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 Covenant Part 1 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Covenant Part 1 Discussion Guide
1 Title
Kingdom Covenant: Trusting God in the High Places
2 Sermon Summary
In this sermon, we embark on a new series titled “Kingdom Covenant,” which explores the covenant God makes with Abraham from Genesis 12 through 50. The sermon emphasizes the pattern of creation, blessing, failure, and redemption that is evident throughout the Bible. It highlights Abraham’s journey as he receives God’s promise of land and offspring, experiences a famine, makes the poor decision to go to Egypt, and ultimately fails by lying about his wife, Sarah. Despite these failures, God remains faithful and rescues Abraham, leading him back to a place of worship. The sermon concludes with a practical application, encouraging believers to spend time with God in prayer and scripture reading, likening this to dwelling in a “high place” with God, away from the chaos of the world.
3 Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather today to delve into Your Word and the lessons from the sermon, we ask for Your guidance. Open our hearts and minds to the truths You have for us, and help us to be receptive to the wisdom and understanding that comes from discussing Your teachings. May our conversation be fruitful and draw us closer to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
4 Ice Breaker
If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go and why?
5 Key Verses
- Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV): “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.'”
- Psalm 84:10 (NIV): “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
6 Questions
- What does the pattern of creation, blessing, failure, and redemption in the Bible teach us about God’s character?
- How did Abraham’s decision to go to Egypt reflect a lack of trust in God’s promise?
- In what ways do we sometimes make decisions based on fear rather than faith?
- How can we identify our “high places” where we can connect with God amidst life’s chaos?
- What practical steps can we take to strengthen our daily prayer and Bible reading habits?
- How does the concept of “blessing” as experiencing heaven on earth change your perspective on God’s promises?
- Discuss a time when you felt God’s strength in a difficult situation because you had spent time in His presence.
- How can we support one another in our group to consistently seek God’s presence?
7 Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to find a “high place” – a dedicated time and space for prayer and scripture reading. Aim to spend at least 15 minutes each day in this place, seeking God’s presence and listening for His guidance. As you do this, be mindful of the blessings that come from this practice and share your experiences with the group next time.
8 Ending Prayer
Lord, as we close our time together, we thank You for the insights and revelations You have provided through our discussion. May the lessons we’ve learned from Abraham’s journey inspire us to trust You more deeply and seek You diligently. Help us to apply these truths to our lives and to be a source of blessing to those around us. Guide us as we go into the week, and may we honor You in all that we do. In Jesus’ 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.
The Daily Office Prayers
One of our joys at Church Encourager is introducing you to the Daily Office Prayers. The practice of the Daily Office Prayers is deeply embedded within the Christian tradition, tracing its roots back to the Old Testament. These prayers, often called the Divine Office, the Liturgy of the Hours, or simply the Office, represent a fundamental aspect of the Church’s rhythm, bridging the sacred and the mundane while interweaving prayer into daily life.
The daily office prayers are divided into distinct sections or “hours,” each reflecting a different Christian theology and devotion aspect. The primary hours typically include Matins (or Vigils) at dawn, Lauds in the early morning, Terce at mid-morning, Sext at midday, None in the afternoon, Vespers in the evening, and Compline at night. This sacred cycle serves to sanctify time, making every moment of the day an opportunity for reflection and communion with the Divine.
The content of the Daily Office Prayers is primarily scriptural, revolving around psalms, scripture readings, and hymns. In this manner, they provide a structured way to explore the Bible and engage with its teachings. Over a week or month, these prayers encapsulate the breadth and depth of scripture, offering profound insights into faith, devotion, and God’s relationship with humanity.
Though initially developed for monks and nuns in monastic communities, the Daily Office Prayers have evolved over the centuries to accommodate lay believers and clerics alike. Today, their practice isn’t limited to those living within religious orders but extends to the broader Christian community. Many Christians find that incorporating these prayers into their daily routine helps instill a sense of spiritual discipline, mindfulness, and intentionality in their spiritual journey.
The Daily Office Prayers also remind Christians of the universal nature of the Church. As one joins these prayers, they unite with those praying at the same hour and with generations of Christians who have participated in this tradition for centuries. Geographical or temporal limits do not bind this sense of connection, reaffirming the notion of the Church as one body spread worldwide through time.
In the age of digital technology, the Daily Office Prayers have found new platforms for delivery, making them more accessible to believers worldwide. Numerous apps, podcasts, and websites now provide these prayers and associated scripture readings and hymns at the touch of a button. As such, it’s never been easier to integrate the Daily Office into one’s routine, regardless of lifestyle or circumstances.
The Daily Office Prayers are more than a religious routine; they offer a transformative spiritual discipline. By marking the hours of the day with prayer, they infuse the mundane with the sacred, reminding believers of the continual presence of God. In a rapidly changing world, they provide a steady rhythm and a timeless connection to a rich spiritual heritage, making every day a journey of faith, devotion, and contemplation. Through the Daily Office Prayers, believers are invited to experience the Christian faith in its fullness, one prayerful moment at a time.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Church Encourager
Ask a question or schedule a free thirty minute Zoom chat below.
