Word on Fire Catholic Ministries’ Post

Church Leader: Is your congregation aware of the abundance in the persecuted church? Brother Andrew taught that in the suffering church, they have an abundance...an abundance of faith, Christian heroism, patience, and love—even for their tormentors. Despite facing persecution, these believers demonstrate the depth of Christ’s love in ways that challenge and inspire us. Many, through their love, have led their persecutors to Christ. What they don't have in abundance are things we often take for granted: Bibles, Christian resources, and freedom to worship openly. The question is, are we talking about this enough in our churches? Are we sharing their stories, praying for them, and learning from their faith? It's time we bridge the gap. Let’s remind our congregations that we have brothers and sisters suffering for the Gospel, and they have much to teach us. How is your church learning from our persecuted family? #PersecutedChurch #FaithInAction #PastoralLeadership #ChristianUnity #OpenDoors

Pastors face numerous challenges today—loneliness, stress, dealing with bullies in the church, long hours, low pay, and increasing prejudice against Christianity. However, the most persistent problem is how to turn a church in decline into a congregation focused on making disciples of Jesus Christ. The Growing Church Network addresses this issue head-on. Before COVID, 85% of churches in the US were either in decline or stuck on a plateau. Sustainable church growth is both an art and a science. It's about building relationships and creating bridges into the Kingdom of God. Growing a church is simple, but it’s not easy. That’s why the Growing Church Network is so essential. If you're interested in knowing more about how to effectively grow your church, check out what the Growing Church Network offers. https://lnkd.in/e_rpvjv5 #effectivechurch #churchgrowth #pastors #church #discipleship #faithjourney

Confessions of this Pastor:(part 1) When I started pastoring in late 2007, I had lofty and noble dreams! My dreams were to build the church, including reaching scores of people, then hundreds, thousands, and even tens of thousands. Also, to sponsor programs that reach the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. For the first 10 years, people, programs, personnel, and profits all grew, BUT with some peril…I was building the church (promotion after promotion, program after program, performance after performance, production after production). What I was doing wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t God’s best. Over time, as I was building the church, I realized my goals were not completely Jesus’s. His instructions were to go and make disciples. I was not making disciples who made other disciples. I was building fans, but not true followers of Jesus. The way we were “doing church” vs. “being the church” was burning others out and myself. In addition, I was enabling rather than equipping the saints. I enabled the saints by keeping them dependent on the institution and me as the pastor. Unwittingly and subconsciously, I was also feeding a desire to be needed. The saints were growing –in their dependency on me but not in their dependency on Christ. And fast forward —there was growth outwardly but little depth inwardly. There was some personal and individual growth but little if any spiritual reproduction and multiplication. This growth method does not reach the masses and certainly does little to fulfill the Great Commission. 

Pastors face numerous challenges today—loneliness, stress, dealing with bullies in the church, long hours, low pay, and increasing prejudice against Christianity. However, the most persistent problem is how to turn a church in decline into a congregation focused on making disciples of Jesus Christ. The Growing Church Network addresses this issue head-on. Before COVID, 85% of churches in the US were either in decline or stuck on a plateau. Sustainable church growth is both an art and a science. It's about building relationships and creating bridges into the Kingdom of God. Growing a church is simple, but it’s not easy. That’s why the Growing Church Network is so essential. If you're interested in knowing more about how to effectively grow your church, check out what the Growing Church Network offers. https://lnkd.in/eH4-RcVP #effectivechurch #churchgrowth #pastors #church #discipleship #faithjourney

A #GOODEXAMPLEOFA #CHURCH: #LESSONSFOR #TODAY’S #CHURCH 1. #UNITYANDSHARING Believers in Acts 2 demonstrated remarkable unity by sharing their possessions and ensuring there were no poor among them. Today’s church can reflect this by creating support systems that uplift the vulnerable, emphasizing the biblical call to care for one another. 2. #DAILYWORSHIPAND #FELLOWSHIP The early church worshiped daily, breaking bread in their homes with joy and sincerity. Modern churches should prioritize consistent communal worship and foster close-knit fellowship, building a stronger sense of belonging and spiritual growth. 3. #WONDERSANDPRAISE Through the apostles' works and communal worship, God’s power was displayed through wonders and miracles. Churches today should cultivate environments where God’s presence is felt, inspiring faith and renewal among believers. 4. #ATTRACTINGTHEWORLD #THROUGHLOVE The love and compassion of the early church gained them favor with others. Churches today must shine as examples of Christ’s love, demonstrating care for all, especially the marginalized, and becoming centers of hope and transformation.

*WHAT - is “worldview”?   *SO WHAT - does that have to do with my faith? Or how I disciple Christ -followers? Or how I lead my ministry?   *NOW WHAT ...? #Church #Ministry #Pastor #Theology #Worldview

🎁Give to your friends the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist! See https://lnkd.in/eQ5q-dj3. This easy-to-understand study guide explains in ordinary language how to understand the very important Church document, Ecclesia de Eucharistia (The Church of the Eucharist) an encyclical by Pope Saint John Paul II. You’ll be able to apply it to your everyday life in today’s world. You’ll discover how to develop a more personal relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist. You’ll learn why Catholicism teaches that the Eucharist as the “source and summit of the Christian life.” You’ll find out—with clarity—what Catholics believe and do not believe about the Eucharist. And you’ll gain a deep appreciation for the reason why only Catholic priests can consecrate the communion elements alongside the important role you have, with the whole community, in the Eucharistic celebration.

Worship spaces speak volumes about what we value in faith. Reflecting on my own journey, I’ve realized how these spaces shape our beliefs. What does your church’s design say about its focus? Explore my latest article and join the conversation. What’s truly at the heart of your worship? #WorshipSpaces #FaithJourney #SpiritualLeadership #ChurchDesign #ValuesInFaith #christianity #theology

🎁Give to your friends the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist! This easy-to-understand study guide explains in ordinary language how to understand the very important Church document, Ecclesia de Eucharistia (The Church of the Eucharist) an encyclical by Pope Saint John Paul II. You’ll be able to apply it to your everyday life in today’s world. You’ll discover how to develop a more personal relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist. You’ll learn why Catholicism teaches that the Eucharist as the “source and summit of the Christian life.” You’ll find out—with clarity—what Catholics believe and do not believe about the Eucharist. And you’ll gain a deep appreciation for the reason why only Catholic priests can consecrate the communion elements alongside the important role you have, with the whole community, in the Eucharistic celebration. Now more than ever Catholics need access to clear teaching on the TRUTH about the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Visit https://lnkd.in/eQ5q-dj3

🎁Give to your friends the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist! This easy-to-understand study guide explains in ordinary language how to understand the very important Church document, Ecclesia de Eucharistia (The Church of the Eucharist) an encyclical by Pope Saint John Paul II. You’ll be able to apply it to your everyday life in today’s world. You’ll discover how to develop a more personal relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist. You’ll learn why Catholicism teaches that the Eucharist as the “source and summit of the Christian life.” You’ll find out—with clarity—what Catholics believe and do not believe about the Eucharist. And you’ll gain a deep appreciation for the reason why only Catholic priests can consecrate the communion elements alongside the important role you have, with the whole community, in the Eucharistic celebration. Now more than ever Catholics need access to clear teaching on the TRUTH about the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Visit https://lnkd.in/eQ5q-dj3