7/31/07

Plans are progressing toward our first Church Leaders Session in October. I submitted a news release to the local paper, the Plymouth Pilot, and have the expectation of being on the church page this coming Saturday. (August 4)

Following the news release we will be calling area churches as a point of information then an area church mail out with a registration card. Appreciate your prayers as Church Encouragement Services seeks more way to encourage churches.

Together, seeking to bear much fruit for our Master, Larry

7/28/07

Finished 1 Samual starting 2 Samual in my daily devotions. This is the record of the beginning of the transition between Saul & David. I notice David’s high regard for God’s annointed.

Makes me think of the balance between accepting church leaders as a fellow soldier of the cross and the proper respect of one called of God for special Christian service. We preachers have saught to be accepted as a fellow Christian, yet I believe that effort has some times backfired till we’re like the old comedian Rodney Dangerdield, “I don’t get no respect.”

It is a balance.  Even the New Testament challenges us to “respect our elders.”

It is not impossible to have both. We should always have a special respect for the things of God.   David did.

7/26/07

A quick note to encourage you to read the three previous posts. This system always puts the last post at the top and moves the previous posts down. some times I enter two or three posts the same day and if you only read the top one you’ll miss some good stuff.  Remember these 3 helpful tips:

1. Check Categories for A Categories Directory to get an overview of all that is available.

2. Help us get the word out to church leaders about what is avialable on this blog          churchhelp.wordpress.com

 3. Take a moment to give us your COMMENTS. Click on comments it only takes a minute and helps us a lot Thank you!

Together, seeking to bear much fruit for our Master, Larry

7/23/07 B

Just a quick note to introduce the post following this one.  Last Saturday Church Encouragement Services Inc. had its current Executive Board Meeting. This group produces much progress and development for this ministry. Anyway, a new CES ministry is on the burner from this meeting. It is the CES Church Leadership Session, much shorter than the CES Seminar . They will be county-wide. For all church leaders, preachers, elders, deacons, ministry leaders etc. They will be at a mutual location. Two hours long, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM on a Saturday. The first hour will be lecture the second hour will be open discussion. The first topic will be “Church Board Meetings.” The following post gives some detail of what this first session is forming up to become.

Leaders Sessions 1

LET’S TALK ABOUT CHURCH BOARD MEETINGS – BUSINESS MEETINGS – &/OR  SESSIONS
 

Why this needs to be talked about:
Meetings become a bottleneck to progress.
Church business advances at a snails pace or not at all.
Members dread the meetings
Feel like little or nothing is ever accomplished.
Often a lack of unity and difficulty agreeing.

WRONG CONCEPTS
Feeling like nothing can be done to improve.
Feeling like church tradition prohibits improvments.

*CHURCH LEADERSHIP BREAKTHROUGH
*PRINCIPLES TURNING NEGATIVE TO POSITIVE.
*PRAYER & SCRIPTURE IN BUSINESS MEETINGS.
*THE CHURCH LEADERS ATTITUDE.
*DOING ALL THINGS DECENTLY AND IN ORDER.
*RE-DEFINING GOALS AND PURPOSE.
*PRODUCING A TRACK RECORD OF ACCOMPLISMENT.
*IMPORTANCE OF THE CHURCH LEADER’S FAITH.
*RESEARCH, REPORTING & IMPLEMENTING.
*3 STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION.
*SOAKING THE BEANS.
*THE CONCEPT OF EXPERIMENTATION.
                                          AND MORE

Church Encouragement Services Inc.
Offers this 2 Hour Leadership Improvement Session 1
Saturdays (DATE) from 9:30 to 11:30 AM
First Hour Lecture
Second Hour Open Discussion
$20 per individual
or $100 per church

7/23/07

Welcome new bloggers from the North American Christian Convention. (Glad to have you regulars as well.) Few points about getting the most from this Blog Site:

1. In the Categories File go to A Catgegories Directory. This will show you all the options from Church Encouragements Services. I wish that you could just click on those to get to the particualr categories, Oh well. You find what you want and then go back to the Categories File and select your choice.

2. We desire your comments. They are easy to make by just clicking on COMMENTS at the bottom of any particular post.

3. Our primary advertising is just word of mouth. So, if you enjoy this Blog and it provides help for you, tell preachers, elders, deacons, ministry leaders etc.  churchhelp.wordpress.com

4. This is hosted by Larry Ferguson director of Church Encouragement Services Inc. Our primary ministry is the CES week-end seminar. Using our 500 page resource manual “Raising the Dead” (new life for churches) Our other ministries include: our Saturday morning 2 hour county wide Leaders Session. Example: Let’s talk about Church Board Meetings.  And this Church Leaders Blog site.

15 MINUTES OF PRAYER BEFORE EACH MTG.

FIFTEEN MINUTES OF PRAYER 

This is from the CES Seminar “Revival of Prayer” Suggesting that every group in the church has 15 minutes of prayer before they begin. This includes Bible School, youth meetings, women’s meetings, committee meetings, men’s meetings, choir, worship team etc.  These are ideas of some of the things that could be prayed about.

  1.  The sick by name and need  2.  Leaders of the church by name and need.  3.  Missionaries by name and need.  4.  Preacher and wife by  name and need.  5.  Particular praise to Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Father.  6.  Lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him.  7.  Surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  8.  Brighten the building program and finances.  9.  For faith.10.  For Vision  11.  For wisdom.12.  The Helping Hands ministry.  (Women’s ministries) 13.  The youth ministry.14.  The Muppets ministry. 15.  The worship team. 16.  The transparency team.17.  Boldness and courage.18.  That we take advantage of any opportunity to share Christ.19.  That we be salt and light.20.  That we put God first in our lives.21.  Restore to us the joy of our salvation.   22. Resist satan. 23.  Unity,  oneness in Christ Jesus.24. To glorify and lift up Christ.25.  That we be filled with the Holy Spirit.26.  That we love all people. 27. That we reach thirty new people for Christ in the next twelve months. 28.  Praise and thanksgiving for the way that God is leading us right now. 29. That God will continue to lead us.30.  Thanks for:  The cross,  salvation, the church,  the Bible,  Prayer and the hope of heaven.31.  That every Christian will use their Spiritual Gift for God.32.  For God to draw us close to Him as we learn to acknowledge Him more in a Revival of Prayer.  33.  Give our leaders vision,  faith,  courage and wisdom.  (Wisdom means looking at life from God’s point of view.  Knowing and doing right.) 34.  Bible Colleges,                        35. Government. 36.  Help us to love the Word of God and to hunger and thirst after righteousness. 37.  Help us to have a deep desire to meet people’s needs and a wonderful satisfaction in doing it. 38.  Help us to praise You more completely. 39.  To bless Your people abundantly. 40.  For a revival of Christian values in America. 41.  Help us to give generously.

WORSHIP PRAYER #3 – BLESSING ON THE PEOPLE

WORSHIP PRAYER # 3        BLESSING ON THE PEOPLE 

 1.  Be a companion to the lonely.  2.  Be the great problem solver to those with problems.  3.  Help those that have financial difficulties . 4.  Comfort those that need comfort.  5.  Protect those under attack.  6.  Encourage the discouraged.   7. Give wisdom to those making decisions.  8.  Give direction to those that don’t know which way to turn.  9.  Bring unity to broken families. 10.  Take away the pain of those that are hurting. 11.  Bring joy to the unhappy. 12.  Strengthen the faith of those who doubt. 13.  Give a vision to those who have lost hope. 14.  Help those that are negative to be positive.          15.  Help those that worry to trust You more. 16.  Help those whose foundation is weak to love Your Word. 17.  Teach us to pray,  to acknowledge You in all of our ways. 18.  Help us to please You and glorify You19.  Help us to let our light shine for You. 20.  Bless Your people with prosperity and let them know that it came from You. 21.  Provide for us so that we are able to give generously.

MORE WORSHIP PRAYER #2 -PRAISE

MORE WORSHIP PRAYER # 2 – PRAISING THE LORD This list of topics will be helpful in your prayers of thanksgiving and praise. If you have others to add, write them down. This list originated in an elders meeting and was the foundation for the prayer time that evening. They are God You are prayers
You are my Strong Right Arm    My hiding place   My Shepherd Shelter Rock You are Good My Provider You are Life My Strength. You are Light You are Truth You are my Hope You are Faithful You are my Reason for Living You are my Shield The Builder of the house You are Merciful You Reign forever You are Love The Judge of the world You are Wisdom You hear and answer prayer You know me Creator of Heaven and Earth You are my Protector You are most Holy You are Righteous You Restore You are Almighty You are our Teacher You are Compassionate You are our Elder Brother You are Lord Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou You are my Savior You are the Lamb You are my Encourager Jesus Saves You are my Defender You are my Counselor He satisfies You are Prince of Peace You are worthy You are the Everlasting Father He is Risen Your Love endures forever He is preparing a place for us You adopted us He is the Still small Voice You made us joint heirs God is my Judge You are the Great Physician You are my Promise Keeper You are the Lawgiver You never forget You forgive / You are Just / You are my Helper You are my Refuge You are Awesome You understand You are Power You listen Beginning and the End You have spoken You are my Comforter You wait You Convict You are Boldness You are Wonderful You are my Joy You uphold You give another chance You are Sweet You are Glorious You are my Sanctuary You free me from bondage You are my King You Direct my paths You are Trustworthy

WORSHIP PRAYER #2 – PRAISE

WORSHIP PRAYER # 2                                               PRAYERS OF PRAISE

  1.  You are Holy  2.  You are Love  3.  You are Merciful         4.  You are our Creator  5.  You are the giver of all good and perfect gifts.  6.  You are our Salvation  7.  You are our Rock and Foundation  8.  You are our Hope  9 . You lift up our souls. 10.  You are our Provider. 11.  You are our Shield and Protector. 12.  You are our Light. 13.  You direct our paths.  14.  You take care of all of our needs. 15.  You help us in the time of trouble. 16.  You answer our questions. 17.  You give us the reason for living. 18.  You are our Strength. 19.  You are our Wisdom. 20.  You are our Peace. 21.  You are the Chief Shepherd.  22.  You are the Great Physician and Healer.