Today we have a guest, and not just any guest! Jimmy Pena is the founder of Prayfit and has worked with people like Mario Lopez, LL Cool J, and Tyler Perry to create National Best Selling Books and DVDs. Today we talk about his new DVD called Prayfit: 33-Day Total Body Challenge its a great DVD that has you focusing on delivering your personal best for 33 Days for 33 minutes. Each workout contains challenges that last for 33 seconds. It will make you sweat.

PrayFit 33-Day Total Body Challenge utilizes the Christian faith to inspire those with weight loss goals and is a complete workout and motivational system designed to burn calories, build lean muscle and bolster your faith, helping to reshape your entire body in 33 minutes a day for 33 days.  Ideal for any fitness level, the workout includes a highly efficient 33-minute workout that combines cardio, strength and core moves for total body results in a limited amount of time, requiring no extra equipment.  The program works because it demands progression and challenges you to give your best effort. The key is to do more today than you did yesterday.  As Jimmy says, “Yesterday’s best is today’s quest.”  To encourage you to stay the course, Jimmy includes faith-based motivation throughout the workout and created weekly “PrayFit Minute” devotionals to inspire you to improve your life by honoring the one who made you.

We also talk about his book Prayfit: Your Guide to A Healthy Body and A Stronger Faith in 28 Days which churches are now using in combination with the DVD to create study groups, and bring the talk of taking care of the gift that is your body back into the church.

We answer questions such as “If I’m doing both, should I do cardio or strength training first?”

For daily inspiration, forums, nutrition, newsletters, swag, as well as videos check out www.prayfit.com

Download the DVD  in iTunes

In Jesus Name We Train – Jimmy Pena from PrayFit is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

According the book, “Get Healthy for Heaven’s Sake, “According to a recent study, Christians are more obese than non-Christians, and Baptists are in the lead. Morrone, Lisa (2011-04-01). Get Healthy, for Heaven’s Sake (p. 63). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.  Instead of singing they will know we are Christians by our Love, it will be they will know we are Christians by our love of FOOD. With everyone jumping on the “New Year’s Resolution” why not steer your church into a fitness awareness program. There are plenty of tools to help.

I just watched the DVD called Prayfit: 33-Day Total Body Challenge. This goes along with a few books inculding: Prayfit: Your Guide to A Healthy Body and A Stronger Faith in 28 Days and Prayfit FamilyThis is the mastermind of Jimmy Pena. At PrayFit, they believe that the Lord has mandated a dedication to our health. In a nation gone mad with super-sized meal deals, even the most devout believers tend to over-indulge, as evidenced by the church’s ever-widening collective waistline. It’s not just detrimental to your wardrobe – each passing day of inactivity or nutritional indiscretion is a missed opportunity at living a longer, healthier, more fruitful life.

Another great plan comes form Amy and Phil Parham (You might remember them from the biggest loser). Their book is The 90-Day Fitness Challenge there is alss a The 90-Day Fitness Challenge DVD. Phil and Amy Parham lost over 256 pounds on NBC’s Biggest Loser television show’s sixth season in 2008. It was a dark time in the life of this couple whose autistic son Rhett’s special needs kept them on high alert 24/7 and Phil’s mortgage broker business had failed a few years earlier. The couple discusses how they coped with these life stresses…by eating. Their story of disappointment and defeat could be told by any number of families across the United States, but their courage and resilience at overcoming these hefty challenges is remarkably and singularly inspiring.

If you want to have a book club I HIGHLY  recommend the book Get Healthy, for Heaven’s Sake: 7 Steps to Living Strong, Loving God, and Serving Others

Overweight, slouched, deconditioned, and very tired. This describes millions of American Christians—men and women who are frustrated in their desire to serve God and their families because their bodies and minds simply aren’t up to the task.

Health author Lisa Morrone gives readers an overall life plan for restoring their energy and ability and staying strong in their usefulness throughout their life span. Not a short-term repair job—not a rigid, inflexible plan—this resource lays out balanced, practical advice in seven areas

Another book you may want to check out is Reshaping It All: Motivation for Physical and Spiritual Fitness Candace Cameron Bure first became known to millions as a co-star on the hit ABC television series Full House. Today, like her brother Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains, Fireproof), she is the rare Hollywood actor who is outspoken about her Christian faith and how it helps overcome certain obstacles.

Bure’s healthy lifestyle has been featured in US Weekly and People magazines as well as national talk shows including The View and NBC’s Today. In Reshaping It All, she continues the story, inspiring women to embrace a healthier lifestyle by moving faith to the forefront, making wise choices, and finding their worth in the eyes of God. Candace shares a candid account of her struggle with food and ultimately her healthy outlook on weight despite the toothpick-thin expectations of Hollywood.

More than a testimony, here is a motivational tool that will put readers on the right track and keep them there. In addition to practical advice, Candace offers a biblical perspective on appetite and self control that provides encouragement to women, guiding them toward freedom.

Includes 16-page black and white photo insert

One popular book I see a lot is The Maker’s Diet: The 40-day health experience that will change your life forever, which has additional resources tied to it that include: ,The Maker’s Diet for Weight Loss: 16-week strategy for burning fat, cleansing toxins, and living a healthier life!, Makers Diet Shopper’s Guide: Meal plans for 40 days – Shopping lists – Recipes,,Makers Diet Daily Reminders: Here are 365 daily reminders to encourage you to live in better health for the rest of your life. and Maker’s Diet Audio Experience

Set to chart-topping inspirational gospel music, these workouts combine the power of your faith with your desire to lose weight and get fit. It’s a party with a purpose, and you’re invited.

Each Body Gospel begins with a prayer, then gets you moving to joyful gospel music. This comprehensive at-home program combines faith, fitness, and nutrition to enhance your faith and transform your health. Soon, you’ll see and feel inspiring results. It inlucdes 6 DVDs including:

Body Revival:
This calorie-blasting cardio workout lifts your spirit, slims your body, and leaves you feeling energized all day long.

Core Revelation:
Lose those love handles and define your abs while slimming and trimming your thighs and backside.
Stretch in the Spirit:
Increase your flexibility, reduce stress, and breathe new life into your healthy temple

Power & Praise:
An interval-training workout with Donna’s specially designed resistance bands to help tone and define your muscles while you burn fat.

Gospel Glory:
An advanced body-slimming cardio workout to help shrink your hips and thighs, and flatten your tummy

Strength & Spirit:
Alternates between strength and cardio training for maximum fat and calorie burning. Sculpt and tone your body from head to toe.

It also includes a nutritional guide, strength bands, and online tools, t-shirts and more
Just 2 monthly payments of $39.95. Plus… a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. More information

If you are looking to make it a competition check out these sites:

Weight Loss Wars

Earndit.com (You need something electronic like a Fitbit to track your changes).

Logical Weight Loss “Biggest Loser” Spreadhseet.

Christians Are Fatter Than Non- Church Goers is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

A new Viral Video is going around that could lead to some good discussion with your youth.

Have you heard about Ben Breedlove? Breedlove created the popular OurAdvice4You channel on YouTube in November 2010. He would give out relationship advice to his viewers and interview family members and friends. On May 23, 2011, he launched his second channel, BreedloveTV, a companion channel to his first, where he would answer questions about dating, relationships and advice.

As of 29 December 2011 OurAdvice4You has a total of 38 videos, and nearly 60,000 subscribers, and BreedloveTV has 17 videos and almost 20,000 subscribers.

A third channel was created by Breedlove on December 18, 2011, entitled TotalRandomness512. This channel is the host of the two-part video, “This is my story“, which has since become viral.

If you haven’t wathced thses videos, they are touching. Sadly Ben died on Christmas 2011 a week after his last video.

This is My Story Ben Breedlove is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Today I talk about YouVersion a free bible app, that does so much more.

Here is what the event for this podcast looks like:

Free Christian Book

We also listen to a snippet of Organic Outreach for Ordinary People: Sharing Good News Naturally. Here is the description from Amazon.com

“Fulfill One of Your Deepest Longings Every follower of Jesus has a sincere desire to share God’s love with others. We want to tell friends and family about who Jesus is, what he means to us, and all he has done for them. Deep in our hearts we have a burning passion to pass on the good news we have received. But, where do we start? We want to share our faith, but we don’t want it to feel awkward, uncomfortable, or unnatural … for them or for us! Organic Outreach for Ordinary People will help you shape a personal approach to passing on the good news of Jesus in natural ways. This is not a system or a program. It’s a collection of biblical practices that you can incorporate into your life starting today. You can begin right where God has placed you. You can share the love and message of Jesus in a way that fits exactly how God has wired you. In this practical and easy-to-read book, Kevin Harney offers the tools needed to reach out with God’s love in organic ways. In these pages you will discover that sharing the good news of Jesus can be as natural as talking about your favorite sports team or telling a friend about a wonderful new restaurant. On the golf course, over coffee, while taking a walk—anywhere and everywhere—become a bearer of grace. Share the amazing love of God. Tell the life-changing story of Jesus. Discover ordinary ways to communicate God’s love and the message of salvation—naturally.”

You can get this audio book (read by the Author) for free by going to audibletrial.com/dave

Make Your Church Service Interactive is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Today I comment on an article from Outrreach Magazine where they polled 100 Pastors.

They talk about creating leaders.

Talk about when to talk about Politics.

Favorite Words of Advice.

If I Could Do One Thing Differently is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Its Fall and as I sit in the stands of my local football game (My Step Son is in the Band) freezing I would LOVE if someone offered to buy me a hot chocolate. You could so this, and then hand the warm cup to the person with a small pamphlet for their church. Your actions would stand out, and the person should be thinking, “What’s up with this person?” The answer shuold be obvious: I’m a Christian. Here are some other fall activities:

1. Send teams of four to rake leaves.

2. Get some ladders and clean the gutters. Its a lot of work, but deeply apprecaited.

Branded: Sharing Jesus with a Consumer Culture

The church spends $1.5 million for every one new follower of Jesus. Apple sells 26 iPads every minute. What is it that makes Apple so exciting and Jesus so boring? What is it that compels someone to bring their iPod everywhere and their Bible nowhere? In a word: marketing. Jesus is a life-changing product with lousy salespeople – people who are intimidated and embarrassed by the word “evangelism” and who show more enthusiasm for their gadgets than their God. What would life look like if we could market our faith like Nike and Apple market their products – sharing relationally, from person to person?

Using examples from these and other successful companies, author Tim Sinclair challenges Christians to throw out their casual attitudes toward faith and sign on for a marketing campaign for the Savior.

Written with the wit and wisdom of an experienced marketer, Branded peels away the feelings of fear and explains how to share faith in ways that are honest, authentic, and, most importantly, effective

Fall Connections and Branded: Sharing Jesus with a Consumer Culture is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Today we review an article from Outreach magazine. They discuss how the Churches that are growing are:

1. Building Leaders

2. Going into the Community

3. Leading by Example

4. Understanding their congregations.

This comes from the Outreach Magazine Special issue “100 Largest and Fastest-Growing Churches in America.”

Grow a Church of Any Size is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Big Churches Getting Bigger – Free eBook is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

I was unaware that May 15th is Internet Evangelsim Day. In honor of this day, a bunch of ebooks (and some for Kindle) are availabel for download. Some are available Month, and some are only available on May 15th (so mark your calendar). You can find them at http://www.internetevangelismday.com/free-christian-ebook-downloads.php

Free Evangelism eBooks is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

A new report from the barna group is out talking about “What Americans Believe About Universalism and Pluralism” it shows how many people think that “We’re all ok, and we are all saved.” The part of the report that shocked me was the Christian Persepctives. Here they are:

“Christians’ Perspectives
When looking at the Christian community, born again Christians were more likely to be interested in sharing their faith with others as well as more likely than average to say they desire active, healthy relationships with people of other faiths. [Born again Christians are defined by Barna Group as those who have made a commitment to Jesus Christ and who believe they are going to heaven because of their confession of sins and accepted Christ as their savior. It is not based upon self-identifying with the label “born again.”]

Nevertheless, despite their own personal faith convictions, many born again Christians embrace certain aspects of universalist thought. One-quarter of born again Christians said that all people are eventually saved or accepted by God (25%) and that it doesn’t matter what religious faith you follow because they all teach the same lessons (26%). An even larger percentage of born again Christians (40%) indicated that they believe Christians and Muslims worship the same God.”

To this I have one response:

John 14:6  ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

There isn’t a lot of room for interpretation there…

Christian Confusion is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

I found a great article from Outreach magazine. That has a list of items you shold be doing to make sure Easter does not sneak up on you.

Encourage Invitation

•Step 1 – Ask church members to pray for 5 people to invite on Easter Sunday.
•Step 2 – Equip them with printed invitations and set up a Facebook event page so that they can easily pass-along the invite.
•Step 3 – After service, provide an element of fun. Host an after gathering—a church picnic, coffeehouse, or meet and greet.

Get the Word Out

•Door to Door: Walk the neighborhood with door hangers, or send a last-minute postcard to your target demographic.
•Banners & Signs: Hang a banner on church property or businesses around town. Provide yard signs to members.
•Media: Approach your local radio station, newspaper or news station with a press release for Easter events.
•Internet: Take out Facebook ads, create a Facebook event page, and post comments regarding Easter services to your Facebook and Twitter accounts. Take out a free ad on Craigslist. Try free Google Advertising.

Crash Someone Else’s Party

•Local Easter Festivities: If your city or mother’s club is hosting a big Easter egg hunt or parade, ask how your church might help. Host a booth, pass out Easter baskets and invites, or help stuff plastic eggs for the kids.
•Another church’s special event. Partner up with another area church already planning an event or gathering outdoors.

Clean House

•Church Building & Grounds: Provide a hospitable welcome. Clear debris, spring clean, and provide a welcoming and updated atmosphere.
•Church Website: Assess your website for design and functionality, and provide Easter specific information. Make sure you are listed on Google when someone searches for “church” alongside your city name.
•Accessibility: Provide easy parking for visitors, and directional signage.
•Information: Ensure your info center is current and relevant for visitors.

Not-So Random Acts of Kindness

•Photo Opp: Snap photos at the local Easter event. Provide free CDs to each family of the images, or pass out invites and cards indicating where people can view or purchase photos (try Shutterfly.com, SnapFish.com, Flickr.com, or a similar photo sharing service).
•Easter Basket Craft: Bring plain Easter baskets to a nearby retirement home, and spend time decorating them with the residents.
•Neighborhood Seder: Encourage members to host neighborhood Seder dinners, inviting unsaved neighbors and explaining the traditions behind the meal.
•Spring Cleaning: Enlist the youth group to clean yard debris, do odd-jobs, and plant gardens for shut-ins or families in need.
•Adopt an Easter Basket: Ask members to each donate a filled basket, and coordinate with a family shelter, school or food bank for distribution to families in need.
•Basket Invites: Suggest that members assemble custom Easter baskets for friends as an Easter invitation. Baskets might include a Bible, music CD, candy, gift cards, book, an invitation to Easter services, and other thoughtful items.

Comeback Events

•An Intriguing Series: Follow up Easter with a testimony series or other interesting sermon series.
•A Special Event: Host a family-fun park day, concert, beach bonfire, or buy out a day at the pool or bowling alley in the weeks following Easter.
•Ministry Events: Ask ministries to each plan a special event in the following month. Include them in Easter announcements.
•Open House & Orientation: Cast the vision for your church and various ministries, and provide an introduction to the faith.
•A Newcomers Class: Start a Bible study for new believers.
What is your church planning for Easter Sunday?

Easter Service Checklist is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

We have a special deal for the Grow Your Church Show listening audience. You can receive one free audio book and a 14 day trial from Audible. There are over 1008 titles in the Religious and inspirational category alone (over 85,000 titles on the whole site).

You could sign up for your free trial any choose titles such as

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God

Master Plan of Evangelism

Prophetic Fishing: Evangelism in the Power of the Spirit

More Than a Carpenter Today

Conquer Your Fear, Share Your Faith: Evangelism Made Easy

Just Walk Across the Room: Simple Steps for Pointing People to Faith

“I Can” Evangelism: Taking the “I Can’t” Out of Sharing Your Faith

Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary

as well as titles such as “Just as I am” The autobiography of Billy Graham

Audible not only works on your computer, but it also works on your iphone or android app.

For more information go to www.audibletrial.com/dave

-Dave Jackson
Host
Grow Your Church Show

Free Christian Audio Book is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

You want to have a full church on Easter. You hope the “Chreasters” can make it this year. Well Easter is four weeks away (if not less) and in theory you should’ve already made plans, had posters printed, and be promoting your plan starting last Sunday. If you’re stuck, or have no budget, here is an idea.

Instead of thinking about getting hundreds of people into the church (which can be overwhelming), why not get your congregation to focus on one person per member. You can blow this up as big as you want, but the thought is the same. Don’t go for the grand slam, go for the base hit. Go for one.

Here are some ways to help promote this idea:

Have bracelets made (they are all the rave ya know) with the phrase ONE on them. Wearing these will remind people to ask their friends and family, and may be an ice breaker (What’s the bracelt about?).

Have a card made, or use a sheet of paper for people to fill our their one name and have them brind it forward at the end of the service. Have the pastor pray over the names, and continue each week to pray over the names. have the members keep a copy of the paper so they can remind themselves to PRAY for this ONE person.

Scripture: Luke 10:2
He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Remind them that just hoping people will show up is not enough. A farmer does not plant seeds and then HOPE that the crops end up in the storage silohs. He has to go HARVEST the crops. It’s time to harvest the lost. They need christ more than ever.

Getting People Into Church on Easter is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

[amazonify]0310245907[/amazonify]Here is another book that may help you to get inside the mind of the people you are trying to reach. Here is what one reviewer said at amazon.com

Everyone who takes the Christian faith seriously should read this book and be prepared to do some sober reflection. Whether a pastor, youth worker, elder, deacon, lay leader, or church member – those who take Dan Kimball’s book to heart may very well need to make some significant changes in their approach to outreach and evangelism.

In They Like Jesus But Not The Church, Dan Kimball first points out the convicting and humbling truth that the longer one is a Christian, the less likely one is to have significant friendships with those who are not Christian. Instead, most Christians today find their lives consumed with church-related activities – and those whose primary jobs are ministry-related are often the worst offenders. How can anyone know what the needs of the unchurched are unless they are involved in trusting relationships with them?

The church in America has become nearly irrelevant to most 20- and 30-somethings. Yet those who follow Jesus rarely venture outside our cozy Christian comfort zones to learn why. Unless individual Christians are actively engaged in open and trusting relationships with non-Christians (without a conversion agenda), the life-changing gospel message won’t effectively be spread merely by changing our worship service structure, format, or atmosphere. Furthermore, most Christians tend to compound the problem by generally taking one of two approaches to evangelism: either we see every non-Christian as a potential target, and if we spend any time with them at all the goal is to “seal the deal;” or we isolate our faith from our everyday lives and generally avoid faith- or church-related conversations with anyone other than our church friends.

One of the biggest strengths of this book are the voices of many people (most in their 20s and 30s) with whom Dan Kimball has spent hours in conversation. He has developed trusting relationships and most importantly has really listened to where they’re coming from when they talk about Jesus, the church, and Christians. Dan’s goal was not to convert them, but to hear them. And likely, in doing so, he began to remove some of the stereotypes about Christians and the church that they might have held.

It is surprising and refreshing to learn of the positive and often even accurate views many people outside the church have about Jesus. In general, they deeply respect him and his teachings. But they see the church as very un-Christlike, and the church must not ignore their perceptions and feelings. Whether or not their ideas about the church being homophobic, male-dominated, judgmental and negative, or having a political agenda are true of all churches or any single church, the reality is that these perceptions are a significant barrier to trust in the church and acceptance of Christianity.

Dan does not compromise his orthodox beliefs as he interacts and engages with the people and the issues, and neither does he advocate that any church or individual compromise. But he is willing to ask difficult questions – questions that any serious Christian should consider. At the end of each chapter are excellent discussion questions which challenge and provoke thought about specific issues, about the reader’s own attitudes and perceptions, and about ways the reader might take action.

This book has deeply challenged me, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is serious about our great commission to make disciples out of all nations. They Like Jesus But Not The Church is a reminder to me that God is indeed working in the world, and that I am called to be in relationship with people at all points in their journey of faith, doing what I can to help point the way to Jesus, yet trusting that each person is ultimately in God’s hands.

They Like Jesus but Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

[amazonify]082543324X:left[/amazonify]

Author Randy Newman suggests that we engage people around us in the way Jesus often did- by asking questions, even answering questions with questions. By using dialogue in this rabbinic style, we can engage people in such a way as to get them to think about their beliefs. Furthermore, and maybe more importantly, by doing so we can engage their hearts because a person’s acceptance of the gospel is not solely based on their ability to reason. Questions can get people who have never considered why they believe some things to be true to honestly think about them. Asking questioning can tear down strongholds of false views and build plausibility for the gospel. Examples of this kind of questioning dialogue, often from real conversations, are sprinkled throughout this book.

Of course, not all questions are genuine, or even questions at all, but rather attacks. Newman is aware this. Sometimes the best response is not to answer the attack but to ask a question. Even simple questions like “really?” and “so?” can turn a conversation around. It levels the playing field and opens the path for further serious discussion.

While remaining accessible, the book gives insight on how to respond to weighty questions such as “Why does God allow evil?”, “Why are Christians so homophobic?”, and “If Jesus is so great, why are some of his followers such jerks?” There aren’t easy answers to all the questions. Sometimes there are no answers but the point of this book is not to tell you what to think, but rather to give perspective on how to think about various issues and how to relate to people. We don’t have all the answers and shouldn’t pretend like we do. Rather, it is more important that we honestly and wisely interact with people while pointing to the hope we have.

The intended audience is those who have a strong grasp of the gospel and a desire to declare it to others. Unlike declaring and defending the gospel that serve as a foundation, questioning evangelism doesn’t always strive to give solid answers. Sometimes were not after answers; sometimes were after compassion. Questioning Evangelism is a book on evangelism that isn’t wooden and recognizes that we are mind, body, heart, and soul-questions and all. Not only that, but it is also quite enjoyable to read with plentiful anecdotes and points to ponder. Who would have thought?

Questioning Evangelism is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

I just heard about a book thats getting a lot of response. It’s called Share Jesus Without Fear. Its got 4.5 out of 5 stars at Amazon (after 45 reviews). Here are some of the reviews from Amazon.com

Many evangelism styles are so challenging to the average Christian that they are like asking a baby to run a marathon before they learn to crawl. Share Jesus Without Fear is very practical and the principles presented can be practiced by both the experienced soul winner and the person who is scared to death.

Dr. Fay has witnessed to more than 25,000 people, so he is well able to address the common responses and reactions of people. He gives real-life scenarios that will open your mind to new possibilities with regard to sharing your faith. But the best part is how simple sharing the gospel becomes when you understand his approach. I have been a Christian 20 years, but this is the first time I’ve begun to feel confident to share my faith with anyone.

Share Jesus Without Fear is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.  -Luke 6:45

The first law of effective outreach deals with the church’s heart for the unsaved. The heart leads us into both action and speech; and godly actions and speech without a matching heart make us like Pharisees (Isaiah 29:13, Mark 7:6). It is important to start with a genuine heart for the Lord.

As Bob Pierce, the founder of both Samaritan’s Purse and World Vision once wrote in his Bible, “Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.” While we are given glimpses of the Lord’s heart many times in scripture, Jesus’ ministry on earth gives us great examples…

In Luke 19:10 Jesus communicated his heart for the unsaved, his outreach identity: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Jesus often broke bread with sinners, and cared for the unfortunate. Jesus’ heart was evident in his actions.

Your church has a similar opportunity to communicate its heart, and from it create a clear mission to reach the lost. Here are a few suggestions and principles to build your outreach identity in the 21^st century…

1.  Develop a Mission Statement

A mission statement establishes a foundation for your church. It defines your heart and passion, it prioritizes your programming and directs your resources (budget), and focuses your goals.

A Comprehensive Plan: Establish a vision, core values, and plan of implementation along with your mission statement.  

Inspire to Action: Constantly remind church members of your church mission. Reference it in your literature, in your church announcements and in your sermons on a regular basis.

2. Understand Your Community

Each community is a culture unto itself—with history, perceptions, and occupations unique to its locale. When you consider the demographics and needs of people in your community, your church can better approach them with the Gospel by meeting those needs or answering their important questions.

3. Understand Your People

Take an inventory of the members of your church to determine their gifts and abilities.  Discern ways these gifts can be used for new outreach opportunities. Try a spiritual gifts inventory, or Purpose Driven’s SHAPE assessment.

4. Take a Resource Inventory

Consider the various resources available to your church (in addition to dollars) that might be repurposed for outreach. Consider how resources like your church building, land or vehicles could serve your community. 

5. Assess Ministry Programs

Consider how ministries in your church family are currently reaching out. Every ministry should have at least one outreach component.

6. Identify Partner Ministries & Organizations

Charities likely exist in your community (i.e. your local food pantry). Discover how you might partner with them, leverage their existing networks, and reach even more people for Christ.

7. Update Your Image to Reflect Your Identity

Your image is your outward face of your inward identity. As a matter of integrity, the goal is to have an image that best reflects who you are as a church. Consider how your logo, signage, brochures, ad pieces, other communication materials, and your building work together to represent who you are.

8. Build Bridges Into Your Community

Build both short-term bridges, such as a specific one-time event or message series, and long-term bridges, which consistently meet the needs of people over time, like a support group or food pantry. For further insight on this subject, read The Church of Irresistible Influence by Robert Lewis.

For more information on the 4 Laws of Effective Outreach, and to purchase the 4 Laws seminar DVDs, please visit Outreach.com, or click here.

What is your church’s mission statement?

Outreach Plan – Do You Have One? is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

We try and try to get people to come to church. We think “If they could jsut see how nice anf friendly we are..”

Well Christ called us to GO and make deciples of all nations and one church in Wisconsin is taking GO as a direct order and going to a place where you may find people in need of help: the pub.

Radiant Felloship Church in Waupaca Wis has “Church at the Pub.” A time where members of the church (with permission from the pub owner) hang out and talk everything from sports to pop music with patrons.  The church members buy nonalcoholic bevergaes and listen in a nonjudgemental way to anyone who needs someone to listen. They’ve even helped a woman escape a deomstic violence situation.

They have also given away gas cards, bibles, and grocery gift cards. They may even buy pizza for the patrons.

If they won’t come to you, you need to go to them.

Church at the Pub – Taking the Church to Them is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

I’m about two chapters into the book Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey and its becoming very hard to put down. It talks about how the driving force of Congregational Change is Spiritual and Relational Vitality. Jesus even told us this when he said Love the lord your God with all your heart…. (Spiritual Vitality) and to love one another (Relational Vitality).

The authors are Jim Herrington, Mike Bonem, and James H Furr. who have helped churches turn themselves around. As they worked with churches they noticed patterns, and techniques. It really begins with changing yourself from the inside out. I’ll keep you posted as I continue more. The interesting thing is the book is available on the Kindle, but NOT as a hardbound. The Workbook is available in hard bound but not (understandably) on the Kindle.

Leading Congregational Change Part Book Review is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

If you’ve listened to this podcast you know I’m a big Fan of Host Gator. Well they are offering some “Black Friday Offers”

First off all to anyone on the email list this is a bit of a rerun and I apologize.

Without further ado, here is the Black Friday 2010 Special Offer:

They’re offering 50% OFF EVERYTHING From 12:00AM CST to 5AM CST

They’re offering 80% OFF EVERYTHING From 5AM to 9AM CST WHILE SUPPLIES LAST (first come, first receive; so definitely don’t miss out!)

From 9AM to 11:59PM CST OR after 80% OFF accounts have sold out, They will continue to offer 50% OFF EVERYTHING

This applies to ALL Accounts and ALL Term Lengths. You have the opportunity to receive up to 80% off of up to 3 years worth of Hosting! That would come out to $35.64 for 3 FULL YEARS!

That includes Shared Hosting, Reseller Hosting, VPS Hosting AND even Dedicated Servers! Never before have we allowed the promotion on EVERYTHING including reseller, vps and dedicated servers!

This will apply to the client’s first invoice (first term length they sign up for whether that be 1 month or for 3 years).

This promotion gives our customers our award winning hosting for as little as:

Shared Hosting: $4.95/month AS LOW AS $0.99/month

Reseller Hosting: $24.95/month AS LOW AS $4.99/month

VPS Hosting: $19.95/month AS LOW AS $3.99 First Month

Dedicated Servers: $174/month AS LOW AS $34.80 First Month

As you can see, this is an absolutely CRAZY DEAL and you have an opportunity to make a LOT OF MONEY promoting our Black Friday 2010 Offer!

For more information Check out Host Gator’s Website

Host Your Churches Website for .99 a Month is a post from: Grow Your Church Show