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Introduction to the 3DM Learning Circle

This week is an introduction to the 3DM Learning Circle, a tool to process life’s kairos moments – simply put, moments that make you sad, mad, or glad. Our speaker, Roger Bird, is from The Bridge in Allegan, a church that began 9 years ago. Their main goal was to be a missional church, but found that they were burning …

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Discipleship

Mark 3:13-18: “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), …

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Luminex Podcast 11: Pastoring a Church in its Final Days

Last week on the podcast Randy Weener talked about small churches and how some of them are at the end of their life cycle. This week Doug interviews Jason Vermeulen about his experience pastoring Casnovia Reformed Church during its final days and the time leading up to the end. [00:00:20] Introduction to Casnovia Reformed Church Casnovia Reformed Church is located …

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Where Leadership Begins

Are you a new leader wondering where to start your leadership journey?  On today’s Whiteboard Wednesday, Curry Pikaart, Classis Leader for the Southwest Michigan Classis, tells us about where leadership begins based on his experiences in college and the story of Nehemiah. Doctor Kenneth Weller became the president of Central College in Pella, Iowa, when Pikkaart was a student there. …

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Standing Firm in the Gospel

The Gospel must be central to all that we do, say, and think.  The truth of the Gospel – God’s unfathomable love (John 3:16, Romans 5:8), our inherent sin (Romans 3:23, 5:12), salvation by and through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23, John 1:12) – is the Good News that we are called to live out and carry to the very ends …

Luminex Podcast 8: To Catch the Wind, Hoist Your Sail

Show Notes On this week’s podcast episode, Doug is interviewing Curry Pikkaart, Classis Leader for the Southwest Michigan Classis. The topic of their conversation is based on Curry’s blog post, To Catch the Wind, Hoist Your Sails, about how to persevere through trying and empty  times while waiting for the Holy Spirit’s wind in our sails. [0:00:25] The Story Behind …

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Listening Leaders

Imagine how a football team would do if the offensive coordinator never listened to the head coach. Or, how would a baseball team fare if no one paid attention to the third base coach’s signals? Disorganized, disgusted, frustrated – and losing! Now imagine a church, or any level of church structure, in which the leaders are not listening to the …

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Nine Strategic Planning Landmines, Part 2

Hopefully by avoiding these landmines, your strategic planning experience will be a blessing to your leaders and church as a whole. Last week on Whiteboard Wednesday, we talked about the first five of Nine Strategic Planning Landmines – lack of prayer, lack of faith, failure to add wisdom to faith, overlooking the reality of spiritual warfare, and failure to celebrate. …

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Teachability as a Leadership Virtue

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!”  2 Peter 3:18 Next month, my dad will celebrate his 99th birthday.  He is one of my heroes—for many reasons—not the least of which is that my dad is a life-long learner.  My dad is still reading.  Dad …

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Nine Strategic Planning Landmines, Part 1

When you are in a season of planning in your church or ministry, there are some things you should avoid at all costs. On this week’s Whiteboard Wednesday, Mike Gafa, church leadership development catalyst for Luminex, talks about the first five of nine landmines when it comes to strategic planning. 1. Lack of Prayer Prayer is essential; without prayer, nothing …