The Pre-Requisite of Starting a School
When we set up the Engage Church Network, we had a plan we thought would work. We wanted to work with churches and pastors. I wanted to coach pastors and help churches discover their God given visions on how God had called them to minister to and evangelize their specific communities. We immediately ran into […]
When Seminary Prepares the Mind—but Ministry Tests the Heart: Why the Engage Church Network School of Ministry Matters
Seminaries equip us with theology, exegesis, and biblical languages. All of this is important in building a foundation for someone entrusted in feeding the flock of God as a shepherd. But the role of a shepherd also includes leading and protecting the flock. Leading a congregation is terrain that tests vision, team dynamics, emotional resilience, […]
Between the Steeple and the Stock Ticker
When I accepted the call to serve as a bivocational pastor at College Grove Baptist Church two years ago this month, I didn’t realize just how literal the “bi” in “bivocational” would feel. Most days, I’m toggling between a spreadsheet and a sermon, between training teams in corporate strategy and shepherding souls in a local […]
Keeping a Journal
Growing up Southern Baptist, I was expected to attend Sunday morning and evening worship services, Sunday School, Church Training and of course, Wednesday night fellowship dinner and prayer meeting. I was also encouraged to have a “daily quiet time” that was expected to last about ten minutes. The plan was to read a passage of […]
Training for the Church That Actually Exists
Written by Matt Pearson If you live in Middle Tennessee long enough you will learn who the “unicorns” are. The unicorns are those who are actually from Middle Tennessee. We call them unicorns because they are so rare. The vast majority, so it seems, are from all over the United States. Individuals and families from throughout the […]
I Stand by the Door – the case for evangelistic commitment
Written by Samuel Shoemaker Here is a piece from Sam Shoemaker that I run across from time to time. Want to share it with you. Sam Shoemaker(1893-1963) was an Episcopal priest who was instrumental in the Oxford Group and founding principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. He was the rector of the Calvary Church in New York […]
Drop the Mic! – Discover the Heart of God
Dr. Tim Harlow Retired Senior Pastor, Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park, IL Author of Life on Mission: God’s People Finding God’s Heart for the World and What Made Jesus Mad? Rediscover the Blunt, Sarcastic, Passionate Savior of the Bible “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew […]
The Whole Gospel for the Whole Person
When I started in the ministry, evangelism was the only thing that mattered to most local Baptist churches. Every sermon, regardless of where it started, ended up getting back to John 3:16 and every service ended with an extended invitation. We were trained in how to use the “The Four Spiritual Laws” and if we […]
Fixing Problems: The Work of Healing Is the Work of the Church
The social issues facing our communities are complex and difficult. Countless government and non-profit efforts have failed to provide any kind of lasting remedy. Millions and millions of dollars have been spent to deal with issues such as drug addiction, homelessness, domestic violence, and mental health. None of these efforts have made much of a […]
Getting Started: Loving our Communities
Whenever I talk to churches about becoming engaged in their communities, a few common objections keep coming up. There are all kinds of reasons – or excuses – given as to why a congregation stays away from getting involved in the real problems of their neighborhoods. These problems are hard to solve, difficult to understand, […]
