Contributed by Tony Abram on Mar 30, 2008
In a big world, the small church has remained intimate. In a fast world, the small church has been steady. In an expensive world, the small church has remained plain. In a complex world, the small church has remained simple. In a rational world, the small church has kept feeling. In a mobile
...read more
based on 2 ratings
| 1,942 views
As a kid in a Baptist church, once a month after the morning service we had a fellowship hour. The congregation would immediately retire to the basement fellowship hall (there’s that word again), a room used for talking and eating for cookies and conversation. When you are twelve, you are most
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Pentecostal
Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Nov 30, 2004
based on 13 ratings
| 4,544 views
De-evangelizing the neighbourhood
I was at a conference a few years ago where they told the story of a church that looked as though they were really thriving: they had about 500 people attending, and had many outreach ministries reaching their community, and many people were coming to Christ and to
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
*other
Contributed by David Fox on Nov 12, 2001
based on 165 ratings
| 3,154 views
<<ILL>>
A 200-year-old church was being readied for an anniversary celebration when calamity struck: the bell ringer was called out of town.
The priest immediately advertised for another.
When the replacement arrived, the priest took him to the steps leading to the bell tower, some 150 feet
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Pentecostal
Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2008
based on 1 rating
| 4,321 views
CROWDED LONELINESS
At a recent small groups conference at Saddleback Church Randy Frazee spoke on the "call to community." He reported the average American family manages 35 separate relationships on a day-to-day basis--children, extended family, neighbors, government, school, friends, work,
...read more
Tags:
Contributed by Davon Huss on May 6, 2008
Being subjected to extended aloneness kills the spirit, introduces insanity, and destroys a person. Senator and former Vietnam POW John McCain describes the elation he experienced when he was reunited with fellow prisoners after a horribly long and brutal separation: "I was overwhelmed by the
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Christian/Church Of Christ
Contributed by Bret Toman on Jun 15, 2009
NOBODY KNEW HE WAS GONE
The rent hadn’t been paid, so the landlord came knocking. For years, the rent was paid automatically from the tenant’s bank account. But suddenly, there were no funds available and no response from the tenant. When he didn’t come to the door, the landlord let himself in to
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by Bret Toman on Jun 15, 2009
based on 1 rating
| 3,990 views
THE VALUE OF CONNECTING
Larry Crabb tells the story of a man he knew that attempted suicide. His injury was so severe that he should have died, but he recovered and sought out Dr. Crabb for therapy.
The two had been meeting together for some time. They covered a lot of ground. Dr. Crabb
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by Bret Toman on Jun 15, 2009
NEGLECT OF COMMUNITY
"If God designed the Church to function like a body with every member ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit to other members, in regular interpersonal relationship, then would it be surprising to find that the neglect of this regular interpersonal, spiritual ministry
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by Noel Atkinson on Jun 27, 2010
FAITH MAKES YOU HAPPIER AS YOU AGE, STUDY SHOWS
The Gerontological Society of America released an academic journal in February 1976 that shows as you get older, Christian faith makes you feel happier, more useful and more adjusted over time. In May 2007 the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by Bret Toman on Jan 3, 2011
RECOVERY IS CONNECTION
Henry Cloud in How People Grow writes, "Virtually every emotional and psychological problem, from addictions to depression, has alienation or emotional isolation at its core or close to it. Recovery from these problems involves helping people get more connected to each other
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Aug 24, 2005
based on 2 ratings
| 2,929 views
I saw it again this last summer - the small cathedral in Bethlehem that marks the birthplace of the Savior. Behind a high altar in the church is a cave, a little cavern lit by silver lamps. There are two entries for pilgrims. One is through the main church, allowing you to admire the grandeur of
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Pentecostal
Contributed by Bruce Ball on Aug 25, 2005
based on 3 ratings
| 3,703 views
A small church in Virginia needed to have a new roof in the worst of ways, but there was no money in their account. Most of the congregation was very poor except for the local banker. He was an ornery old cuss, and he would be the first in church so he could always sit in the back pew by the
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
*other
Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 15, 2005
based on 26 ratings
| 2,535 views
I was a supply preacher for a small town Texas Church, coming in early Sunday, preaching a sermon to the congregation, and then leaving after lunch. Arriving early one Sunday I sat down at a local donut shop, opened my Bible and went over my sermon notes.
A man was sitting down the counter from
...read more
Tags:
Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 15, 2005
based on 38 ratings
| 4,779 views
A small country church in Wisconsin has a special tradition that they have used at the close of their communion services for a number of years. It is adapted from an ancient Jewish closing of the Passover meal. Since it is the hope of every devout Jew to celebrate the Passover at least once in
...read more
Tags:
Sermon Central