Barnwell Baptist Church, Cambridge’s Post

There are no one-size-fits-all solutions to the challenges a church faces. In a world screaming in a thousand directions for our focus, it's essential for us to become attentive to God, our congregation, and our community. In 'Attentive Church Leadership,' Kevin Ford and Jim Singleton teach us a posture of attention—to God and the specific community he's placed us in. Order now: https://lnkd.in/gcHieeh8

🌟 A Valuable Lesson from 40 Years of Ministry 🌟 Over my 40 years of ministry, I've had the privilege of serving as both a church planter and a transformational pastor. I've helped start three churches and guided many others towards growth and transformation. Recently, I was asked to share an experience that taught me a valuable lesson, and I thought I'd share it with you all. When Kris and I launched our church plant in the Seattle area, we were probably among the best-trained church planters in the country. We attended several training events, including a week-long boot camp for planting churches. We were assessed by one of the top church plant assessors, and it was green lights all the way through. 🚦 But here's the deal: it's one thing to have all that knowledge, and it's something else to put it into practice. We both engaged in meeting as many people as we could and shared our vision for the new church. We managed to gather a crowd of about 20 people who were committed to launching the church and making a difference in the Seattle area. Everything we'd been taught told us not to launch until we were sure we could break over 100 people in attendance. However, we were all itching for corporate worship experiences, and though we had done everything else right, we launched long before we should have. 🙏 It's difficult to move a church plant forward when you have limited resources in terms of people. Don't get me wrong, we had great worship in those early months, but if we had focused on small group worship experiences instead of launching public worship, it would have been easier to gain and maintain momentum. In other words, one of the valuable lessons I learned is that timing is everything. ⏳ But the biggest lesson I learned is that every leader in the church, including myself, needs a coach who can put a bit in your mouth and pull back the reins before you rush off and do something less than helpful! 🐴 Getting to know me means understanding that even with all the training and knowledge, sometimes we need someone to guide us and help us make the right decisions. It's all part of the journey of growth and transformation. Have you ever had an experience where you needed someone to guide you and help you see the bigger picture? Share your stories in the comments below! #effectivechurch #churchgrowth #pastors #church #ministrylessons #leadership

🌟 A Valuable Lesson from 40 Years of Ministry 🌟 Over my 40 years of ministry, I've had the privilege of serving as both a church planter and a transformational pastor. I've helped start three churches and guided many others towards growth and transformation. Recently, I was asked to share an experience that taught me a valuable lesson, and I thought I'd share it with you all. When Kris and I launched our church plant in the Seattle area, we were probably among the best-trained church planters in the country. We attended several training events, including a week-long boot camp for planting churches. We were assessed by one of the top church plant assessors, and it was green lights all the way through. 🚦 But here's the deal: it's one thing to have all that knowledge, and it's something else to put it into practice. We both engaged in meeting as many people as we could and shared our vision for the new church. We managed to gather a crowd of about 20 people who were committed to launching the church and making a difference in the Seattle area. Everything we'd been taught told us not to launch until we were sure we could break over 100 people in attendance. However, we were all itching for corporate worship experiences, and though we had done everything else right, we launched long before we should have. 🙏 It's difficult to move a church plant forward when you have limited resources in terms of people. Don't get me wrong, we had great worship in those early months, but if we had focused on small group worship experiences instead of launching public worship, it would have been easier to gain and maintain momentum. In other words, one of the valuable lessons I learned is that timing is everything. ⏳ But the biggest lesson I learned is that every leader in the church, including myself, needs a coach who can put a bit in your mouth and pull back the reins before you rush off and do something less than helpful! 🐴 Getting to know me means understanding that even with all the training and knowledge, sometimes we need someone to guide us and help us make the right decisions. It's all part of the journey of growth and transformation. Have you ever had an experience where you needed someone to guide you and help you see the bigger picture? Share your stories in the comments below! #effectivechurch #churchgrowth #pastors #church #ministrylessons #leadership

Conversation between myself and another pastor: Other pastor: A house church is great but it isn’t church. Me: What do you mean? Pastor: You can’t forsake the gathering. Me: We aren’t. We are gathering in a home. Pastor: That’s fine but you still have to attend the larger gathering. What you’re doing isn’t enough. Me: I didn’t realize there were size requirements. Pastor: I’ll send you some things so you understand. Me: Okay then. In a world that should be full of love and encouragement, we’ve managed to do the opposite. We have learned to stifle real growth with the desire to grow our own churches and brands. Somehow we have shifted our focus from community to crowds. And, as far from Acts chapter 2 as possible. We have to be honest with ourselves about our motives first, because others will see our motives immediately. #church #leadership #pastors

🌟 Let's talk about a transformative principle for church growth: **connecting newcomers.** As a church leader, I know that reaching new hearts is essential to the health and expansion of our church. The impact of consistent invites goes beyond numbers – it's about changing lives and building a strong, devoted community. 🌟 It may feel daunting to step out of your comfort zone, but remember the words of Matthew 28:19-20: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations." Every invite is an opportunity to fulfill this great commission. Let's move people from decisions to discipleship and watch God's Kingdom thrive. 🙌🏽 #ChurchGrowth #ChristianLeadership #DevotedDisciples

Core Values I want to take a brief look at the purpose of having Core Values. Aubrey Malphurs in his book “The Nuts and Bolts of Church Planting” defines a core value as: A church plant’s core values as its constant, passionate, biblical core beliefs that drive its ministry.  These values need to be in the forefront of what you are doing. When a person comes into your fellowship it should not take them long to see or hear what you and a church plant value. Malphurs lists the Jerusalem’s church’s values from Acts 2:41-47 as: Evangelism, Instruction, Fellowship, Worship and Service or Ministry; notices that these are easy to remember and easy to communicate to other. Your key leaders need to take ownership of these values as they are not one person’s values but that of the church, if this doesn’t happen then over time there will be strain and challenges as individuals seek to take a church plant in a different direction. This is also critical for visitors to see as well. Unfortunately, there will be those who start attending a church plant thinking that they can eventually stir it in a different direction by trying to change emphasis of the church plant. By stating the values clearly and often it can help avoid some of these attempts to shift directions. Again you can check out our resource page  (https://lnkd.in/gd-XmFrU) and select the manual for developing a Core Value, Mission and Vision statements.

Do you view your facilities as a vital part of your ministry? If not, you may be missing out on key ministry opportunities for your community. In the course, More Than a Building: Using Facilities and Systems to Support Ministry, explore the unique ways the physical space of your church can support spreading the gospel and discipling your congregation.

#DigitalBite 🎂 #ThroneChair 👑 What's A #ThroneChair, You May Ask? AND I might answer you if it were RIGHT! Let's assume that you are RIGHT AND assume You understand #ThroneChair to be the #HighestMountain You can aspire to climb AND #ThroneChair sits #ATOP 💺 The One who sits #ATOP the #ThroneChair Is The Chosen One Elect Who Has Ascended Beyond All #LeadershipPositions. For example, a #ThroneChair may have been in You position AND knows your Ethical, Moral, Rsesponsiibility to bow His Intelligence, Honor, and Superior Kingship as His Ascended II #HigherLeadership duties, of Facilitating Your Board to be Happy. You Must Comply AND Obey His Command. By Royal Decree of the King of Kings, #KCandHerSunshineBand to follow. #DigitalLeadersSolutions 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 ⏹

Day 9 Impact - #servantleadership When leading by example, we take the time to show those following us how things are done, how values we want them to ascribe to are lived out. It starts at home then to our places of work or businesses or our ministries. Let us as leaders only expect from others that which we are willing and able to do or #model. When Saul hid from Goliath his entire army hid, it took David who was an outsider to their rank and file to change things around hence all those that followed David also slaughtered giants later on. 1 Peter 5:1-3 TPT Now, I encourage you as an elder, an eyewitness of the sufferings of Christ, and one who shares in the glory that is about to be unveiled. I urge my fellow elders among you to be compassionate shepherds who tenderly care for God’s flock and who feed them well, for you have the responsibility to guide, protect, and oversee. Consider it a joyous pleasure and not merely a religious duty. Lead from the heart under God’s leadership—not as a way to gain finances dishonestly but as a way to eagerly and cheerfully serve. Don’t be controlling tyrants but lead others by your beautiful examples to the flock. #CoachMulalo

📍 Mapping Out an Irresistible Church Experience for the Unchurched 📍 As church leaders, our goal is to make every service an engaging experience that resonates with both believers and the unchurched. I've developed a strategic map designed to make your weekly "Main Event" irresistible to those outside the church. This map provides practical steps to enhance your church services, making them more welcoming, engaging, and impactful. If you're interested in making your church the place to be every week, this map is a must-have resource. Let's connect and discuss how you can implement these strategies to grow your church and reach more people in your community! #effectivechurch #churchgrowth #pastors #church #churchleadership #communityengagement #churchoutreach