Tag Archives: local church

Problems with Fun-Focused Youth Ministry

By caryschmidt | February 15, 2010

Is your youth ministry Bible-focused or fun-focused? It’s easy to focus more on making the youth group fun than on making it biblical. I’m all for having a good time with students in the right context, but we have a much higher calling. How easy it is to fall into the trap of spending more [...]

Posted in student ministry | Also tagged biblical living, ministry, student ministry, sunday school, teen life | 7 Comments

New Curriculum—Salt and Light!

By caryschmidt | January 28, 2010

Striving Together Publications is excited to announce the soon availability (Feb. 12) of this new adult curriculum from Dr. Mark Rasmussen! This 13 lesson series was over two years in development, and I’m extremely happy with the finished product. Dr. Rasmussen is one of the greatest Christian educators alive today, and you will find this [...]

Posted in books and resources | Also tagged biblical living, book review, striving together, sunday school, teaching | Leave a comment

New SL Podcast—By His Spirit

By caryschmidt | January 13, 2010

The January edition of the Spiritual Leadership Podcast has just posted!
Originally taught this past fall at our staff orientation, this lesson is entitled “By His Spirit.” In it, Pastor Chappell challenges you with what can be done if we will submit to the power of God.
The Spiritual Leadership podcast is a free resource from Striving [...]

Posted in books and resources | Also tagged leadership, ministry, podcast | Leave a comment

My Only Sanctuary

By caryschmidt | January 13, 2010

This past Sunday, my path intersected with a gracious man who has served the Lord in our church for many years. He’s been steadfast—even through much personal pain and many trials.
When asked “How are you doing today?” He promptly replied:
“I’d better be doing great! I’m at church! And this is my only sanctuary in life!”
With [...]

Posted in ministry & outreach | Also tagged ministry | Leave a comment

Thoughts on Effective Youth Ministry

By caryschmidt | November 19, 2009

A frequent question: What are some keys for effective youth ministry? While I’m certainly not the authority, here are a few thoughts that I’ve seen the Lord bless (not listed in any particular order)…
A Strong Local Church—Jesus died for the church. It is His divine authorized institution for His work on earth. A youth group [...]

Posted in student ministry | Also tagged college and career, ministry, student ministry, sunday school | 6 Comments

SL Podcast: Opening the Front Door

By Cary Schmidt | October 23, 2009

The audio file above is the newest Spiritual Leadership podcast from Pastor Paul Chappell.
This lesson is entitled “Opening the Front Door.” In this session, Pastor Chappell shares some biblical and practical insights on how to welcome more visitors into your church. The Spiritual Leadership podcast is a free resource from Striving Together Publications (a ministry [...]

Posted in leadership | Also tagged leadership, podcast, soulwinning | Leave a comment

Welcome, Guests—Meet Mystery Babylon

By caryschmidt | October 13, 2009

Breaking the church growth rules, the Bible works once again!
How would the seeker-sensitive, church growth experts and the leaders of the emergent church movement answer this question:
What passages would you not preach on when you have the most first time guests at your church?
Certainly, on that short list would be Revelation 17—The Great Whore of [...]

Posted in ministry & outreach | Also tagged ministry, soulwinning, teaching | Leave a comment

10 Highlights of LBC Open House!

By caryschmidt | October 11, 2009

Many of you have been praying for our annual Open House at Lancaster Baptist Church. Today was amazing, so I thought a quick report was in order. Here are the highlights:
1. The church family knocked on approximately 80,000 doors. What a delight it was to see church members going out soulwinning all week at various [...]

Posted in ministry & outreach | Also tagged ministry, soulwinning | 2 Comments

One Brave Little Girl!

By Cary Schmidt | October 1, 2009

For those of you who prayed for the Kehres family, a friend just emailed me this photo of Lynzie, the daughter that was the most seriously injured. As you can see, she’s doing well and God is answering prayer in a marvelous way!
Today is Lynzie’s 11th birthday! Just two days ago, she was in the [...]

Posted in family | Also tagged family | 7 Comments

Why Leaders Need More Communication

By Cary Schmidt | September 14, 2009

WARNING: Failure to communicate frequently and effectively will bring distrust, tension, and grief in any valuable relationship.
A large percentage of our problems in work, family, and ministry could be attributed to communication failures—either miscommunication or a lack of communication. Everybody has people in their lives with whom they should work at communicating more effectively and [...]

Posted in featured, leadership, productivity | Also tagged church staff, communication, leadership, ministry, team | Leave a comment

USATODAY Reports on the New NIV 2011

By caryschmidt | September 1, 2009

Revealing Words from NIV Translators Regarding Their Next Version

Thanks to Eric Johnson, Youth Pastor at Liberty Baptist Church in Newport Beach, CA for twittering the link to this article in USA Today. The article details the planned release of yet another NIV bible in 2011! The most amazing quote from the article was this:
“The scholars [...]

Posted in books and resources | Also tagged biblical living, books, striving together | 1 Comment

What’s a Podcast?

By caryschmidt | August 31, 2009

Introducing Our Ministry Podcasts and How to Use Them

When it comes to technology and helpful tools, I’ve decided to quit making assumptions. After all, there was a day when I asked this same question—what in the world is a podcast?? (If you are already familiar with the concept, you might want to skip down to [...]

Posted in books and resources, media & tech | Also tagged leadership, media & tech, striving together, technology | 2 Comments

Living on God’s Economy—A Great Resource!

By Cary Schmidt | August 14, 2009

This is a small book that every Christian should read!

This is a new book from Dr. Paul Chappell that was made available in July. Most of our announcements spotlighted other projects, but this one is well worth being noticed and used! Pastor Chappell did a marvelous job of taking many years of studying, teaching, and [...]

Posted in books and resources | Also tagged biblical living, book review, books | 1 Comment

A Must-Read Soulwinning Story

By Cary Schmidt | August 7, 2009

While on vacation with my family last week, I received this email. It powerfully encouraged my heart on many levels. I pray it will encourage you that soulwinning still works.
Dear Pastor Schmidt:
I just finished reading your book “done.”. I thought you might like to know how I came upon the book.

Posted in ministry & outreach | Also tagged books, soulwinning | 1 Comment

The Right Spirit Toward Spiritual Leaders

By Cary Schmidt | July 11, 2009

There are two very different attitudes towards spiritual leaders. Some Christians seemingly never see anything good, and in fact have given themselves over to criticism and fault-finding. While other Christians opt to be prayerfully and joyfully supportive and encouraging toward leaders. Which position have you taken in life? Just a couple of quick thoughts to [...]