Build a Bridge Between God’s Word and Issues of Our Day
The challenge of preaching is to declare eternal truth — what doesn’t change — in a culture that’s always changing.
The message never changes. It’s the “faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints”. (Jude v.3 NIV)
But the methods have to change with every generation. Otherwise, you’re not being faithful to …
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Never Start a Ministry Without a Minister
Saddleback didn’t have an organized youth ministry until we had 500 in attendance. We didn’t have a singles ministry until we had 1,000 people in attendance.
And I’m glad we didn’t.
It’s not because those ministries aren’t important. They’re vital! But God hadn’t provided anyone to lead them. Never create a ministry …
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4 Simple Rules About Where Your Church Meets
If you’ve ever heard the story of Saddleback, you know we moved from one location to another for twelve years before moving onto our campus in 1992. We met in 67 locations in our first 15 years of existence — and broke every church-planting rule that says you must have a consistent meeting location! We grew to more than 10,000 in …
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High-Pressure Invitations Are Counter-Productive
Preaching to people who aren’t accustomed to church isn’t like preaching to a well-churched community. Too many preachers say they want to reach people who are far from God, but they don’t adjust their preaching style to impact the spiritually lost.
One change in your preaching style to consider is how you ask for a commitment. I …
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Saddleback Church: What’s Happening for the Next 10 Weeks Up to Easter
We’re showing you this letter from Rick to the Saddleback Staff for a couple of reasons.
First, it is reflective of the way Rick communicates to the staff.
He says things in a positive way and conveys his own sense of excitement about the things that are happening at the church.
He gives tangible examples that show success, and …
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5 Questions Every Prospective Member Wants Answered
It’s important to encourage attenders to join your church — because they’ll never grow spiritually without a commitment to live out what the Bible teaches while in a relationship with others.
As you encourage church membership, it’s important to keep in mind these five unspoken needs prospective members are looking for your …
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4 Types of People Every Pastor Needs in His Life
Ministry isn’t meant to be a solo endeavor. Unfortunately, for many pastors, it is. A 2011 LifeWay Research survey said half of pastors in the United States experience loneliness in ministry.
Lonely ministry contradicts how God wired the universe. We need each other. You’ll find the phrase “one another” 58 times in the New …
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3 Reasons I Preach in a Series
I rarely preach one-and-done sermons—very rarely. Come to any service at Saddleback and you’ll catch us either at the beginning, middle or end of a series. Why do I do this?
It builds momentum. Momentum matters in ministry. It’s what keeps your church going in the same positive direction. It isn’t easy moving people in a …
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We Want to Mentor You and Your Staff, So You Can Mentor Others
What God has done through Saddleback over the past 30 years hasn’t happened because I’m smart. It’s because I’ve had great mentors and advisors.
We’re planning some special conferences created not only to mentor you and your staff, but also to teach you how to mentor other pastors and their staffs.
Help us by taking this …
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5 Ways to Prepare For 2013
Before doing anything else, would you do me this favor and take this short one-page survey.
I love pastors. I always have. My father, grandfather and great-grandfather were Baptist pastors. My father-in-law, brother-in-law and son-in-law are or were all pastors. I spent part of my childhood on a seminary campus and was constantly …
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After Tragedy, Help Your Congregation Ask, “What Can We Do Now?”
We live in a fallen world, and God’s will is not always done on earth.
Still, when we’re faced with such an immense tragedy as the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, we are tempted to ask, “Why?”
But such questions are unanswerable – we simply don’t know.
Instead of asking, “Why?” we need to help our people ask, …
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4 Free Resources for Ministering In Times of Tragedy
Our hearts are all broken for the families who lost children and loved ones this past Friday in Newtown, Connecticut. We pray for them as well as for emergency workers, teachers, and counselors who have been involved in helping the community in the aftermath.
Pastors fulfill a special calling in moments of tragedy. We carry the burden …
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Let Your Church Be All About the One Stray Sheep This Christmas
As you know, people will show up at your church for Christmas that won’t show up any other time during the year. Here are three ways to help them see the importance of Christmas -
Remind them that they need a rescuer. Sheep who are lost can't save themselves. If a sheep’s rescue is completely dependent upon itself, he’s a lost …
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January is the Perfect Time to Add More Small Groups
January is the perfect time to add more small groups. Tell your members small groups are important because --
1. Small groups move us out of self-centered isolation. It’s the classroom for learning how to get along in God’s family. It’s a lab for practicing unselfish, sympathetic love. You learn to care about others and share the …
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