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 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.
Kingdom Incarnate Part 17 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Incarnate Part 17 Discussion Guide
Summary
This sermon focuses on the story of Jesus appearing to two disciples on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection. Pastor Steve explores the connections between suffering and glory, particularly how Jesus’ cross and throne are interconnected rather than opposite concepts. He draws parallels between three significant ‘suppers’ in Scripture: the Fall in Genesis, the Last Supper, and the meal at Emmaus, showing how Jesus reverses the consequences of the Fall through similar but redemptive actions.
Intro Prayer
Lord, as we gather to discuss Your Word, open our hearts and minds to understand the deep connections in Your story. Help us see how You work in both the grand narrative of Scripture and in our personal lives. Guide our discussion and reveal Your truth to us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What’s the most memorable meal you’ve ever shared with someone and why was it significant?
Key Verses
Luke 24:13-35
Luke 23:39-43
Genesis 3:6-7
Matthew 25:31-34
1 Corinthians 15:22
Questions
Why do you think the disciples didn’t recognize Jesus at first on the road to Emmaus?
How does Jesus’ willingness to walk with the discouraged disciples demonstrate His character?
What does it mean that Jesus is both ‘fully God and fully man’? How does this impact our understanding of Him?
How do you see the connection between suffering and glory in your own spiritual journey?
What parallels do you see between the three ‘suppers’ discussed in the sermon?
How does understanding Jesus as the ‘new Adam’ change your perspective on redemption?
In what ways do you sometimes miss Jesus walking beside you in your daily life?
How can we better recognize Jesus’ presence in our lives today?
Life Application
This week, practice intentionally looking for Jesus’ presence in your daily life. Each evening, reflect on where you saw Him working, whether in moments of difficulty or joy. Write down these instances and share them with someone in your life.
Key Takeaways
Jesus prioritizes being present with those who are discouraged and hopeless
The cross and throne of Jesus are connected, showing both His suffering and glory
Jesus reverses the consequences of the Fall through His redemptive actions
God’s story is intricately connected throughout Scripture, revealing His detailed plan for redemption
Jesus is never too busy to walk alongside us in our struggles
Ending Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your intricate plan of redemption and for Jesus who walks beside us even when we don’t recognize Him. Help us to see You more clearly in our daily lives and to remember that You are never too busy for us. Give us eyes to see and hearts to understand Your presence with us. 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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