How does God transform lives into reflections of His divine purpose? When the master artist Michelangelo came across a castaway slab of carara-white Italian marble, he didn’t see useless rock; he saw “David.”

By God's design, our life is assembled one piece at a time. Some pieces often seem incongruent to the whole. Let me assure you that order will eventually rise out of chaos, clarity out of confusion, and the troubling pieces will find their proper place in God's greater dream for your life.

How can we handle mean words and hostile criticism from the people we are called to lead and do so with grace? Here are 7 thoughts that may help you navigate this difficult and unwelcome rough patch in the leadership trail.

Why is prayer essential for the life and health of a local church? If prayer is de-emphasized, the heartbeat of the church slows to a critical level and eventually stops altogether. If a local church is to remain a vital, life-giving entity, it must have a healthy heart.

I am exhausted. Why and what do I do? Al Downey, our Pastoral Care Coordinator, shares some causes and cures for exhaustion in ministry.

What should a congregant be left with at the end of a sermon? Now is the time for us, as devoted kingdom leaders, to return to preaching and practicing some historical non-optional calls to ensure fruitful Church function in the next generation.

Have you ever felt ineffective, insipid, or a weakling trying to fill a strong person’s role? How do we face and overcome these emotions that threaten the effectiveness of our leadership when they spin out of control? Here are a few suggestions.

How does a church create safety for broken people so they can express their needs without fear? With authenticity and acceptance.

Medium-Sized Communities (MSC) are where you belong before you believe. They are safe step before a person chooses to become a part of a small group. MSCs are an environment where the unengaged get engaged in biblical community, the lost come to know Jesus, leaders are developed, lives are restored, care and prayer happens both in and outside of the groups, and both introverts and extroverts find community. It’s the “one anothers” being lived out.