Settle down folks, this is not a politically based column! Actually, this is a column reminding you about our pastor and wife retreat called IGNITE which is held each fall. (Yes, we even met in 2020 in Cody, WY!). Ignite provides a more relaxed atmosphere in which to learn from some great preachers, teachers, and skilled professionals. Last year we had Ken…
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Last month my article included some thoughts about stewardship and personal financial management. I believe it is important to understand biblical principles regarding money management and for everyone to have a financial plan, but can one go overboard with money management and become obsessed with planning? I recently came across an article that suggests “excellence” is…
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We are called by the Bible to be generous stewards of everything entrusted to us by God. Understanding biblical principles of stewardship and generosity is crucial to our ability to answer that call well. Managing our own money with a personal financial plan is a tool that can help us be good stewards, but it must be…
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Missions Partnerships are one of the best vehicles a church can use to engage fully in missions. A healthy partnership will contain five elements, and the final element is Partner Care. Ironically, this is probably one of the most important of the five elements, but by nature, it is usually the last one we engage…
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Monday, May 29th – Friday, June 2nd was the most recent biennial General Council for The Alliance! Held in Spokane, WA, it was great to see so many of our district pastors, wives, and laypeople present! Below is a brief report regarding that gathering that included some good services, the state of The Alliance via…
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Ever since I was a little boy, I have loved music! Originally it was the hymns we’d sing every Sunday morning, evening, and Wednesday night at church — from the old red Alliance hymnal copyrighted I believe in 1962. From there I learned about a whole new kind of music to my ear — usually…
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Given my role to work with churches in regard to church planting, I spend a lot of time talking to church planters and people who work with and coach church planters. I also spend a fair amount of time reading material devoted to this topic. Over the years I have found a few prominent themes…
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This time of year, most churches have held their annual meetings and newly elected officers have started to settle into their new positions. For new treasurers, it can be an overwhelming experience. Each year about this time I would like to offer a few resources to new treasurers which I believe to be helpful in getting off…
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Over the last couple of years, we have dedicated significant amounts of time, energy, and finances to come alongside RMD churches in the area of student and kids ministries. This month I want to give an update on one such ministry and announce a new initiative. Update: Youth Leader Weekend Resources Last month youth workers from…
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The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) provides accreditation to Christian nonprofit organizations that demonstrate compliance with established standards for financial accountability, fundraising, and board governance. Members include Christian ministries, denominations, churches, educational institutions, and other tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations. The Alliance has been a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) since 1988 and…
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