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 Podcast
Recent Church Encourager Posts
Kingdom Tension Part 3 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Tension Part 3 Discussion Guide
Summary
This sermon focuses on worship within the context of living in the ‘Kingdom Tension’ – the space between Christ’s first coming and His return. The pastor emphasizes that worship is more than just singing songs or attending church services; it’s a lifestyle that anchors believers in God’s unshakeable kingdom. Through worship, Christians welcome God’s rule and reign in their lives and are transformed into living testimonies of His presence.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word, open our hearts and minds to understand worship in a deeper way. Help us to see beyond our traditional understanding and show us how to live lives of continuous worship that honor You. Guide our discussion and reveal what You want each person here to learn. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What’s the kindest thing someone has done for you recently?
Key Verses
Hebrews 12:28
Acts 2:42-47
1 Peter 2:9
Revelation 21:1-7
Questions
How would you define worship beyond just singing songs?
What does it mean to be anchored in an ‘unshakeable kingdom’ when the world feels chaotic?
How can showing kindness be an act of worship?
In what ways do you see yourself as part of the ‘royal priesthood’ mentioned in the sermon?
How does understanding worship as a lifestyle change your daily activities?
What practical steps can you take to maintain a worship mindset throughout your week?
How does the hope of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21) impact how you live today?
What areas of your life do you find it challenging to view as worship?
Life Application
This week, choose one daily activity (like driving, working, or interacting with others) and intentionally approach it as an act of worship. Keep a journal of how this perspective changes your attitude and actions in that situation.
Key Takeaways
Worship anchors us in God’s unshakeable kingdom
True worship extends beyond church services into all aspects of life
We are called to be a royal priesthood, proclaiming God’s glory in everything we do
Kindness and blessing others is a form of worship
Living worship helps us maintain hope in the tension between the now and not yet
Ending Prayer
Lord God, thank You for showing us that worship is about our whole lives, not just our songs. Help us to live as Your royal priesthood, anchored in Your unshakeable kingdom even when the world around us feels unstable. Give us the strength to choose kindness and blessing over criticism and judgment. May our lives be a continuous act of worship that draws others to You. 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.
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.
Church Encourager
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