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Chart Your Journey Through Church Leadership
Chart Your Journey Through Church Leadership
Ray Evans
Leading a church can be like using a chart at sea, so mapping your journey and navigating the big picture is key to growth.
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Ministry Endurance and Avoiding Burnout
Ministry Endurance and Avoiding Burnout
Rachel Sloan
With more and more pastors and church leaders considering leaving ministry, what can help us endure to the end while sacrificially serving others?
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Partnership in Planting
Partnership in Planting
Duncan Cobbett
Three churches in Worcestershire are partnering together to form a new church: Grace Church Kidderminster.
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Unrealistic Expectations for Council Estate Ministry
Unrealistic Expectations for Council Estate Ministry
Ian Williamson
Churches serving council estates can face distractions and discouragements, yet shifting expectations can help ministry persevere and bear fruit.
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Catechisms and Contending for the Faith
Catechisms and Contending for the Faith
Tim Hayward
Throughout church history, pastors have taught the fundamentals of the faith through catechesis. What might that look like for a modern church?
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Making Space for Mums
Making Space for Mums
Rachel Sloan , Cid Sparks
Many of our churches run parent & toddler groups, but how do you take the next steps in introducing parents to Christ?
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From Generation to Generation
From Generation to Generation
Graeme Shanks
Our churches are made up of people from different generations. How can we harness the potential that a truly intergenerational church family presents?
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5 Reasons to Go to the Ministry Wives Retreat
5 Reasons to Go to the Ministry Wives Retreat
Kathryn Tearle
Our retreat for ministry wives offers refreshment and rest over 48 hours. Here’s why ministry wife Kathryn Tearle thinks others should come.
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What All Churches Can Learn from Scotland's Census
What All Churches Can Learn from Scotland's Census
Andy Hunter
Published this week, Scotland's Census 2022 reveals that the majority of people now say they have "no religion". What are the implications for us?
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12 Things God Can't Do (Book Review)
Paul Mallard
An accessible and practical introduction to some of the most profound aspects of the doctrine of God.
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Why Do We Need Church Policies?
Why Do We Need Church Policies?
Becky Thomas
Why do we have to bother with policies in our churches? How do we make a start and get support?
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Perfect Unity (Book Review)
Paul Mallard
Ralph Cunnington takes us on a journey through the central doctrines of the faith, helping us celebrate diversity while maintaining unity.
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Evangelical Unity and the Principle of Balance
Evangelical Unity and the Principle of Balance
Johnny Prime
In matters that divide Christians, or cause fierce debate, “the principle of balance” is key for maintaining evangelical unity.
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Growth and Change (Book Review)
Ray Evans
A must-read for church leaders who long for their churches to be all that they could be: growing in number and in likeness to Christ.
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Being There (Book Review)
Johnny Prime
Writing from personal experience, Dave Furman’s book is full of applied, practical, pastoral theology that instructs us in our care for the hurting.
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Scattering Seeds of Hope (Book Review)
Trevor Archer
Jeremy Marshall has left us a book full of practical and inspirational ways of sharing the gospel; his greatest passion.
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A Property Partnership
A Property Partnership
Thomas Welch
Shared ownership of housing between churches and their workers could make accommodation much more affordable and display a powerful gospel commitment.
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Podcasts for Church Leaders (2024 Edition)
Podcasts for Church Leaders (2024 Edition)
Joel Murray
If you’re a podcast listener, or you'd like to be, here are some recommendations to help you in your church ministry.
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Serve (Book Review)
Andy Hunter
In this book, Steve Robinson helps believers – new and old – seek to serve in a way that is sustainable and focused on the gospel.
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How Pastors Learn Through Experience
How Pastors Learn Through Experience
Johnny Prime
When issues in church life arise beyond our experience, we can learn by seeking the counsel of others and through training in spiritual warfare.
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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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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
David Shaw , Nathan Weston
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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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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