4/30/07

Just a few days ago I talked to a Christian who has been missing from church the last few weeks. He is upset. Guess what? He doesn’t like the music.

Doesn’t this music thing drive you nuts some times? Me too.  A couple of observations & suggestions.

(1) Is there some way that we can stop the evil one from getting victory on this issue? (2) Can we be a little more flexible as to the absence of our favorite, instruments, style, volume etc? (3) IF WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ANYTHING, CAN’T WE PRACTICE OUR CHRISITIANITY  AND COMMUNICATE OUR FEELINGS IN A LOVING WAY – - – AND NOT JUST QUIT,  COMPLAIN AND NOT SHOW UP ANY MORE?

There needs to be some loving teaching and preaching (if possible before people get mad and quit.) Something along this line: (1) What a Christian should do when they have a complaint. (2) Who do you talk to when you have a complaint? (3) How should you present your case?

Oh, Keeping our eye on God’s priorities and a good measure of flexibility helps greatly!

- together seeking to bear much fruit for our Master, Larry

Comments are invited. Just click on comments below this post. Thank you. & God help us!

4/28/07

Under the category of LEADERS I entered a post today called (Problem Solving 1). I plan to add more to this subject in the future because satan often sidetracks churches with problems. And we church leaders get bogged down and hindered in our effort to bear much fruit for our Master. 

In my personal Exodus devotion this morning I was blessed by seeing the Israelites work together so beautifully in preparing the Tabernacle. They gave generously and unselfishly, they took a huge project and completed it successfully by each one doing their part and working together. They followed God’s instructions to a “T.”

It’s beautiful in any congregation when we see these attributes in brother & sister Christians. When we give generously and unselfishly, when we each one work together to accomplish a great project for God, and when we follow God’s instructions to a “T.”

I cherish your comments, click on the word comments below this post. Thank you so much!

- together seeking to bear much fruit for our Master, Larry

Problem Solving 1

The Church Encouragement Services Seminar goes into some depth on the subject of “Problem Solving” in the church. This is an important subject to church leaders because satan can use problems to sidetrack us from God’s priorities for His church.

One of the basic concepts in church problem solving is identifying the differance between “surface problems” and “root problems.” The first thing to do when any problem pops up in the congregation is to see what root problem needs to be addressed.

In the CES Seminar we provide lists to help learn to identify each of these two areas of problems. I will consider entering those complete lists into the LEADERS Category in the future. But for now I will give just a few examples.

Surface Problems like: (1) people who seem to be against everything, (2) people who seem cold and lifeless in their Christian walk,  (3) those who hold a grudge & (4) those who are stingy & tight with money.

In these examples I am NOT suggesting that this particular sample of surface problems directly relates to this example of root problems.

Root Problems like: (1) lack of faith, (2) lack of knowledge of the Word, (3) no vision (4) weak in Christian love, & ((5) those who havn’t learned to seek first the Kingdom

See how this works? We often unwittingly only address the surface problems, neglecting the root problems and wonder why we make little progress.

4/27/07

I added “Silent Sermons” or Placards to the blog site today. In the seminar manual they are full color, suitable for framing, reminders of some importance. They are throughout the manual and emphasize some of the teaching points of each chapter. In the blog site I put them under the category of help for churches.

Really I have not advertised this blog site yet. I have just notified those on my e-mail address list rtdmin@hoosierlink.net & passed out the blog address, on the back of my business cards, to some of my friends and acquaintances. We will make it more known at the North American Christian Convention – Church Encouragement Services Inc. booth and @ our 2 workshops.

You can be a big help in getting the word out by passing on the blog site, (churchhelp.wordpress.com) to those you think would be interested & benefit. Nothing like word of mouth. Thank you. 

-together seeking to bear much fruit for our Master, Larry

Hey, I need your comments!

Silent Sermons / Placards

SILENT SERMONS or PLACARDS                  

From the manual  – “Raising the Dead”

(New Life for Churches)   By Larry Ferguson                    

  1.  “Priorities of the Church”

              (At the end of Chapter six on “Leaders.”)

  2.  “ All Things Building Up”

             I Corinthians 14:26

  3.  “All Things Decently and In Order”

             I Corinthians 14:40

  4.  “In All Things Love”

             I Corinthians 16:14

  5.  “God Deserves First Class”

  6.  “God Didn’t Make No Junk”

           copied (Poster available.)

  7.  “Set Things Up For Success” 

  8.  “Use Me or Lose Me”

  9.  “Plan Your Work – Work Your Plan”

10.  “It Starts With a Revival of Prayer.”

11.  “Preacher’s Job Description”

        (Copy at the end of Chapter Seven.)

12.  “Elder’s Job Description”

        (Copy at the end of Chapter Eight.)

13.  “Deacon’s Job Description”

        (Copy at the end of Chapter Nine.)

14.  “Teacher’s Job Description”

        (Copy at the end of Chapter Ten.)

15.  “Acknowledge Him In All Of Your Ways

        And He Will Direct Your Paths” Proverbs 3:6

16.  “Planning Procedure”

       ( Copy at the end of chapter 11)

17.  “Problems Are Opportunities.”

18.  “Always Be Joyful” I Thessalonians 5:16

19.  “Pray Without Ceasing” I Thessalonians 5:17

20.  “In Everything Give Thanks”

          I Thessalonians 5:18

21.  “Where God Guides, He Provides”

22.  “Plan Success for the Low Times”

23.  “Take Time to Show Appreciation”

24.  “What You Say Is What You Get”

25.  “When God Shuts One Door He Opens Another”

26.  “Don’t Deny, Identify”

27.  “The Family Doesn’t Grow

         If There Are No New Babies”

28.  Baby Steps

4/26/07

I added (10) new church leadership “Focus Points” to the blog today. There are 64 all together. They are under the category “Focus Points”

I was reading from the book of Exodus in my devotions. I noticed again how beautiful God made everything. Especially the tabernacle, all the splendid blue, purple, red and gold. And then Aaron’s outfit. WOW! twelve different jewels ) it must have weighed a ton)

God always makes everything first class and we should always make everything first class for Him in His’ Kingdom, the church. God forgive us when we give You anything less.

-together seeking to bear much fruit for our Master, Larry

Send me your comments.

FOCUS POINT 30

The more methods you use to reach a goal

 the greater probability of reaching it.

FOCUS POINT 29

Be sure your children see you

 studying and enjoying the Bible.

FOCUS POINT 28

Those that are bent on stopping all change and refusing to be a part should not be allowed to sidetrack the body of Christ. Suggestion: Find a ministry for them so they can feel a part of all this. Plug them into a ministry where they can use their Spiritual Gift. When a church is small and struggling you can’t afford to lose anyone. However, sad to say, in most struggling churches where there is new life, new methods and change, it seems inevitable that a few leave to find a church where they are feel more comfortable. Make every effort to love and care for these people. Explanation, prayer, careful communication and becoming a part of an enjoyable ministry often help. BUT, sometimes it doesn’t and after being so careful, they still leave, *Some leave and come back later.

FOCUS POINT 27

PRECEDE CHANGE WITH PRAYER, THOUGHTFULNESS, COMMUNICATION, CAUTION, CARE, LOVE AND INSTRUCTION.