What Are the (new) Signs of a Healthy Church?
No one sets out to have or lead an unhealthy church or ministry. But we often find ourselves stuck in a loop of numbers and metrics we’ve inherited, or were imposed on us by the “higher-ups”. It would be great to have new signs of a healthy church.
The 3 Bs
For a long time now, churches have often or only measured three things I call the “3Bs”: Butts (attendance on Sunday); Building size; and Budgets. Are these the signs of a healthy church? Hmmm… I wonder how Jesus’ ministry career would measure up to these three benchmarks?
Preparing Your Community for Healthy Growth and Change
Has your missional community started to feel more like a small group that meets than a family that grows and multiplies? Even strong communities can get stuck in comfortable rhythms if leaders aren’t intentional about growth and sending.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I’ll help you rethink how to prepare your community for healthy growth and change. Multiplication isn’t a threat to relationships—it’s proof that God’s Spirit is at work. We’ll talk about how to plan for it, communicate it well, and walk your people through the transition with grace and confidence.
Healthy things always grow. That means your group will change, and that’s a good thing. I’ll show you how to lead with both vision and empathy so your community can stay focused on the mission—without losing heart.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
- How to normalize the idea of growth and multiplication early in your community’s life.
- Ways to prepare your people emotionally and practically for sending and change.
- How to talk about grief and loss in a way that strengthens relationships.
- Why keeping things small, simple, and reproducible helps leaders develop new communities.
Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.
Please check out this new episode and be sure to get this week’s FREE Download of the Big 3.
How to Pray for Your Child’s Future Spouse
To consistently pray for your kids seems obvious. To pray for your child’s future spouse may be less obvious, but is a privilege that carries with it some pretty awesome blessings.
Tina and I have prayed for our son and two daughters’ potential spouses since they were little, little kids. Now Caesar and Christin, our two oldest, are happily married to amazing people. In both cases we felt God’s favor on that person and their budding relationships right away. (Click Here to download my Parent’s Prayer Guide and get started.)
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Why Aren’t Christians Happier?
Many Christians believe that knowing Jesus should naturally make us happy… yet, if we’re honest, a lot of us don’t always feel that way. Why aren’t Christians happier people?
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we talk with author and pastor David McDonald about how happiness isn’t something we arrive at—it’s something we practice. We explore why happiness is more than a feeling—it’s a reflection of the gospel at work in us. True happiness is possible, no matter your past or personality, when grace begins shaping who you’re becoming.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
- What true happiness is and how the Bible defines it.
- Why Christians often struggle to live joyfully.
- Why Jesus was likely the happiest person who ever lived.
- Simple, gospel-centered steps to start experiencing more joy today.
Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.
Please check out this new episode and be sure to get this week’s FREE Download of the Big 3.
Jumpstarting, Restarting or Resurrecting Your Missional Community
Authentic faith lived in a vibrant missional community can be a hard thing to find, create and maintain. There comes a time for all of us when we may need to look at jumpstarting or re-starting some of the basics.
Whether it’s the busyness of holidays, the start of a new year, or things have just sort of fizzled out, there a few simple yet intentional rhythms you can dive into that can make all the difference and will get you and your missional community back on track. (more…)
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ABOUT ME
I am the author of the top selling book, The Gospel Primer. My latest books, Transformed and Small is Big, Slow is Fast came out recently on Zondervan.
I help those with a high commitment to intentional living in the areas of their discipleship, family and mission acquire the leadership skills and tools necessary to succeed and leave a lasting legacy.