Church Encourager
Our hope at Church Encourager is to provide practical support to help pastors, churches and leaders have greater confidence, enthusiasm and strength in their lives and walk with God.
We are excited to announce that we are launching the Church Encourager Initiative to enhance leadership effectiveness, improve team dynamics, and reduce burnout among faith leaders. Use the button below to find out more about this exciting opportunity.
For Pastors and CHurch Leaders
Pastors and church leaders often experience high levels of stress and burnout, with limited access to personalized coaching and development tools. Many struggle with team conflicts, leadership challenges, and personal discouragement, leading to ineffective ministry and, in some cases, early resignation. We are launching the Church Encourager Initiative to enhance leadership effectiveness, improve team dynamics, and reduce burnout among faith leaders.
For Churches
Utilizing a process we call Virtual Church Spark we work with you through a series of steps to help pinpoint problems and offer solutions.
Books & Publications
Establishing a daily life of prayer and meditation on the Word of God are vital to the life and health of every believer. My devotional books help to incorporate proven Spiritual disciplines into your daily life.
Discipleship Training
Daily Psalt Intake
From the beginning, the church has used the Book fof Psalms (Psalter) as the center of its daily practice.
Discipleship Training
Daily Sage Intake
The Proverbs help to develop the way that we live our life “in Christ” in a fallen world on a broken planet.
Discipleship Training
Daily Strength Training
Have you prayed today? That is a question of four simple words that can help us to become a people of prayer.
Recent Church Encourager Posts
Kingdom Incarnate Part 16 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Incarnate Part 16 Discussion Guide
Summary
The sermon focuses on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its significance. The pastor presents three main questions: Does Jesus live? What difference does it make? And does He live in you? He provides evidence for the resurrection, including Jesus’ own predictions, the empty tomb, the transformation of the disciples, and numerous eyewitnesses. The pastor then shares his personal testimony of coming to faith, describing how he went from being agnostic to accepting Christ after a near-death experience and years of feeling spiritual emptiness.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss the power of Your resurrection, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to understand its significance in our lives. Help us to be receptive to Your truth and guide our discussion to bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
Can you share about a time when someone’s kindness (like Bob Miller’s daily sandwich in the sermon) made a lasting impression on you?
Key Verses
1 Corinthians 15:17
Isaiah 59:2
Galatians 2:20
Romans 10:9-10
Questions
What evidence for the resurrection of Jesus do you find most compelling and why?
How would you explain the significance of Jesus’ resurrection to someone who doesn’t understand why it matters?
What does it mean to have Christ ‘living in you,’ as mentioned in Galatians 2:20?
How has your understanding of ‘true happiness’ changed since knowing Christ?
Why do you think the disciples were willing to die for their belief in the risen Jesus?
What role do you think personal testimony plays in sharing the gospel with others?
How does the reality of the resurrection impact your daily life?
What empty things do people try to fill their God-shaped void with today?
Life Application
This week, identify one area of your life where you might be trying to fill a God-shaped void with something else. Commit to intentionally turning to God instead, through prayer and Scripture, when you feel that emptiness.
Key Takeaways
The resurrection of Jesus is supported by multiple pieces of evidence including eyewitness accounts
Without the resurrection, our faith would be futile and we would still be in our sins
Jesus’ resurrection makes reconciliation with God possible
True fulfillment can only come through a personal relationship with Jesus
Saying yes to Jesus is the most important decision anyone can make
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your death and resurrection that makes our salvation possible. Help us to live as people transformed by Your resurrection power, sharing Your love with others who are still searching for meaning. Fill every void in our lives with Your presence and truth. In Your name we pray, Amen.
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Kingdom Incarnate Part 15 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Incarnate Part 15 Discussion Guide
Summary
This Palm Sunday sermon focuses on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as recorded in Luke 19:37-40. The pastor emphasizes how Jesus entered Jerusalem as the sovereign king, but in an unexpected way – riding on a donkey, displaying humility rather than military might. This entrance fulfilled prophecy and demonstrated Jesus’ ‘upside-down’ kingdom values, challenging societal expectations of how a king should appear and act.
Intro Prayer
Lord, as we gather to discuss Your Word, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to understand the significance of Your humble entry into Jerusalem. Help us to respond to Your presence with proper praise and worship, just as those who welcomed You that first Palm Sunday. Guide our discussion and reveal what You want us to learn. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What’s the most memorable welcome or celebration you’ve ever experienced or witnessed?
Key Verses
Luke 19:37-40
Zechariah 9:9
Psalm 24:7-10
Questions
Why do you think Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem on a donkey rather than a war horse?
How do you think you would have responded if you were present at Jesus’ triumphal entry?
What does it mean that ‘even the stones will cry out’ if people don’t praise Jesus?
How can we ensure our praise comes from a place of joy rather than obligation?
What are some ways we can make worship a part of our daily lives?
Why did the religious leaders reject Jesus despite the fulfillment of prophecy?
How does Jesus’ humble entry reflect His character and mission?
What areas of your life might need to be surrendered to Jesus as King?
Life Application
This week, intentionally set aside time each day to praise and worship Jesus as King. Look for opportunities to acknowledge His lordship in your daily activities and respond with joyful praise, whether through prayer, song, or acts of service.
Key Takeaways
Jesus comes as the sovereign king, but in unexpected humility
Praise is the proper response to Jesus’ presence
Worship should capture both our imagination and intellect
Jesus desires not just momentary celebration but lifetime transformation
We must choose whether to welcome or reject Jesus as King
Ending Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus as our humble King who came to save us. Help us to respond to Your presence with genuine praise and complete surrender. May we carry the joy of Palm Sunday in our hearts throughout the week ahead, remembering that You are worthy of all our worship. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Church Encourager
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