Neal Pollard Pick out a local church leader and pray for him and his family for several minutes, being very specific in your petitions on their behalf. Email a missionary to encourage them and get an update on how their work is going. Buy a gift card and try to give it anonymously to a … Continue reading Make It A Momentous Monday
Tag: edification
I-N-V-O-L-V-E-M-E-N-T Equals Church Growth
Neal Pollard The early church grew (Acts 2:41; 5:14; 6:1,7; 9:31; 11:24). As we read of this growth explosion, we see the key role member involvement played. Christians were spreading the word (8:4), involved in each other's lives and in the lives of the lost around them. This is such a simple concept, but churches … Continue reading I-N-V-O-L-V-E-M-E-N-T Equals Church Growth
Encourage!
Neal Pollard Steven Covey has said, “Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be and he will become as he can and should be.” There is great wisdom and truth in that. Encouragement requires unselfishness and thoughtfulness. It requires our looking … Continue reading Encourage!
Sharing Trade Secrets Or Sharing The Wealth?
Neal Pollard Last month, Von Miller gathered some of the NFL’s elite sack specialists at Stanford University for what he called a "pass rush summit.” The participates were star defensive players from around the league, with several different teams represented. Addressing concerns that each man was sharing his trade secrets, Miller replied that it was … Continue reading Sharing Trade Secrets Or Sharing The Wealth?
The Dilemma Of Discipleship: Doctrine Or Duty
Neal Pollard Obviously, that's not the dilemma. It is not either/or. It is both/and. But, as the church, we can find ourselves weighted one direction or the other. Some years ago, a close relative of mine was explaining why he had left a congregation that heavily emphasized doctrinal truth but were totally invisible to their … Continue reading The Dilemma Of Discipleship: Doctrine Or Duty
Tychicus: Trustworthy Transporter
Neal Pollard Have you ever paid close attention to the ends of especially the epistles? There are a variety of otherwise obscure Bible characters who make their cameos as if in passing. Tychicus is one such early Christian. You find him referenced five times in Holy Writ. He is numbered among the missionaries in Asia … Continue reading Tychicus: Trustworthy Transporter
What’s So “Social” About It?
Neal Pollard "Social" is an interesting word. It can be a noun, as in "church social," referring to a gathering of people to socialize. Usually, it is an adjective--"social studies," "social club," "social butterfly," or "social grace." "Social" modifies another word to form a phrase normally found only in the restraints of religious discussion. The … Continue reading What’s So “Social” About It?
CHURCH GROWTH STARTERS
Neal Pollard Offer “medical missions” benevolent campaign in the neighborhood, utilizing the talents of members with medical expertise. Have a worship leadership training class. Incorporate periodic explanations about the purpose and biblical foundation for the acts of worship and the invitation during the worship services. Have an elder/deacon intensive training class. Host community Bible studies … Continue reading CHURCH GROWTH STARTERS
No Fans?
Neal Pollard Baltimore was the host of history yesterday. Never, in nearly 150 years of professional baseball in America, has a regular season baseball game between two Major League teams been closed to the public. I estimated the crowd inside Camden Yard to have been exactly zero fans in the stands, breaking Baltimore’s old record-low … Continue reading No Fans?
“As We Go Our Separate Ways…”
Neal Pollard I've heard this prayed my whole life: "Be with us as we go our separate ways." I fully appreciate what is meant, but I lament a trend I've seen for many years. Too often, we go our separate ways until the "next appointed time." We have no contact with one another. Instead, the … Continue reading “As We Go Our Separate Ways…”
