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40 DAYS IN THE WORD

 

40 Days in the Word is a church wide weekly study of six principles of the Word of God. Together with Rick Warren, the Saddleback Team and great pastors from across the country you and FBC Brandon will explore the authenticity, reliability, power, comfort, interpretation and doing of God's Word. This journey will encourage spiritual growth in every member of our church. 

Begins in Worship on Sunday, January 29 and lifeGROUPS on Sunday, February 5, 2012!!

Adult leaders can check here for up to date details and schedule.  

Five Warning Signs of Declining Church Health

Must read post from Thom Rainer  

What were some of the warning signs my team saw? Though the list is not exhaustive, these five issues were common. Some of the churches had one or two on the list; some had all five. 

1. The church has few outwardly focused ministries.  Read more 

 

The NINES Preview! from Todd Rhoades on Vimeo.

Adult lifeGROUPS ...

are our primary structure for discipleship and care. We believe lifegroups provide the ideal environment for real life change to occur as we stimulate one another to KNOW, GROW and GO.  Currently we are looking for lifegroup leaders for new and existing lifegroups beginning in the Fall (August 2011). Characteristics of a leader are as follows:

• Listen more than you speak.
• Engage in ongoing care and development.
• Actively reach out to those beyond your group.
• Develop a healthy and balanced group.
• Encourage every member to share a group role.
• Remember God’s calling in your life.
• Surrender all that you are to God.
• Humbly lead your group with authenticity. 
• Invest your time in potential Leaders.
• Pray consistently for your group.

If interested in more information and/or applying contact Mike May at 601-825-9003 or mdmay@fbcbrandon.com

Know the mission of lifegroups

We remain committed to seeing the five Biblical purposes (worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism) deepened in the church, lifeGROUPS and each individual life.

Mission - What We Do

To help spiritual seekers become transformed believers who model Disciple Life Purposes and motivate others to do the same.

 

Know the vision of lifegroups

We remain committed to seeing the five Biblical purposes (worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism) deepened in the church, lifeGROUPS and each individual life.

VISION -- Why We Are Here To see every person, from the core of our church to the ever-growing community, connected in a healthy lifeGROUP.

“You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.” James 3:18 (MSG)

 

The Church in 2020 – Sam Rainer III

A new year inevitably brings forecasts of what’s to come in the next 365 days. A new decade invites even more prognostications. Next year the 2010 census will emphasize demographic shifts. When compared to other items often measured by statistics—like equity markets or energy prices—demographic changes occur slowly. But the census will spotlight changes that have been occurring gradually for years. These shifts will affect how the church does ministry. A new year inevitably brings forecasts of what’s to come in the next 365 days. A new decade invites even more prognostications. Next year the 2010 census will emphasize demographic shifts. When compared to other items often measured by statistics—like equity markets or energy prices—demographic changes occur slowly. But the census will spotlight changes that have been occurring gradually for years. These shifts will affect how the church does ministry.

Allow me to risk being doubly wrong — sharing with you not only 10 church trends for the next 10 years, but ones that may be unexpected to some. I believe these trends are critical for leaders to know as they lead their churches to advance God’s kingdom in the coming decade.

click here to continue  

 

If You Wait ...

“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.”
Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NLT)

If you want for perfect conditions or you wait for a perfect person in order to get married, you’ll never make it happen.  

If you wait for a perfect time to have kids, you’ll never have kids.  If you look for the perfect job, you’ll never find it…

What I want you to know is your group will never be at the right moment that you feel you need to execute something.  If you wait for the perfect conditions, it’ll never happen because of the enemy. 

What happens is when you think you’ve got it perfect, you’re not relying on God.  You’re relying on you. 

What God wants you to do is He wants you to rely on Him not on you.  You want to do your best shot, but you don’t want to have to wait so you’re so dependent that you don’t need God.

 

Defining Leadership Scripture

Since a dull ax requires great strength, sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.” Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NLT)

Circle the phrase “sharpen the blade.”  When you are in leadership you always have to be sharpening the tools that you have, because when you don’t sharpen the tools, you’ll work harder not smarter.  

 

Tip for Leaders

When you ask a question, be patient. Someone will eventually respond. Sometimes people need a moment or two of silence to think about the question. If silence doesn't bother you, it won't bother anyone else. After someone responds, affirm the response with a simple "thanks" or "great answer." Then ask, "How about somebody else?" or "Would someone who hasn't shared like to add anything?" Be sensitive to new people or reluctant members who aren't ready to say, pray, or do anything. If you give them a safe setting, they will blossom over time.