The Columbia Partnership

Fresh Eyes of a Secret Visitor

By Norman Jameson at NJameson@TheColumbiaPartnership.org

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I once directed communications for a large non-profit that operated residential facilities across the state. When I hired a new associate, one of the first things she asked was, “Why is the dumpster on this campus not hidden behind a privacy screen of some kind? It is right out in the open and looks like an ugly campus feature.”

I hadn’t noticed – anymore.

I immediately realized my new asset was a fresh set of eyes and I asked her to write down everything she noticed that seemed odd, old or out of place as she lived and worked among these facilities.

The simple truth is that our eyes and psyches quickly accommodate things that jarred us earlier and we no longer see them. The peeling paint, weeds growing through parking pavement, odd smell in the basement classrooms, non-functioning light switches, cracked window panes, poor sound on the left side of the sanctuary, etc., all disappear beneath the cloak of familiarity.

The Disciple's Journey

By Ken Kessler at KKessler@TheColumbiaPartnership.org

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What comes first-- the chicken or the egg? It’s one of those lifelong questions that no one is sure how to answer.

Sometimes in the church world, a similar type of question is asked. What comes first – evangelism or discipleship? People argue about what is most important in Jesus’ commands. Some think that you must perform the evangelistic task in whatever form or fashion without much thought about discipleship. I remember a friend telling me that discipleship is not important as a task of the church. Share the good news, and God will take care of the rest.

Others think that Jesus’ commandment to make disciples in the Great Commission shows that the church should concentrate on the discipleship task and that evangelism will take care of itself. Again, I remember listening to church leaders say if you just live as a disciple, evangelism will follow.

We don’t live in an either/or world though; we live in both/and world. Our responsibility as communities of faith is living the mission of Jesus. Every day is a journey that brings new understandings and new opportunities. Jesus reminds us that he came to seek and save that which was lost. And anyone who follows him finds life-- abundant eternal life. The journey of abundant life is a life that calls for our complete obedience to the mission and call of Jesus.

The Five Critical Steps of Communicating Vision: Step One

By Bill Howard at BHoward@TheColumbiaPartnership.org. [Contact Bill for information about all five steps.]

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Have you wondered how successful pastors get their people to follow their lead?  Have you ever wanted to share a vision, but feared your congregation would vote it down? Successful vision casting is a skill every pastor and leader can learn.  Read on to discover the five Critical Steps of Communicating a Vision that will get a YES! from your congregation.

First, let me share with you two critical mistakes of vision casting.

Mistake One - Vision by Declaration

Vision by declaration is where the minister declares to the congregation what the Lord has said and what the church should do about it.

Will Your Congregation Still Exist Ten Years From Now Collection

George Bullard is in the middle of a five-week series he is posting on his Facebook Fan Page and his Blog at www.BullardJournal.org on Will Your Congregation Still Exist Ten Years from Now? that deals with the survivability, vitality, and vibrancy of your congregation.

This week articles 16-20 will be posted. He is writing a new article each weekday for five weeks on one of the 25 factors that may impact your survivability and vitality.

He is also going to make these articles and supplemental materials available for purchase as a collection in two different forms. One is Personal Edition for people who simply want a personal copy of the collection for their own learning. This edition is $35.00 and may be purchased at Personal Edition.

The other is the Presentation Edition for people who want to share it with others, make copies of one or all of the articles, and receive a PowerPoint presentation to use. This edition is $100.00 and may be purchased at Presentation Edition.

Keep reading to discover what is included with each edition.