Author Archive for Beth Hadley

Engaging Youth in Outreach: Empowering the Next Generation

by Kathrine Pimentel   Whatever you do, don’t say the word “evangelism.” That’s what a small group of Christian high schoolers told me while discussing the topic of sharing the Gospel. In a world where everything has become offensive, you can add the word “evangelism” to the list. In the moment, it would have been […]

Understanding Your Community: Conducting a Needs Assessment

by Delores Orcutt,  MSN-PHN, RN, FCN   Conducting a needs assessment may be an unusual topic to read about in a church publication. It is typically reserved for secular organizations like business or public health. However, a church community is an ideal place for this effort. This article will explain the what, why, and how […]

Inspiring Your Congregation to Serve

by George and Dana Welty   In twenty-five years of working with youth groups, we often told teens at the end of a mission trip, “We do mission trips to teach you that you don’t need a mission trip to do these kinds of things.” With those trips, we intentionally created space for spiritual gifts […]

Elders and Self Care: The Importance of Sabbaticals for Elders

by David Eller   Most of us raised in our culture that places such a high value on productivity view the idea of taking a sabbatical as counter intuitive. We accept the concept for professors and pastors, but not elders. A sabbatical is purposefully setting aside our responsibility for a period of time. Is that […]

Creating a Mentorship Program for Emerging Elders

by Scott Laird   “We want/need more elders,” is a consistent message shared by leaders in Churches of Christ. Forty-three years of supported ministry in churches in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Montana have led me to conclude that existing leadership must develop new leaders and elders from within the people the Lord has already given His […]

Often Overlooked Values of High-Functioning Elder Teams

by Jason Thompson   The model for plural church leadership finds its origin in our holy, triune God, who exists in perfect relationship. From the beginning, He has invited us into that divine relationship—calling us to serve and lead within the context of the local church. Throughout scripture and history, God has consistently worked through […]

6 Best Practices for Shepherding People in the Congregation

by Jim Martin   So what does shepherding look like practically?  The following are some best practices for shepherding people in the congregation: 1. Listen well and give others your presence.  Good shepherds learn to listen well. This means paying attention to the content, feelings, and body language of others. Those who listen well are […]

Facilitating Mediation: Understanding The Peacemaking Possibility

by Jon Mullican Most people work hard to avoid conflictual situations. Conflict creates discomfort. Conflict means to most that someone wins, and someone loses; to avoid losing or losing relationships, we sidestep the issue, the conversation, and the confrontation. Churchgoers follow this pattern well. Who wants to fight at church? Who wants to get into […]

Some Keys to Developing a Discipleship Culture

by Scott Laird I heard the phrase “cut flower culture” years ago and its image still resonates. Cut flowers are beautiful, they smell good, provide color to our homes, and sometimes get a husband out of trouble. The problem is cut flowers are separated off from their roots and life itself. Many of the roots […]

One Life Shapes Another

by Lynn Anderson Ted moves like an athlete and looks like one too. He is usually confident and assertive. But today, sitting in front of the counselor he seems different. Ted is a new Christian and the father of sons four and seven and he has hit a wall. “I don’t really know what a […]

X