Asking the right questions

Churches can often feel stuck when they ask the wrong questions. Naturally prone to replicate, copy, or model church programs or ideas that are deemed “successful,” churches are prompted to focus on asking the “How?” questions because they are easy to ask. One of my favorite podcasts is called “How I Built This” from NPR.…

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Stranger evangelism versus Friendship evangelism

The Bible seems to suggest that personal evangelism is more about making yourselves available than it is about manufacturing moments. Believers are encouraged to be prepared to provide an answer for the hope we have in Christ to “anybody who asks”. (1 Peter 3:15) The emphasis in this verse is on being prepared and God…

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Defining Success

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”  (Proverbs 16:3) I cleaned out my office during Christmas break. Books were re-arranged. Folders were reorganized. Shelves were dusted. Inside my closet required a purge. Notebooks bursting with old notes, training materials, office supplies and various odds and ends were bit of a…

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Gaining an Audience to Hear the Word

I wonder if Peter thought Jesus was crazy. An experienced fisherman, he knew where and when fish were most likely to be caught. When Jesus told him to go back into the deep waters and throw the net out, it was probably the stupidest idea he had ever heard. Worn out and exhausted from a…

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Proclaiming the gospel in Nampa ID

Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Boise, Idaho recently celebrated its twenty-fifty anniversary. The Lord is blessing the gospel ministry and give thanks to him for almost six hundred baptized members. The WELS Board of Home Missions is providing support to help Cross of Christ begin a second site. With explosive growth in the Treasure…

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Proclaiming the gospel in Glendale AZ

Arizona is pleasant place to visit in November. With temperatures in the lower 80’s, the warm dry air feels comfortable to the bones to those travelling from colder climates. Praise and Proclaim gives thanks to God for travelling to Glendale and partner with Grace Lutheran Church. With a wonderful mixture of old and new, Grace…

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A Christian response to the possibility of alien life

A Christian response to the possibility of alien life The U.S. government recently admitted that they have commissioning studies about the existence of UFO’s and alien life. The U.S. military have studied first-hand reports from Navy pilots and seen the videos. They admit that the flying objects are a mystery. The cable TV channels continually…

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Proclaiming the gospel in La Porte IN

Threatening weather forecasts casted doubt on whether faithful members from Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church were going to be able to plant gospel seeds on Saturday. We prayed for a window of opportunity and the Lord granted our request. Praise and Proclaim had the privilege to travel to La Porte, IN on October 25-26 to launch…

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Proclaiming the gospel in Richland Center WI

The dual congregations at Trinity Lutheran in Lime Ridge, WI and St. John Lutheran in Hillpoint have shared a pastor. With an aging membership, they were aware that it was going to be challenging to continue their gospel ministry. With less young families living in the area and the future job prospects slim, both congregations…

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