Articles: Leadership Development

Adult Resource Consultant, Tom Bougher, discusses 10 questions to ask about your small group ministry.

Assistant General Superintendent Alton Garrison begins discussing effective communication from chapter five of his book The 360 Degree Disciple.

Alton Garrison wraps up his discussion on leadership as he finishes going through chapter 4 of the 360 Degree Disciple.

An archive of a webinar event with Dan Stanley that occured on December 4, 2010. This is the third webinar in a series discussing the Acts 2 process and how it incoporates into Sunday School and Small Groups.

Alton Garrison continues through chapter 4 as he talks about the importance of teamwork.

Do you know what kind of learner you are? What enviroment do you work best in? Would you rather have things said to you or do you like to have things written down? Do you need to do things in order to understand them? Use this self-assessment to learn your modality strengths and how you learn best.

Alton Garrison continues the discussion on leadership by talking about doing the right thing.

View the archive of Tom Bougher's webinar, Connect More!

Having great classes doesn't have to be hard. Here are five tips to get your class off to a great start this fall.

Alton Garrison discusses the building blocks of credibility and compatiblity in the life of a disciple.

Alton Garrison addresses the case for maturity from chapter 1 of his book.

Wes Bartel sits down with 2010 Teacher of the Year, Peggy Southerland, and her husband Jurl.

Wes Bartel discusses teaching for life change and how to help your students apply the word of God to their lives.

Watch the recording of a Small Group Webinar featuring small group experts Greg Bowman, Randall Neighbour, and Dave Treat.

The Bible stands at the center of Christian education. It is our main textbook, our training manual and the primary source of God's revelation to us. Without the Bible you can't have Christian education.

Read this mother’s account of how her child’s knowledge of Scripture encouraged his whole family during a dark period of their lives.

Teachers: Can you dialogue with your students about these tough Bible questions?

Honor and Validate the ministry of your teachers.

by Charles Crabtree
How does a weekly church become a daily church?

Doug Clay addresses healing in this iValue video.

Alton Garrison discusses the Holy Spirit in this iValue Video.

George Wood, Rick Allen, and Alton Garrison discuss Acts 2 and the Church Transformation Network.

Alton Garrison discusses 360 degree discipleship in this fourth episode.

Alton Garrison discusses 360 degree discipleship in this third episode.

Alton Garrison discusses 360 degree discipleship in this second episode.

Alton Garrison discusses 360 degree discipleship in this first episode.

Watch this video with Discipeship Training Coordinator, Dan Stanley as he discusses teacher training.

Five practical ways to support and honor teachers.

As Christians, we are all called to be disciples. But a select few are chosen, as Christ chose His intimate followers, to be core instructors.

(PDF) by Teresa Quinn

This small group training lesson discusses the role of the leader and host, how to plan and prepare for group time, how to encourage people to serve God with their lives, how to build a healthy small group, and how to take group members deeper in their connection with each other.

By Lance Witt

Here's a question for you, pastor: What is a disciple? How would we really know one if we even made one? What are the characteristics of a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Choosing Obedience

By Rob Burkhart

(The story of these two churches is true. Names, dates, places, statistics, and other details have been altered.)

It is remarkable what people will put themselves through to be where they want to be.

By Michael H. Clarensau

While specific factors related to organization and emphases are important, the differentiating factor between healthy Sunday schools and unhealthy Sunday schools is often the active and visible support of the pastor.

by Dan Betzer

I was approached by a big burly guy in our church service last Sunday night (yes, Virginia, we have Sunday night services and always will). He said, "I just wanted to tell you something. I have been quite successful in business, but now, in my late 50’s, life seems meaningless to me."

by Marlyn B. DeFoggi

When Pastor Wendel Cover steps into his pulpit on Sunday mornings, he greets worshippers from 70 different nations. "Years ago it would have been unusual to have one or two internationals in a congregation," he said. "But today, it [a multi-national congregation] is the norm for us." Word of Life Assembly, Springfield, Virginia, opens wide its doors to people of all races, cultures, and backgrounds who worship and serve together.

Although methods in themselves are not sacred, as we address spiritual issues, we must base our methods of evangelism, discipleship and church growth on the revealed principles and directives of God’s word...

The scene was strangely reminiscent of race day at Churchill Downs. Fifteen bodies strained forward, intent on the ringing of the bell. When it sounded, they burst from the room, as though released from a lifetime of captivity...

Baudeville, a company that specializes in affirmation resources, has created a line of T.E.A.M. The letters stand for "Together Everyone Accomplishes More." Has that been your experience? Maybe we could adapt their acronym for Sunday School to, "T.E.A.M. Together Everyone Achieves Ministry."

Which is more important in your Sunday School–the curriculum or you?

Thoughts to ponder at the beginning of a new year

"Without training, we tend to teach the way we were taught."

"By giving up good, it’s possible to become great!"

Ask children's pastors what are their greatest needs in children's ministry, and most will say getting enough qualified workers is among their top three concerns. Our hectic society puts time at a premium, and most people feel they are already stretched to the limit. Yet, despite busy schedules, many concerned Christians want to contribute time and resources to expand the kingdom of God. How can we help them be involved in Christian education? One answer is team teaching.

We have made several moves during our married life. Each time we looked for a good church in the area before we made our move. We realized the important influence the church would have on our family. We knew that if our children were strong spiritually, they could handle the challenges of life and would choose the right path in whatever situation they found themselves.

Great teachers use class time well by being effective teachers. And they know that time outside of class — not as teachers but as students — is just as important.

The sound of an electronic droplet announced the arrival of yet another E-mail message. Like the hundreds before, this E-mail shared new information to be added to my already overflowing mental reservoir. I found myself wanting to shout, "No more messages," only to hear the droplet as another message plopped into my crowded in box.

Love is the essence of making disciples. Instructing people in the faith requires quality material, skilled presentations, and leadership gifts. However, all these characteristics are readily available in the world, but what is not available there is a caring heart, motivated by the Holy Spirit, that places the highest priority on people. Christian disciple making is set apart by love for God and for each other that draws both leader and learner into the journey of spiritual growth.

One of the key concerns in adult ministry is helping students find their spiritual giftedness and determine how those gifts fill needs in the church’s overall goals. The usual answer is to administer spiritual giftedness questionnaires. Using these tests to help adults become involved in ministry requires perspective, preparation, and placement. Let’s focus on how to put this three-part strategy into place.

For many young families, a summer ideal is spending time in the sun, creating memories, and relaxing with one another. Limited time and money sometimes turn that ideal into a dream, rather than reality.

This year when Pentecost is fully come, your congregation can come together in one place for a Sunday evening that will help young and old look at the birth of the Church in new ways. The following idea was developed and used at Evangel Temple in Springfield, Missouri.

Do you remember a happy event that made you feel you were leaving childhood—that you were growing up? My event was the day I became a teacher. Well, not a real teacher at first. I was only 13.

Good Sunday School teachers are always looking for opportunities to give. They freely offer time and energy. Often they find ways to give material help to a class member with obvious needs. One of the greatest gifts I received from a Sunday school teacher was an opportunity to be the giver.

"I was in an overhead bucket working on power lines and was electrocuted with 14,400 volts," says Dirk Sharp, 43, whose arms had to be amputated at the shoulders. "God worked a miracle, because I should be dead." Sharp, who worked as an electrical engineer for 20 years, says physicians can’t figure out why the electricity didn’t flow through his entire body. Sharp left hospital rehabilitation with his new prosthetics in two months, prompting doctors to take blood tests to determine why he healed so quickly...

The rags-to-riches story of a man who found his passion

Joy is one of the outstanding identification marks of the true believer in Christ. More than 500 times Scripture records such words as joy,joyfulness, rejoice, and gladness. The apostle Paul lists joy second in cataloging the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

First in a series of devotionals based on the fruit of the Spirit

Inspirational story of Todd Beamer

by Billie Davis

PDF

By Justin Pinkerman

By Steve Mills

Some people claim they can predict a weather change by their body aches. There is no doubt climate and environmental conditions affect us physically and emotionally.

Leadership means influence. Effective leaders know they influence by intentionally equipping and empowering others. Ephesians 4:7-13 clearly calls leaders to equip (empower) people so the body of Christ can grow to maturity.

By Steve Mills

Often we are unaware of what it is that has caused the spirit of another to react but we can sense the distance or tension in the relationship. As leaders and team members, who are serving together as part of the church and God’s Kingdom, it is essential that our relationship not be torn apart.

By William Martin

By Steven Mills

Mobilizing believers is a core characteristic of the 21st-century church. The church must be intentional about helping people find their places in ministry and become members of the believers priesthood.

by Steve Mills

The Law of Investment says: A disciple-making church provides an intentional process that releases disciples to invest themselves in the global mission of Christ and the Church and to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. The passion of God’s heart is making and developing disciples who in turn make and develop disciples.

The following quiz is designed to help you evaluate how well you are investing yourself in ministry. Answer each question yes or no.

Training equips local Sunday School administrators by fine-tuning their skills and challenging them to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the ministries they lead.

By Tim Elmore

by Robert Douglas

By Larry Thomas

Leaders often fall into the micromanagement trap because they feel they have to touch every phase of the work personally. This method can be very destructive to creativity and achievement. The team approach is far more productive.

Responding to the calling God has placed on your life.

By Stefanie Reubell

This four-part presentation is designed to help your members understand God's purposes for the Church, the structure and needs of the local church, and their calling to serve God by discovering their gifts and learning they can fulfill themselves through service in the local church.

Personal Ministry gift survey

By Richard D. Dobbins

Staying Emotionally Healthy in Ministry

a quick guide to becoming a good storyteller

By Steve Mills

Programs are created for people not vice versa. Ministries arise because God gives talents and resources to people. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that God's plan is to develop ministry around the gifts of a person and not to develop a person to fit a position or ministry. The Scriptures say that a man's gift will make room for him. A ministry will not force a person into a mold.

By Ellen Larson

Although we do give our time and talents to the Lord and His work, we also receive personal gain and satisfaction. People need to know what happens once a person shares Jesus Christ with others. As part of your recruiting efforts, list the reasons for Christian education and be sure to include the personal benefits.

Administrating the Sunday School is not very different from running anything else. You have goals, objectives, tasks, and budgets. The great difference is the Sunday School is comprised of volunteers instead of paid employees.

From Sunday School Administrator's Manual

by Wes Haystead

A church that will have a quality educational ministry in the twenty-first century must have a strong commitment to developing and supporting people who will carry out its teaching ministry. No one else will equip the leaders and teachers a church needs. While special events such as Sunday school conventions can be very helpful for motivation and disseminating ideas, the real work of helping people become skilled must be done on an ongoing basis within the life of the church where people serve.

By Wes Haystead

A church that will have a quality educational ministry in the twenty-first century must have a strong commitment to developing and supporting people who will carry out its teaching ministry.

by Wes Haystead

Principles for recruiting volunteer

by Wes Heystead

guidelines for observing and evaluating volunteer

By Wes Haystead

Most organizations develop a host of insider terms and procedures that everyone knows but never thinks to pass on to a new person. Many of these a new person doesn’t know enough to ask about until the need arises, and then it may be too late. Consider a brief walk-through orientation that introduces a new staff member to basic survival information.

by Wes Haystead

By Stefanie Reubell

By Stefanie Reubell

Every person involved in the church’s teaching ministries will want to build a library to enhance his or her own Bible study and enrich the learning experiences of the student. The following is a list of books that can be considered the core of a good library. Begin here and then branch out.

By Zenas J. Bicket

Bible Translations and Teaching

By Billie Davis

(PDF, 492 KB)

by Lori O’Dea, D.Min.
Program Coordinator, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary

by LeRoy Bartel

Training must be educationally sound, comprehensive, ongoing, and practical with an emphasis on spiritual dynamics.

By William J. Martin

By LeRoy Bartel

By Billie Davis

Wes Bartel interviews Youth Pastor Rich Skerbitz in 2004