident Kids (Book Review)
–Joel Murray
Ed Drew’s book sets out principles for every Christian parent to help their children know who they are and whose they are.
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Buying Too Small
Buying Too Small
–Joel Murray
What are the benefits of buying a building that your church can’t fit into?
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Caring for Widows (Book Review)
–Gareth Lewis
A book that deserves to be read by all church leaders to help prepare them for the growing number of widows in our congregations.
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Road Map to Jesus (Book Review)
–Paul Mallard
How do the God and events of the Old Testament relate to Jesus? Alistair Chalmers’ short and very helpful book gives answers to this and more.
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Refreshed (Book Review)
–Adrian Reynolds
John Hindley’s ‘Refreshed’ is a super holiday devotional book to come back to each year.
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Advice from a Retiring Minister
Advice from a Retiring Minister
–John Samuel
John Samuel offers some words of advice for young (and old) pastors after 37 years of church ministry.
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Ministry Couples at the Leaders' Conference
Ministry Couples at the Leaders' Conference
–Vicky Cockram, Will Cockram
Why you should think about coming to the Leaders’ Conference with your spouse, and how to make the most of it if you do.
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Priscilla, Where Are You? (Book Review)
–Elinor Magowan
Natalie Brand’s book is a timely and helpful challenge to women in our churches to commit to joyful theology.
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Busy (Book Review)
–Rachel Sloan
In a world of being busy, Ian Carmichael helps us understand what God’s plan is for our busyness and our rest.
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Why a Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches?
Why a Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches?
–Derek Prime
The reasons for independent evangelical churches to be in fellowship are just as valid now as they were 50 and 100 years ago.
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Unconventional (Book Review)
–Rachel Sloan
A practical resource for starting or reviewing a robust women’s ministry that teaches, equips, and cares for women in the church.
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Confessions of a Moderator
Confessions of a Moderator
–Bob Cain
What lessons are there to learn through the process of searching for a new pastor with help from a moderator?
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Holding Out Hope for Hidden Sufferers
Holding Out Hope for Hidden Sufferers
–Alison Woods
A church in Scotland has produced some thoughtful and sensitive posters to enable domestic abuse victims to disclose safely and find hope and healing.
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Your Church's Digital Presence (Why, Who, What)
Your Church's Digital Presence (Why, Who, What)
–Joel Murray
A church's digital presence is almost as important, if not more so, than their physical presence in their community. How can we make the most of it?
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A New Building for a Cheshire Church
A New Building for a Cheshire Church
–Joel Murray
After outgrowing their old building, and outgrowing their rented building, it’s time for a brand-new building for a church in central Cheshire.
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How to Pray for One Hundred
How to Pray for One Hundred
–Joel Murray
Here are some different ways you can pray for gospel mission across the UK using the Pray for One Hundred guide.
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Christmas Praise! (Resource Review)
–Adrian Reynolds
A spiral-bound collection of well-known and less-known Christmas songs for your Advent programme.
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Can I Have Friends at Church?
–Elinor Magowan
Some ministry wives are given the advice not to make friends at their church. But is that really the right way?
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Sing a New (Centenary) Song
Sing a New (Centenary) Song
–Adrian Reynolds
FIEC has commissioned a new song to mark its 100th year.
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Embracing Complementarianism (Book Review)
–Rachel Sloan
A welcome addition to the thinking on how complementarianism can be put into practice for the flourishing of the church.
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The Universe is Made of Stories
The Universe is Made of Stories
–Matt Lillicrap
The stories we tell reveal the life we long for and can point to the Lord who alone can satisfy us.
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Leaders Who Follow (Book Review)
–Ray Evans
Trusting, following, and experiencing the love of Jesus keeps us humbly serving his cause, rather than our own.
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Support For and From Ministry Wives
Support For and From Ministry Wives
–Caroline Haley
The role of a ministry wife can be incredibly lonely at times. Getting together with other women who understand what it’s like can be a great support.
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How to Have Difficult Conversations
How to Have Difficult Conversations
–Ray Evans
When a difficult conversation is needed, how can we go about them to reach a resolution, whilst avoiding an abuse of power?
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Difficult, Inevitable, and Necessary
Difficult, Inevitable, and Necessary
–Ray Evans
Understanding that difficult conversations need to be had, and how people may respond, is key to a good resolution.
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When Can I Say 'No' in Church Life?
–Elinor Magowan
A good ministry wife is sacrificial and always willing to say "yes" in church life... aren't they?
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Why Difficult Conversations Are Getting More Difficult
Why Difficult Conversations Are Getting More Difficult
–Ray Evans
Challenging someone about their beliefs, choices, or actions feels more and more problematic. What has caused this shift?
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Gospel-Driven Wills and Legacies
Gospel-Driven Wills and Legacies
–Ray Evans
How often are you advising, teaching, and envisioning believers in your church about how they should use their wealth?
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How to Make the Most of Your FIEC Church Profile
How to Make the Most of Your FIEC Church Profile
–Joel Murray
Your church profile on the FIEC website is an effective and free tool to reach church-searchers and welcome them in.
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The Freedoms of Independency
The Freedoms of Independency
–John Stevens
There are significant advantages to being an Independent, autonomous, and self-governing church.
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Releasing Women for Ministry
Releasing Women for Ministry
–Rachel Sloan
FIEC churches have long valued women serving in ministry. How can your church release, develop and champion this essential work?
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Great Gain
Great Gain
–Adrian Reynolds
Disaster can come when godliness is left in the shadow of gifting. But the New Testament urges church leaders to pursue both.
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A Prayed-For Plant
A Prayed-For Plant
–Joel Murray, Kenny Rogan
Prayer has played a key part in the launch of Hope Church Aviemore – from initial discussions, to launch, and now into the future.
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Small Changes for a Big Difference
Small Changes for a Big Difference
–Stui Chaplin
Whether part of your church family or not, the whole congregation needs to be equipped to welcome people with additional needs and love them well.
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Who was Edward J Poole-Connor?
Who was Edward J Poole-Connor?
–FIEC has been helping churches work together for 100 years, since its first meeting was convened by Edward J Poole-Connor. Who was this pioneer?
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Insuring Your Church
Insuring Your Church
–Barry Walker
Few of us are concerned about insurance until we make a claim. What should church leaders be considering before a claim is needed?
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The Problem with Hymns
The Problem with Hymns
–Sam Smith
We are blessed to have a treasure trove of old hymns in the history of the church. So why do so many sit dormant in dusty hymnbooks?
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6 Ways to Keep Church Seven Days a Week
6 Ways to Keep Church Seven Days a Week
–Joel Murray
The church is called to gather, but also to encourage, to pray, to witness. Online technology can help us do that all through the week.
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Church in a Box (Lessons for Meeting in a Rented Building)
Church in a Box (Lessons for Meeting in a Rented Building)
–Adrian Reynolds
Five practical issues for churches who meet in rented premises to grapple with.
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Friendship Lessons from the Royal Navy
Friendship Lessons from the Royal Navy
–Adrian Reynolds
It might be difficult to spot how investment in friendship can help your ministry, but it is worth its weight in gold.
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Making Faith Magnetic (Book Review)
–Rachel Sloan
Dan Strange’s excellent book encourages us to engage with the questions people are asking in order to point them to Jesus.
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5 Lessons for Churches Hosting Refugees
5 Lessons for Churches Hosting Refugees
–Brian Whittaker
As homes across Britain are opened to host Ukrainians fleeing the war, what do church leaders need to do to welcome refugees into church life?
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Three Books to Read on Leadership in 2022
Three Books to Read on Leadership in 2022
–Ray Evans
Three important Christian leadership books were published in 2021 which would be a good addition to your reading list this year.
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The Nearly Impossible Task
The Nearly Impossible Task
–Ray Evans
Leading your church in mission and evangelism is a difficult but important job. How can we avoid guilt whilst pushing it to the top of our agenda?
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Powerful Leaders? (Book Review)
–Ray Evans
Marcus Honeysett’s important book on spiritual abuse is challenging, humbling, and full of insights to help you serve others, and Christ, better.
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Leading the Church in Response to Ukraine
Leading the Church in Response to Ukraine
–Adrian Reynolds
Four things church leaders can do to lead their churches in response to the situation in Ukraine as it continues to deteriorate.
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The Least, the Last, and the Lost (Book Review)
–Alistair Chalmers
Mez McConnell’s new book is a must-read for pastors, church planters, and those trying to reach people in schemes or council estates with the gospel.
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Podcasts for Church Leaders (2022 Edition)
Podcasts for Church Leaders (2022 Edition)
–Joel Murray
If you’re an avid podcast listener, or you don’t know where to start, here are some recommendations to help you in your church ministry.
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Time Well Spent (Book Review)
–Adrian Reynolds
Colin Webster’s short book gives practical and encouraging advice to help make the most of your quiet times.
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Why You Should Mix Up your Small Groups (and How to Do It)
Why You Should Mix Up your Small Groups (and How to Do It)
–Andy Hunter
Mixing up a church's small groups can be wise but is there a way to do it without losing all the relational benefits already built up?
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How to Spot a Healthy Church
How to Spot a Healthy Church
–Jonathan Bond
What does a church look like that is truly growing and knowing God’s grace upon it?
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Serving in a Smaller Church
Serving in a Smaller Church
–Jonathan Bond
The best place for you to serve is where the Lord wants you, not where the biggest church is.
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The Answer to the Loneliness Epidemic
The Answer to the Loneliness Epidemic
–John Stevens
The birth of Jesus is a foretaste and anticipation of God’s dwelling with his people. God is with us: then, now, and forever.
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How to Receive Criticism and Respond Well
How to Receive Criticism and Respond Well
–Lewis Allen
Receiving criticism is part of pastoral ministry and is the Lord’s appointed means of change as you respond well to it.
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The Glorious Future
–Jonathan Thomas, John Russell, Raymond Brown, Colin Adams, Steve Robinson
The church of Christ has a glorious future! At the 2021 Leaders' Conferences, local pastors each encouraged us with this truth.
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How Innocence/Guilt and Honour/Shame Cultures Collide
How Innocence/Guilt and Honour/Shame Cultures Collide
–Andy Paterson
[Part 21] In cross-cultural evangelism we need to understand someone's cultural paradigm. Here is how the two dominating paradigms interact.
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In Praise of Smaller Churches
In Praise of Smaller Churches
–Jonathan Bond
Nearly half of all FIEC churches have 35 or fewer members. It may seem that these fellowships are failing but in fact many are healthy and thriving.
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Primer 12: In the Flesh
–Understanding and celebrating the person of Christ.
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Brave by Faith (Book Review)
–Rachel Sloan
Alistair Begg shows us how discovering the message of the book of Daniel enables us to stand firm and live bravely.
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Finding My Father (Book Review)
–Elinor Magowan
Blair Linne’s personal story of fatherlessness is compelling, instructive, and insightful. A must-read to help you disciple those that are hurting.
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Cultural Paradigms in Evangelism
Cultural Paradigms in Evangelism
–Andy Paterson
[Part 20] We must be careful to understand where someone is coming from when engaging in cross-cultural evangelism.
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How Should I Respond to Criticism?
–Elinor Magowan
Ministry wives can be acutely aware of criticism of their husbands - and themselves - that may escalate into conflict. How should they respond?
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Getting Out of a Church Rut
Getting Out of a Church Rut
–Ray Evans
Serious issues in church life that go unaddressed can end up getting you stuck in a rut. How do you change things for the better?
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How to Welcome Students into Your Church Family
How to Welcome Students into Your Church Family
–Sophie Cornes
As students begin a new academic year, what are some of the ways the local church can help them feel welcome and part of the family?
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How Can I Be Content as a Ministry Wife?
–Elinor Magowan
There are many challenges that threaten our contentment as ministry wives. When we encounter difficulties, Paul directs us to Christ.
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The 5 Cs of Church Revitalisation
The 5 Cs of Church Revitalisation
–Steve Robinson
The story of a revitalised church in Liverpool which has now multiplied to four church plants has important lessons for churches in need of some help.
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Answer Questions Like and With Jesus
Answer Questions Like and With Jesus
–Andy Paterson
[Part 19] The best way to respond to many questions we face in evangelism is with a question. And then to point the questioner to the ultimate answer.
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Speaking Jesus at Reading Festival
Speaking Jesus at Reading Festival
–Richard Baxter
What do you do when 90,000 festival-goers descend on your town? Find out how a local church took the opportunity to show love and share the gospel.
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Is it Worth the Effort?
–Elinor Magowan
During seasons when the pressure of ministry is keenly felt, the privileges of ministry can escape you. Considering your purpose can help you hold on.
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Pursuing Biblical Generosity
Pursuing Biblical Generosity
–Jonty Allcock
In a culture which isn’t very good at talking about generosity, a church in London ran a week of activity to think about what it means to be generous.
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Servant-Hearted Team Meetings
Servant-Hearted Team Meetings
–Ray Evans
There is more to effective team meetings than simply good time keeping. Leaders must have a servant heart.
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Reach, Views, and Clicks (How to Interpret Video and Social Media Data)
Reach, Views, and Clicks (How to Interpret Video and Social Media Data)
–Joel Murray
Online has become a significant part of church life. What do all the numbers mean and how can they help develop our ministry?
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Do I Have What It Takes to Be a Ministry Wife?
–Elinor Magowan
Feelings of inadequacy and inability can cause huge pressure in the lives of ministry wives. Considering calling and character can help.
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A COVID-19 Risk Assessment Template
A COVID-19 Risk Assessment Template
–Phil Topham
Download a template Risk Assessment which churches can use to help them to decide on how to safely start meeting again after lockdown.
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High-Quality Team-Based Decision Making
High-Quality Team-Based Decision Making
–Ray Evans
If senior leaders can create an open environment for their teams to make better decisions, their churches can really benefit.
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The Habit of Time Management
The Habit of Time Management
–Ray Evans
Good discipline in time-keeping is needed for church leaders to avoid wasting time in church ministry. Seek to make good time-keeping a habit.
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Anticipating the Questions
Anticipating the Questions
–[Part 18] We need to be ready to respond to questions others have about faith. Considering the issues we might face can help prepare ourselves.
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Software for Effective Ministry
Software for Effective Ministry
–Justin Gill
As hybrid and remote working becomes more commonplace, what are the best software options for church staff teams and volunteers to work effectively?
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How Can Churches Care for Creation?
How Can Churches Care for Creation?
–Alan Young
As delegates from around the world gather in Scotland to discuss climate change, how should churches respond?
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Users, Sessions, Pageviews (How to Interpret Website Data)
Users, Sessions, Pageviews (How to Interpret Website Data)
–Joel Murray
Views, channels, and visits can give great insight into who you are reaching with your website. Here’s how to move from numbers to knowledge.
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Illustrating the Culture
Illustrating the Culture
–Andy Paterson
[Part 17] The gospel story intersects with many of the issues that are facing our friends and family, offering opportunities for evangelism.
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3 Ways to Make the Most of Every Opportunity
3 Ways to Make the Most of Every Opportunity
–Andy Paterson
[Part 16] When opportunities for evangelism arise, how should we respond to make the most of them?
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Vital Questions about the Character of Leaders
Vital Questions about the Character of Leaders
–Ray Evans
Character is more important than gifting in Christian leadership. We may know this instinctively, but how should it shape church practice?
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Health & Safety After Lockdown
Health & Safety After Lockdown
–Manny Kemp
The legal coronavirus restrictions that churches in England have gotten used to have been removed. Is it now back to pre-pandemic business as usual?
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Gospel Intentionality
Gospel Intentionality
–Andy Paterson
[Part 15] Every believer should give thought to how evangelism extends to and shapes every area of their lives. And be intentional about acting on it.
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God of All Things (Book Review)
–Adrian Reynolds
Andrew Wilson has written a simple but profound book that will do you the world of good.
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Spirit-Led, Relational Leadership
–Johnny Prime
At the Local Leaders’ Conferences this year we considered how good leadership is relational leadership.
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Does Election Kill Evangelism?
Does Election Kill Evangelism?
–Andy Paterson
[Part 14] Why should we bother sharing the gospel if those who are going to be saved are already chosen?
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Caring for the Chronic Post-Covid
Caring for the Chronic Post-Covid
–Ray Evans
How leaders can care for their churches post-pandemic by considering the difference between acute and chronic.
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Who is in Charge of Evangelism?
Who is in Charge of Evangelism?
–Andy Paterson
[Part 13] What is the decisive factor in evangelism? What does the Bible teach about it?
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Creation Care (Book Review)
–Alan Young
Douglas and Jonathan Moo provide a thrilling, challenging, and inspiring invitation to explore the place of the natural world in God’s purposes.
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14 Years of Faith and God’s Provision in Broadstone
14 Years of Faith and God’s Provision in Broadstone
–Joel Murray
Fourteen years in the making, and in the midst of a global pandemic, a church in Dorset has moved into its new, purpose-built home.
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Mortgages, Savings, and Insurance for the Kingdom
Mortgages, Savings, and Insurance for the Kingdom
–Paul Houghton
How can churches use Kingdom Bank to help steward their money for the good of the kingdom?
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