First Time Obedience
What if Christ-followers, those redeemed by His blood and bearing His name, practiced first-time obedience to our heavenly Father? What if we stopped resisting Jesus’ mandate to heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead? What if we gave no credence to our own inexperience, qualifications, comfort zones, or reputations in favour of simply following His instructions to the letter—immediately? I believe we would begin to see His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
by Jan de Chambrier
MICN Prayer Ambassador
Read the whole article Here
Long before I became an IC pastor, my marriage and ministry were unexpectedly saved by an IC. We had never been to an IC before, but we felt the need to connect with God in an English-speaking church service – something we had not had access to for a long time. During the service, we were suddenly covered with an amazing healing balm. Neither the pastor, worship team, or any church members had any idea what an impact they had on us that day. And although I had never been to an IC before this, I instantly became aware of how important it is to offer a place of worship for expats in foreign lands.
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Why I Am Not Leaving The Ministry Or The Church
If you read various articles from a variety of different news services, you might have noticed a recent trend. Christian leaders and pastors have decided to leave the ministry. Statistics indicate the rate of pastors and leaders leaving the ministry is unusually high. For some this is simply resigning from the church where they are serving and for others it seems stepping away or distancing themselves from the Christian faith. As someone who has now been in full-time ministry for over 30 years, most of those years as the Senior Pastor, I am aware of the unique pressures we are facing today. And I have had those moments when I wondered if it was worth it. And yet, I still believe there are many reasons not to give up.
In the spirit of the comedian and former host of the Late Show, David Letterman, here are my Top 10 Reasons Why I Am Not Leaving The Ministry Or The Church
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Guidance for IC Search Committees
Over the past twenty years I have assisted numerous international churches when they were looking for a new Senior Pastor. Professionally I am an executive recruiter primarily serving North American evangelical organizations but having met my wife in an international church in Sao Paulo when I was an expat and she was with Wycliffe I understand what makes international churches so special. My assistance is pro bono…just glad to be helping the Lord’s work.
Read the article Here
Profile for an effective International Church Leader – Part 1
We often talk of the right fit. A church leader may fit well into one church but not in another: there are plenty of examples of good leaders doing well in the home church but then struggling in the very different world of an international church (IC). How do you discern how well you might fit in an IC, how can an IC decide if a potential leader will be a good fit: these are the issues addressed in this exploration of the best of qualities for effective leaders in international churches (ICs). In our world of ever-growing diversity, and the tsunami of changes and issues flooding the agendas of church leaders, these 13 qualities keep on increasing in importance.
Read Part 1 Here
Profile for an effective International Church Leader – Part 2 –
Where Do You Think You Are Going?
What do you think you are doing? Are you sure that you are leading your international church (IC) toward God’s vision for the church? Is your mission well-aligned with, and incorporated into, God’s mission? What is God’s mission for the nation in which the IC is located?
If you are part of a selection committee for a new pastor or another leader, what criteria will you be looking for in recruiting a pastor to work with God in His mission and building up of the church in God’s way?
Read Part 2 Here
Profile for an effective International Church Leader – Part 3 –
Know Yourself Well, or Else!
No matter where you go, you take yourself, your whole self, with you! You can never get away from all you are, the good the bad, and the ugly. Every IC pastor and leader brings inner strengths, weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and personal history that must be honestly understood and addressed. The less you know about yourself, the more your ministry will be shaped in unhelpful ways. And probably, you may not even see it… but others will!
Read Part 3 Here
Profile for an effective International Church Leader – Part 4 –
Open Your Eyes! There Is More To See Than You Realize, And It matters!
Keep your eyes, your ears, and your mind open! Effective IC ministry has much to do with how the leaders understand the complex realities before them. A distorted understanding of the church and its people, and the context in which the church lives and serves God, and the result is distorted applications in every sermon and Bible study.
Read Part 4 Here
