In Christianity spiritual growth is not meant to be a solo endeavour – though there have definitely been times I wish it was because people are hard to love and I can be heard to live with!
When we ‘give our lives to Christ’ we don’t just give him our past sins, we actually die to the old Βίος (Bios) life in order to receive the everlasting Ζωή (Zoe) life!
It’s Time to Grow Up.
Ephesians 4:14-15 says none of us are meant to stay as spiritual infants. I’ve met people in churches who’ve told me they’ve been Christians for 30 years – when the truth is they’ve actually been Christian for one year, 30 times!
One woman slept nightly with her pet python sprawled across her body. Eventually, the snake stopped eating so she was worried about it. A vet discovered the snake was curling itself around her to size her up, and starving itself as preparation to devour her!
Heaven’s desire and decree is for 2025 to be a year of EXPANSION as the Lord is calling us to stretch wider, dig deeper, and expand beyond what we have yet experienced or ever imagined.
Here’s how I want this vision to inspire and shape my own leadership in 2025 and I invite you to consider it too.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Last year was Ivy’s year of _____________________________ Our goal continues: “To be a supernatural community that’s all about ________”. Key Scripture for 2025 Isaiah _________ – God wants to do a bigger work in and through each of us this year. – How do we get ready? “Believe Me and _______________ yourself.” 2025: The Year of __________________________ How? – Go deeper – Stretch wider – Grow generationally We start next week our SHAPE Series. Every believer has a unique SHAPE for ministry 1. S – Spiritual _____________ – What am I gifted to do? – “Each has his own gift from God…” _(1 Corinthians 7:7)_ 2. H – Heart – What do I ___________to do?* – “God works in you to will and to do…” _(Philippians 2:13)_ 3. A – Abilities – What am I able to do? – “Our c___________________ comes from God.” _(2 Corinthians 3:5)_ 4. P – Personality – What am I made to do? (Romans 12:6) 5. E – Experiences – What can I help others to do? – God uses spiritual, educational, and even painful experiences _(2 Corinthians 1:4)_. Take Action in 2025: […]
Church is not a place you go; it’s a people you belong to and a mission you live out.
Ex police officer interviews his ex criminal (allegedly) friend.
How can we navigate the challenges of daily life while staying focused on God’s divine purpose? That’s where the B.I.O. concept comes in—a simple yet powerful framework that can guide us on our spiritual journey and help us lead others to do the same.
What we measure determines what we think success is.
Most churches still tend to measure by the ABCs:
ATTENDANCE, BUILDINGS and CASH (Offerings)
These are useful, but not optimal – or even biblical!
Being BIG, WEALTHY and INFLUENTIAL does not necessarily mean a church is healthy (as we have seen so graphically and too in recent years).
HOW Does God measure success?