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 Tension Part 2 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Tension Part 2 Discussion Guide
Summary
This sermon is part of a series called ‘Kingdom Tension’ focusing on the early church and its role as God’s instrument for spreading His kingdom. The pastor discusses how the church lives in the tension between the ‘now and not yet’ – between Christ’s first coming and His return. He emphasizes that the church isn’t just a building or weekly gathering, but rather who Christians are as God’s people, empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out the ministry of reconciliation.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word and the role of Your church, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us. Help us understand how we can better serve as Your instruments in this world. Guide our discussion and show us how to live faithfully in the tension between the now and not yet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had being part of a church community?
Key Verses
2 Corinthians 5:17-19
Matthew 16:18-19
Matthew 28:18-20
Acts 2:42-47
Questions
What does it mean to you personally to be part of God’s church?
How do you see the tension between the ‘now and not yet’ playing out in your daily life?
What does it mean to have the ‘keys to the kingdom’ as mentioned in Matthew 16?
How can we better embrace our role in the ministry of reconciliation?
What barriers might prevent us from ‘opening the door’ and getting out of God’s way?
How does understanding our identity as ‘new creation’ people change how we live?
In what ways can we demonstrate kingdom living to those around us?
How can we better partner with the Holy Spirit in our daily lives?
Life Application
This week, intentionally look for opportunities to be an instrument of God’s kingdom by sharing His message of reconciliation with someone in your sphere of influence. Remember to ‘open the door’ and let God work through you rather than trying to orchestrate everything yourself.
Key Takeaways
The church is God’s chosen instrument for spreading His kingdom
We live in the tension between Christ’s first coming and His return
The Holy Spirit empowers us for ministry and kingdom work
Our primary role is to share the message of reconciliation
Success in ministry comes from opening the door and letting God work
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for making us part of Your church and giving us the privilege of being Your instruments in this world. Help us to faithfully live in the tension between the now and not yet, always ready to open doors for Your work. Empower us by Your Spirit to be effective witnesses and ministers of reconciliation. 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 Tension Part 1 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Tension Part 1 Discussion Guide
Summary
This sermon introduces a new series called ‘Kingdom Tension,’ focusing on living in the period between Jesus’ first coming and His eventual return – the ‘now and not yet.’ The message explores how Christians are called to be the ‘salt of the earth’ and ‘light of the world,’ serving as portable temples of God’s presence. The sermon emphasizes that all believers have a purpose as part of God’s royal priesthood, with the mission of bringing ‘one more’ lost person back to God.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word, open our hearts and minds to understand what it means to live in this kingdom tension. Help us to see how we can be both salt and light in our world today. Guide our conversation and help us learn from each other as we seek to grow closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What’s your favorite way to use salt in cooking or food preparation?
Key Verses
Matthew 5:13-16
1 Corinthians 6:19
Ephesians 2:19-21
1 Peter 2:9
Questions
What does it mean to live in the ‘now and not yet’ of God’s kingdom?
How do you understand the metaphor of being ‘salt of the earth’? What does that look like in practice?
What does it mean to be a ‘portable temple’ of God’s presence?
How can we effectively be ‘light of the world’ in our daily lives?
What challenges do you face in living as a ‘new creation’ person in today’s world?
How does understanding our role as part of a ‘royal priesthood’ change how we view our purpose?
What does it mean to you that the church should exist for non-Christians as much as Christians?
How can we better fulfill our mission of bringing ‘one more’ lost person back to God?
Life Application
This week, intentionally look for opportunities to be ‘salt and light’ in your everyday interactions. Choose one specific way you can bring God’s presence into your workplace, home, or community, and act on it.
Key Takeaways
We live in the tension between Christ’s first coming and His return
As believers, we are portable temples of God’s presence
Every Christian has a purpose as part of God’s royal priesthood
Our mission is to bring ‘one more’ lost person back to God
The church exists to serve both believers and non-believers
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling us to be Your salt and light in this world. Help us embrace our role as Your portable temples and royal priesthood. Give us courage to live authentically as new creation people in this time of tension, always seeking to bring one more person into Your kingdom. 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.
Church Encourager
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