Lisa Ryals

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR EQUIPPING YOUR SMALL GROUP LEADERS https://hubs.ly/Q02RctYs0

Be Courageous by Jasmine Renee the meaning behind these shirts and scripture references ❤️ To be courageous, confident, and worthy while liking who you are, one can draw inspiration from several Bible verses that emphasize God's support, love, and the inherent worth of each person: 1. Courageous: Joshua 1:9 (NIV) - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." 2. Confident: Philippians 4:13 (NIV) - "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." This verse reminds us that our confidence comes from knowing that God empowers us. 3. Worthy: Psalm 139:14 (NIV) - "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." This speaks to the inherent worth and value God places on each person. 4. Liking Who You Are: Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) - "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." This verse highlights that each person is a unique creation of God with a purpose. By embracing these truths, one can develop courage, confidence, and a sense of worth, leading to a healthier and more positive self-image. https://lnkd.in/eH_TzjBx It’s the message of the shirt 💓

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🚀 Transform Your Leadership with the Ministry Chick Authentic Leadership Coaching Group! 🌟 Feeling stuck in your leadership journey? You're not alone! This specialized coaching group, designed with you in mind as a woman in leadership, is here to help you break through barriers and lead with confidence and authenticity. 💬 This is the last time we'll be offering this specific coaching group on these topics, so don't miss out! Comment "INTERESTED" below or message me to learn more. Let's grow together! 💪✨ #MinistryChick #WomenInLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #MinistryCoaching #WomenInMinistry #FemaleLeaders #FemalePastors #MinistryLeaders #WomenInMinistryLeadership #PastorsWives #WomenWhoLead

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My name is Micheal Felker, and I specialize in pastoral coaching and church consulting, focusing on the personal and professional health and well-being of pastors and church leaders. My mission is to help leaders like you break free from any current obstacles you are facing and to move forward with clear purpose and renewed passion. We all know that feeling of being stuck. Maybe the vision is clear, but the path to get there is blocked with challenges and uncertainties. Sometimes, an outside perspective is all it takes to break through those barriers and realign your efforts with your mission. This is where I want to help you and your church move forward. Here's what partnering with an experienced coach and consultant will do for you and your church: • Fresh Perspective: An outside point of view will help identify opportunities for growth and provide space to explore how to address any challenges you face. • Clear and Achievable Goals: Together we'll develop S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals that are tailored to your church's unique context and needs. • Leader Well-being: A healthy church starts with healthy leaders. A focus on the overall health and well-being of your pastors and leadership team ensures that they are equipped to lead effectively for years to come. • Mission Alignment: Aligning your goals with your church's vision, mission, and common purpose will create a cohesive strategy that propels your congregation forward. • Sustainable Growth: With the right strategies and support, you will foster growth that's deeply spiritual and sustainable. I would love the opportunity to discuss how my coaching and consulting services will specifically benefit your leadership and your church. I offer a complimentary, introductory meeting where we can explore your current challenges, envision the future, and outline the first steps toward achieving your goals. When would be a good time for us to connect?

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LSMs and CLMs, if you have completed IFD168 Becoming Accountable Disciples, you are eligible to register for the sequel: Class Leaders: Recovering a Tradition, which will begin Monday, September 23, 2024 with registration open until 6 a.m. that day. The course is IFD258 Class Leaders: Recovering a Tradition is approved and highly recommended for LSMs and CLMs (read more in the graphic below). Previous Learners said this: “I appreciated the encouraging, edifying comments. It was good to see how much we had in common and at the same time, how diverse the ministries were.” “I appreciated Pastor Nan’s comments and delivery of course information. The course materials were helpful and I have saved them all.” Registration closes at 6 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) Monday, September 23, 2024. P.S. If you need the prerequisite, Becoming Accountable Disciples, it will open September 9, 2024, registration is open until 6 a.m. that day. See you soon in one or both of these courses that are beneficial for your ministry. BeADisciple.com

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Luke 16:10 NIV [10] “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. https://lnkd.in/giBSAJi2

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A "Friendly" Church or a Church of Friends? Leading church consultants advocate that for churches to grow, being “friendly” is mandatory. Even beyond modern facilities, engaging programs, and deep community thumbprints, if a church is cold and unwelcoming, it will struggle to even maintain its membership, and growth is out of the picture. This profound discovery certainly doesn’t qualify as rocket science. Churches are in the “People Business,” and if churches aren’t good with people, their “business” will crater. But churches can distort the portrait of a “friendly” church. To be a “friendly” church, it requires more than being outgoing or bubbly. In fact, being friendly really isn’t that rare. You know who else is friendly? -        A Chick-Fil-A Worker -        A Salesman (When he thinks you’re going to buy…. anything) -        A Wal-Mart Greeter (Most of the time) -        A School Crossing Guard -        My Neighbor’s Dog Oh, they’re all very friendly—warm, gregarious, thoughtful—the whole nine yards, but unsurprisingly, I don’t have any plans to make Chick-Fil-A, a retail store, Wal-Mart, school zones, or my neighbor’s backyard, my spiritual community. I doubt that you do either. There must be more to a friendly church than smiley extroverts. I recently heard a very wise minister and a great friend offer this insightful wisdom— “PEOPLE AREN'T LOOKING FOR A FRIENDLY CHURCH. PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR A FRIEND." “Friendly” requires a smile or a handshake. “Friend” demands commitment and loyalty. “Friendly” can be taught. “Friend” can only be learned. And a friend is what people want. Even more so, a friend is what people need. We’ve likely attended or visited churches that diagnosed themselves as “friendly” when no one spoke to us. They may not have even noticed us. Before we lay down the judgment gauntlet, it’s healthy to confess that if we’ve been in a church or Bible class for decades, it’s easy to focus on our habitual spheres of influence. We can all improve in this area. But even if we speak to every person and shake every hand, that’s not enough. People don’t want a “friendly” church, they want a friend. They want someone who is willing to say with their words, and prove with their actions, “I care.”   “I’m here.”   “I’m not going anywhere.”   “And whatever challenges come, whatever baggage you bring, we will walk through the mess together, step by step.” Who can you be a friend to this Sunday? And next Sunday? And every Sunday? Churches that focus more on being friends than being friendly will grow faster than they can ever imagine. After all, it was once said of Jesus Christ, the head of the church, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24, NIV). Is your church “friendly” or full of friends? Jacob Hawk, Ph.D.

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Selecting a Pastor Search Team (PST) Selecting a PST is a crucial task for any Baptist church following the termination, resignation, or retirement of a pastor. While such transitions are inevitable, they should ideally be infrequent. Regularly assembling a PST may indicate underlying health issues within the church. This process should adhere to the church's governing documents. Here, I offer suggestions for selecting a PST, with a focus on strengthening the church’s biblical foundation and unity during this pivotal time. The pastor search process provides a valuable opportunity to engage the congregation and reinforce three foundational Baptist beliefs. First, the teaching of the Priesthood of Believers emphasizes that every believer has direct access to God through the finished work of Jesus Christ, without the need for a human intermediary (1 Peter 2:9). This underscores the importance of each member's input in the search process. Second, the biblical qualifications for a pastor, outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, should be mirrored in the members of the search team. Attributes such as being “above reproach, self-controlled, hospitable,” and “having a good reputation” are essential for those on the team. Third, we must remember the sovereignty of God in guiding His church. The ideal members for the PST are those who exemplify the Fruit of the Spirit, maintain confidentiality, and have a deep understanding of Christian doctrine; the pastor search team is usually not a place for a new Christian. These individuals should represent the diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds within the church, ensuring the search reflects the true nature of the congregation. Including a variety of ages, backgrounds, and perspectives can provide a well-rounded view of the church to potential candidates. While it is customary to receive nominations from the congregation, church leadership should have a thorough vetting process to assemble a representative and effective team. Practical considerations should also be addressed before forming the search team. The team should not be too large; groups of five to nine members are common, with two alternates. The chairperson should be comfortable addressing the congregation. It is essential to include members who understand the church’s history, culture, practices, and ministries. Having someone with human resources or business experience can be advantageous. Utilizing an outside consultant from the Association or State Convention to train and guide the committee often leads to a more effective search process. Many team members may lack experience in searching for a new pastor, making the guidance of a trusted consultant invaluable. A consultant often helps the pastor search team deal with challenging situations which arise during a search.

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