A Prayer as We Begin the New Year . . .

This prayer, common in many churches within the liturgical tradition of Christianity, can be used year-round. It is especially appropriate as we begin a new year in the service of our Savior. May he grant you a blessed New Year! Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the [...]

How Our Church ‘Left the Building’

If you’d like to see a swarm of church members serving the community on a Sunday morning, read about our experience with “The Church has Left the Building” (scroll down to this blog). Here’s what our first foray taught us: Pastors and key leaders must all be supportive, since Sunday morning is the prime time to [...]

The Church Has Left the Building!

Imagine your sanctuary or worship space as it looks when people are gathered on a typical Sunday. Now picture all those people leaving the building. But this time they’re not going home or out for brunch. Instead, they’re heading out to serve in the community. That’s the idea behind “The Church has Left the Building.” [...]

Making Mission Trips Meaningful

Where are you going this summer?  In years past, people would have answered the Grand Canyon or Door County, Disney World or the Badlands, Grandpa’s farm or my aunt’s condo in Florida. Lots of people do still enjoy spending time relaxing in those places. But many Christians today are just as likely to spend part [...]

The Star of Christmas—a free children’s devotion for Epiphany

Use this devotion as you continue to celebrate the coming of the Christ Child this week. It will help you introduce the Magi who came to worship our King, the true Star of Christmas—Jesus! (Many churches celebrate January 6 as “Epiphany” or “the Gentile’s Christmas.” Consider distributing some of the Follow the Star items available [...]

Sharing the Salvation Story—A free devotion for children

Getting Started This devotion suggests that you read several Bible passages. Find and mark these passages ahead of time: Romans 3:23; James 2:10; Romans 5:8; 1 John 2:12; 1 Corinthians 12:3; John 14:27; Psalm 1:3; 2 Peter 3:18; Matthew 5:14, 16; 1 John 4:16. Introduction Do you know what it means to share the salvation [...]