If Flannel Graphs are out, What do you use for visuals in Children's ministry?

It’s a simple question. What do you use as visual aids for children? Perhaps you just hand out photo copies. Maybe each youth is equipped with an ipad or smart phone. Maybe you use power point and a projector. Or perhaps you skip the visual all together. Any comments or suggestions?

Discussion

Reading Scripture Aloud with Animation

Written for The Body Builder, a publication of Highland Park Church.

Today’s article seeks to help us better implement 1 Timothy 4:13, “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” (ESV).

One goal of a pastor-teacher is to train believers to better serve our Lord (Ephesians 4:12-16). In my view, one characteristic of a good church is one in which most people are active in some form of ministry. Whether engaging in acts of hospitality and love (like taking meals to a new mom or contributing to funeral dinners) or ushering or youth work or special music or running the video projector or teaching—or salting the ice—we all need to serve. One way many of us can contribute to the Body is by reading the Word aloud.

Discussion

Sermon Upload

Anybody got a recommendation for software/hardware for simple, efficient, high quality recording/editing/uploading of sermons to a church website? What do you like and why?

Thanks,

Doug

Discussion

A Question for Baptists: How Important is the Name?

These are honest questions:

If an independent Baptist Church drops Baptist from its name but maintains the same doctrine and practice, would it be considered a Baptist church?

In ________ Baptist Church all decisions are made by the pastor with no opposition tolerated; would it be considered a Baptist church?

If a Baptist church has multiple elders, is it a Baptist church?

Finally, would you have close and co-operating fellowship with any or all of these churches?

Discussion

3 Major Trends in Sermon Length

Body

“1. The most frequent preaching length is 20 to 28 minutes… fastest growing segment…
2. The second most frequent length is 45 to 55 minutes… diminishing…
3. The third most frequent length is one of no time constraints… [small % but holding steady]” CPost

Discussion