All Posts (1583)

Sort by

Exploring Your Hub

How to Explore a Ministry Hub

1. CHOOSE

Why did you come here today?

Choose the Hub that best matches your:

  • Ministry focus
  • Concern
  • Challenge
  • Question
  • Calling
  • Role

Don't try to explore everything.

Start where the Holy Spirit has your attention.


2. SURVEY

Before clicking links, skim the Hub.

Notice:

  • Featured Starting Points
  • Forum Discussions
  • Leader Labs
  • Interviews
  • Books & Resources
  • Related Big Questions

Ask:

Where should I begin?


3. DIG

Choose one resource.

Not five.

Read slowly.

Pray often.

Take notes.

Discuss.


4. DISCERN

Use the simple grid.

WHAT? SO WHAT? NOW WHAT?
What did I discover? Why does it matter? What faithful step should I take?

5. SHARE

Who else needs this conversation?

  • Pastor
  • Staff
  • Leadership Team
  • Ministry Team
  • Small Group
  • Friend

6. EXPLORE FURTHER

Return to the Hub to evaluate your progress. Each hub is different/distinct but this template fits them all:

READ

What?

PLEAD

Pray before concluding.

HEED

What is God asking me to believe, rethink, or do?

SEED

Who should join this conversation?

PROCEED

What's my next faithful step?

 

When you are ready:

  • Choose another resource
  • Engage another hub
  • Follow one of the related Big Questions.

 

 

Read more…

31189137271?profile=RESIZE_584x

#ReExamineSCRIPTURE

Letting Scripture Examine Our Assumptions

 

Are you willing to let Scripture examine what you believe, assume, teach, practice, and protect?

Scripture is not merely a source for sermon texts, doctrinal statements, inspirational quotes, or proof-points for what we already believe.

Scripture is God’s Word that reads us as we read it.

It confronts assumptions. It renews the mind. It corrects inherited patterns. It exposes cultural distortions. It calls the Church back to Christ, obedience, love, holiness, justice, mercy, mission, and truth.

Yet churches and leaders can quote Scripture while still allowing tradition, preference, ideology, fear, pragmatism, or institutional habit to shape how Scripture is interpreted and applied.

So we must ask:

  • Are we allowing Scripture to examine us, or only using Scripture to support us?
  • Are we reading the Bible through Christ, or filtering Christ through our systems?
  • Are we interpreting faithfully, humbly, and communally?
  • Are we willing to reexamine familiar passages?
  • Are our applications producing obedience, love, justice, mercy, mission, and Christlikeness?
  • Are we confusing biblical conviction with cultural projection?
  • Are we willing to unlearn what Scripture exposes and relearn what Scripture reveals?

This pathway gathers resources for pastors, Bible teachers, preachers, disciplemakers, small group leaders, ministry teams, and thoughtful Christ-followers who want Scripture to do more than inform ministry. We want Scripture to examine and reform ministry.

Explore: Scripture — #ReExamineSCRIPTURE

 

Why #ReExamineSCRIPTURE?

We do not reexamine Scripture because Scripture is unreliable.

We reexamine Scripture because we are not always reliable readers.

We bring assumptions to the text. We inherit traditions. We absorb cultural expectations. We protect favorite interpretations. We sometimes read quickly, selectively, defensively, or predictably.

To #ReExamineSCRIPTURE is to return to the Bible with humility, repentance, attentiveness, and courage.

It is to ask whether our understanding, teaching, application, and ministry practice are being shaped by the whole counsel of God or by familiar fragments we have learned to manage.

#ReExamineSCRIPTURE asks:

  • What have we assumed the text says?
  • What does the text actually say?
  • What does the text reveal about God, Christ, the Spirit, humanity, sin, salvation, the Church, and mission?
  • What does this passage confront in us?
  • What does this passage call us to obey?
  • What have we missed because of tradition, fear, culture, or habit?
  • What needs to be taught, corrected, recovered, or reimagined?

Explore: Untangle Original Intent

 

Begin by ReCentering Christ

Scripture leads us to Christ.

Not merely Christ as one theme among many.

Not merely Christ as a conclusion after we have made our point.

Not merely Christ as a name attached to our preferred interpretation.

Scripture reveals Christ, forms us in Christ, and sends us in the way of Christ.

Before reexamining a passage, a doctrine, a practice, or a ministry assumption, recenter Christ.

Ask:

  • Is Christ praised in how we read and teach Scripture?
  • Is Christ presiding over our interpretation and application?
  • Is Christ preceding us into obedience and mission through this text?
  • Is Christ present in the way we discuss, disagree, teach, preach, and apply Scripture?
  • Are we using Scripture to win arguments, or allowing Scripture to form us into the likeness of Jesus?

Explore: #ReCenterCHRIST

 

Choose a Scripture Pathway

1. Biblical Authority

Are you asking how Scripture should function as authority over belief, practice, ministry, and mission?

Explore this pathway if your focus is:

  • biblical trust
  • the authority of Scripture
  • Scripture over tradition, ideology, and preference
  • obedience to the Word
  • humility before the text
  • teaching and preaching with faithfulness
  • letting Scripture correct the Church

Begin here if you want the Bible to examine ministry assumptions rather than merely decorate ministry activity.

Explore: Scripture — #ReExamineSCRIPTURE

 

2. Biblical Interpretation

Are you asking how to read, study, teach, and apply Scripture more faithfully?

Explore this pathway if your focus is:

  • observation, interpretation, and application
  • context before content
  • literary and historical awareness
  • genre and storyline
  • avoiding proof-texting
  • asking better questions of the text
  • moving from explanation to obedience

Begin here if you want Scripture to be handled with humility, care, and courage.

Explore: Guest-Post: When You #ReExamine Scripture, Accurate Application Is Crucial

 

3. Biblical Worldview

Are you asking how Scripture reshapes the way we see God, people, culture, ministry, mission, and the Church?

Explore this pathway if your focus is:

  • worldview formation
  • renewing the mind
  • discipleship of imagination
  • biblical categories for life and ministry
  • assumptions beneath beliefs
  • cultural habits that shape interpretation
  • seeing through Scripture rather than preference

Begin here if you want Scripture to shape not only what people know, but how they see, think, live, love, and obey.

Explore: Biblical Worldview / Reconstructing a Biblical Worldview

 

4. Reexamining Familiar Passages

Are you willing to revisit passages you may have simplified, assumed, or inherited too quickly?

Explore this pathway if your focus is:

  • familiar texts
  • misread passages
  • overused verses
  • under-examined contexts
  • sermon assumptions
  • ministry slogans
  • texts that challenge our categories

Begin here if you suspect a familiar passage may have more to say than your usual interpretation has allowed.

Explore: Text. Context. Pretext.

Explore:  #ReExamineSCRIPTURE: John 10:10

 

5. Scripture and Discipleship

Are you asking how Scripture forms people into followers of Jesus rather than merely informing church participants?

Explore this pathway if your focus is:

  • biblical formation
  • obedience to Jesus
  • discipleship of the mind and life
  • Scripture in homes, groups, and daily practices
  • teaching for transformation
  • equipping the saints
  • forming Christlike people

Begin here if you believe discipleship must be Scripture-formed, Christ-centered, and obedience-oriented.

Explore: Discipleship — #ReThinkDISCIPLESHIP

https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics/reimaginescripture-text-context-pretext

 

6. Scripture and Church Practice

Are you asking whether your church structures, habits, programs, and leadership patterns are actually being shaped by Scripture?

Explore this pathway if your focus is:

  • church practices
  • ministry systems
  • worship, fellowship, discipleship, stewardship, and mission
  • leadership and authority
  • program assumptions
  • congregational culture
  • the difference between biblical faithfulness and familiar church habit

Begin here if you want Scripture to examine what your church protects, repeats, measures, and assumes.

Explore: Church — #ReSetCHURCH

 

7. Scripture and Mission

Are you asking how Scripture sends the Church into gospel witness, compassion, justice, cities, and everyday mission?

Explore this pathway if your focus is:

  • biblical mission
  • gospel witness
  • kingdom language
  • compassion and justice
  • community engagement
  • evangelism shaped by Scripture
  • mission shaped by the way of Jesus

Begin here if you believe Scripture should not only be studied in the Church but embodied through the Church in the world.

Explore: ReformatEVANGELISM

 

Use This With Your Team

This hub can help pastors, Bible teachers, preachers, elders, boards, small group leaders, disciplemakers, ministry leaders, and congregations ask:

  • What does Scripture actually say?
  • What have we assumed it says?
  • Where have we confused interpretation with tradition?
  • Where have we confused biblical conviction with cultural habit?
  • What familiar passage needs fresh examination?
  • What ministry practice needs to be reexamined by Scripture?
  • What assumption beneath our teaching, preaching, or planning needs to be named?
  • What would change if Scripture examined us before we explained Scripture to others?
  • How can this text lead us into obedience, formation, mission, and Christlikeness?

A simple team process:

                  Read: Choose one Scripture resource.

                  Plead: Pray for humility, discernment, courage, and obedience.

                  Heed: Ask what the Spirit may be showing you about your assumptions, interpretations, applications, and ministry culture.

                  Seed: Decide how this insight should be shared, taught, preached, discussed, or planted in your ministry life.

                  Proceed: Identify one next step of obedience, then assign who will do what, when, and with whom.

Move From Proof-Texting to Scripture-Shaped Ministry

Do not begin by asking only: What verse supports what we already want to say?

Ask deeper questions:

  • What is the text saying in context?
  • What does this reveal about God and His purposes?
  • How does this lead us to Christ?
  • What does this confront in our assumptions?
  • What needs to be unlearned?
  • What needs to be recovered?
  • What obedience does this require?
  • What ministry habit must change because of this text?
  • What should be taught, preached, discussed, or practiced next?

Scripture-shaped ministry is not built by quotation alone.

It grows as leaders submit to Scripture, teach with humility, apply with courage, listen with others, and act in obedience.

The goal is not merely to know more Bible.

The goal is to be formed by the Word into people who live the way of Jesus.

Go Deeper / Further

Continue this pathway through:

Scripture — #ReExamineSCRIPTURE

#ReExamineSCRIPTURE: John 10:10

Biblical Worldview / Reconstructing a Biblical Worldview

Discipleship — #ReThinkDISCIPLESHIP

Gospel Spectrum / This Gospel

#ReCenterCHRIST

Leadership Formation & Learning

Forums & Conversations

Featured Collections

Ministry Hubs Index

Curator’s Note

Scripture is not one ministry category among many.

It is the God-given authority that examines every category.

> Scripture reshapes prayer.

> Scripture reforms discipleship.

> Scripture clarifies the gospel.

> Scripture corrects church practice.

> Scripture sends us into mission.

> Scripture renews the mind.

>Scripture forms the people of God in the way of Jesus.

#ReExamineSCRIPTURE is an invitation to

read again, listen again, repent again, obey again, and teach again with Christ at the center

 

Find your question.
     Ask. Seek. Knock.
          ReCenter Christ.
               ... Then reimagine the way forward.

____________________

The Reimagine.Network

Serves pastors, prayer champions, evangelism catalysts, disciplemakers, church planters

{Permission granted to post, print, project, promote with attribution}

Access and content are free. *  Contributions are welcomed @ PrayerINC.org  *  Help us reach more "reimagineers!"

Read more…

Your Journey Begins ... Here

Your Journey Begins.

Here.

 

31189018860?profile=RESIZE_710x

 

Where do I begin when everything around me is being challenged? When everyone seems to be looking for changes?

 

  • Welcome to The Reimagine.Network—a resource reservoir for pastors, ministry leaders, and thoughtful Christ-followers who sense that the Church does not merely need more activity, but deeper discernment.

 

  • We are here to review, renew, and reimagine how we think about faith in Christ—and how that faith reshapes prayer, discipleship, evangelism, church, mission, leadership, compassion, and everyday ministry.

 

Why reimagine?

Because we do not want to confuse tradition with transformation.

     Because we do not want to keep improving programs while neglecting the renewal of our minds.

Because Christ is not merely one topic among many. He is the center.

     Because the right solution is often birthed by the right question.

Because Romans 12:2 calls us to resist being shaped by the patterns of this world and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

 

So we ask: If Christ is the Answer… what is the question?

 

What are we reimagining?

Not the Gospel.

We are reimagining how we think about discipleship, prayer, evangelism, church, leadership, compassion, mission, unity, culture, and the future of ministry.

 

We are not looking for quick fixes.

We are not beginning with programming.

 

We are asking God for faith to dream, courage to act, and humility to unlearn whatever must be unlearned.

 

Where should I begin?

Start with the ministry area that best matches your current focus, concern, question, or calling.

Then, explore our Ministry Hubs—guided exploration centers that connect you with carefully curated discussions, Leader Labs, interviews, templates, podcasts, books, and practical ministry resources.

Explore the Ministry Hubs

IN PROCESS:Explore the BIG Questions

 

What will I find here?

Each "Ministry Hub" explores one of our "Big Questions" through carefully curated resources, conversations, and practical next steps, including:

  • This Big Question
  • Why This Question Matters
  • Related Thought-Provoking Guest Posts
  • Pertinent Forum Discussions
  • Corresponding Leader Labs & Mini-Courses
  • Relevant Interviews
  • Recommended Templates · Formats · Podcasts · Books
  • Discussion Questions
  • Related Big Questions
  • From Insight to Action

 

Our invitation

The goal is not simply to browse more content.

Our hope is that you will follow a pathway:

  • from concern to question,
  • from question to reflection,
  • from reflection to conversation,
  • from conversation to Spirit-led, Scripture-fed action...
  • because lasting ministry renewal begins with transformed thinking.

So begin here.

  1.      Identify your question.
  2.      Follow the pathway.
  3.      ReCenter Christ.
  4.        Always review with a mind-set to renew.

Then continue to reimagine the way forward.

 

___________________________________________________________________________________

The Reimagine.Network

Serves pastors, prayer champions, evangelism catalysts, disciplemakers, church planters

{Permission granted to post, print, project, promote with attribution}

Access and content are free. *  Contributions are welcomed @ PrayerINC.org  *  Help us reach more "reimagineers!"

Read more…

Is Your Church Known for What It’s Against?

A definition of hypocrisy is expressing preferences or opinions on a social issue, yet not acting to address the root cause when it’s within their power.  Churches and Christians are uniquely positioned and commissioned to resolve the following issues, but typically prefer (religious-sounding) words over (biblically-based) actions…

1. Against Abortion

The main concern for women considering abortion is their (in)ability to provide for a child.  It’s inconsistent at best (and hypocritical at worst) for churches and Christians to speak out against abortion without addressing its root cause, particularly since they’re best positioned to do so.  A church “family” is ideally suited to provide support networks for women who fear no one will be there to help them navigate the challenging, yet joyful, road ahead.  When Christian activists argue for preborn viability without doing what’s necessary for women to choose life for their unborn child, we’re not modeling the love of Jesus to a world desperately seeking the hope only He can provide.  Now is the time for the Christian community to stand behind our commitment to the sanctity of human life, each preborn’s immeasurable value from the moment of conception, and the flourishing of every child.

2. Against Expanding Welfare Programs

Individuals experiencing poverty are not as vulnerable as an unborn child but are likewise made in God’s image – and therefore imbued with tremendous worth.  Jesus’ mission and model – even His identity – prioritized the materially poor.  He saw them as deserving of His attention, protection, and preservation.  Churches throughout history followed Jesus’ example but have since ceded the lead role in poverty alleviation to government and parachurches.  Yet Christians haven’t become commensurately less vocal about reducing welfare funding.  In other words, if churches aren’t prepared to resume their biblical responsibility on the “front line”, they shouldn’t argue for cutting public welfare programs.  Most Christians rightfully recognize the capabilities and strengths of those experiencing poverty and therefore advocate for work requirements.  So now is the time for the Christian community to not only support families who lose benefits but also provide jobs (economic mobility) to foster self-sustainability.

3. Against Progressivism

Most churches and Christians combat progressivism in ways that promote it by misunderstanding its source.  We’re all aware that ideology defines “progress” as removal of Christian influence from our culture, but we incorrectly associate it with politics, parties, and policies.  Therefore, we protest, lobby, and vote against the “opposition” – leading to the division we see in America.  What we don’t understand is that “progressive” is a worldview rooted in the mistaken belief that human nature is inherently good.  The only explanation for holding a non-biblical position on every issue is their adoption of a fundamentally flawed premise.  If human nature isn’t evil then we don’t need police, borders, abortion restrictions, genders – or Jesus.  In that case, sin is irrelevant and virtue is doing whatever is best for oneself.  Now is the time for the Christian community to Drop The Stone, bridging divides by performing acts of kindness to shine a brighter light on the depravity of mankind and our need for Jesus.

4. Against Limits on Prayer

Americans possess the increasingly rare privilege of praying publicly without restraint in the public square.  Churches and Christians lament the presumed ban on prayer in public schools, but prayer can be offered and endorsed (although not forced) there now.  However, even voluntary prayer, if it’s in the name of Jesus, is banned in certain venues in many other countries around the world, and not just those predominantly Muslim or Hindu.  For example, in some Western European and Scandinavian nations, anyone praying inside a “buffer zone” of an abortion clinic can be arrested or fined.  More restrictive governments and terror groups impose even harsher penalties (e.g. death) for prayer – private or public.  Now is the time for the Christian community to value and take full advantage of the fragile right to pray at every available opportunity.

5. Against Restrictions on Evangelism

We’re also free in America to talk about Jesus.  Yet only 52% of born-again believers have witnessed to someone at least once in the past year and 95% have never led someone to Christ.  Equally concerning is the fact that over half see their faith as “private”.  Those numbers would look dramatically different if churchgoers were confident in their ability to speak openly about what they believe no matter what rebuttals came their way.  We’re seeing a revival among our youth, particularly Gen Z men, who are eager to share their newfound faith.  However, churches aren’t providing them the apologetics training needed to convince and captivate the skeptics and cynics of their generation.  Now is the time for the Christian community to fill that critical gap – so Meet The Need is building a Personal Apologist app with Apologetics, Inc. to teach believers how to respond to the typical questions non-Christians ask.

6. Against Persecution

Over 360 million Christians worldwide today suffer high levels of persecution.  Yet the American Church’s silence on persecution is deafening.  How must our persecuted brothers and sisters feel, given the vast resources we possess, when we direct less than 1% of our giving to help them?   Most collections taken up for the poor in the New Testament were for the persecuted.  Their poverty stemmed from a common form of oppression – the inability to work to earn income or denial of assistance.  Ironically, ignoring persecution abroad may accelerate its arrival here.  Advocating and contributing more for the persecuted would awaken fellow believers to the dangers awaiting us one day – and possibly convince legislators to invoke economic, political, or diplomatic measures against persecuting nations.  Now is the time for the Christian community to unite with those imprisoned for what we do here with impunity.

7. Against Open Borders

Christians are foreigners and exiles on the earth, much like persecuted believers who are unwelcomed in countries hostile to our faith.  So we should be empathetic with immigrants already in our nation, even if they’re here illegally.  We send missionaries around the world but the world is coming to our shores – so it’s never been easier to take the Gospel to the nations.  Non-believers advocating for open borders may have ulterior motives, but they have reason to criticize Christians if we’re anti-immigration and pro-deportation without taking care of those who are already here.  At the same time, it can be argued that the Old Testament warns Israel repeatedly against open borders.  Those in favor of mass immigration typically believe human nature is good, not concerned about who or what may be crossing the border.  Now is the time for the Christian community to balance compassion with preserving our nation’s heritage.

8. Against Defunding the Police

Christ-followers see the need for law enforcement because we recognize the inclination of humans toward sin, particularly in the absence of accountability.  One’s views on the need for police presence depends on our trust in citizens not to commit crimes.  Similarly, opinions on military spending hinge on beliefs about the necessity of strength to deter aggression.  Voicing our viewpoints won’t turn the tide of a culture that calls evil good and good evil.  Churches and Christians must begin with the recommendations in this blog post – ending hypocrisy within the church.  Now is the time for the Christian community to address our own immorality.  It’s not our place to judge those outside the church.  Our sole concern should be their eternal destiny.

9. Against the Breakdown of the Family

Fatherlessness is a national epidemic, with the highest proportion of single-parent households in the world – three times the global average.  Of the approximately 24,000 adolescents aging out of the foster care system each year in America:

  • 20% experience homelessness soon thereafter, without any family connections
  • 75% of women receive government benefits and 70% become pregnant by 21
  • 27% of male former foster youth are incarcerated within 2 years
  • Far more likely to experience mental health and substance abuse challenges

Our culture will likely continue to undermine the “traditional” family unit and diminish the role of dads.  Now is the time for the Christian community to leverage our untapped social capital and build support networks around the fatherless, while teaching men how to be biblical role models for their children.

10. Against Substance Abuse

Roughly 10% of Americans over the age of 12 are addicted to alcohol and only 8% seek treatment.  Meanwhile, 22% of Americans over 12 years old use illicit drugs and 94% of addicts receive no treatment.  Churches are in a unique position to provide them what no secular organization can – an answer to the hopelessness and loneliness behind the escapism that fuels substance abuse.  Only the church can address all four (spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional) interrelated receptors that cause and cure addiction.  Churches should reduce stigma, recognize signs, inform churchgoers, mitigate risk factors, and serve families whose mental and physical health are impacted by alcohol or drug use disorder.  Now is the time for the Christian community to offer the hope found only in Jesus Christ and a supportive church family to assist in addiction prevention, intervention, and recovery.

It’s Your Turn…

Could you or your church be considered hypocritical on any of those issues?

Read more…

Your Discussion Group Guide

31189137271?profile=RESIZE_710x

Discuss - - Discern - - Design Your Journey

Where do we begin? How do we focus? What needs to change?

 

31003519100?profile=RESIZE_400x

Welcoming your group to the Reimagine.Network

 

. . . a resource hub for readers and leaders who sense that the Church does not merely need more activity, but deeper discernment.

 

This site is designed to help you explore your focus, passion, concern, or question and then

 

follow a pathway into resources that can help you rethink ministry with Christ at the center.

 

You do not have to know exactly what you are rethinking before you begin. Start with the concern that brought you here.

Take time to orient yourself to the pathways and options.

Include others in your journey; make it "our journey.

 

To design, you must discern. To discern, your must discuss (and that includes asking-seeking-knocking).

•Our resources are yours.

•Come back and use them often.

•Share them. Free-access...

Discussion Group Guide

Learn together. Pray together. Rethink together.

Rather than simply reading an article, invite others into a conversation.

Use the questions below to begin/resume the journey (or any Forum discussion, Leader Lab, interview, or Ministry Hub that has captured your attention).

Then follow a simple rhythm:

1. Pray

Ask the Holy Spirit to renew your minds and give your group the mind of Christ.

2. Read

Read the selected article or resource before meeting—or together during your discussion.

3. Reflect

What challenged your assumptions?

What encouraged you?

What surprised you?

4. Discuss

Where do you agree?

Where do you disagree?

What questions remain?

5. Reimagine

How might this reshape our ministry?

Our leadership?

Our congregation?

Our community?

6. Respond

What is one specific step God may be asking us to take?


 

Another format to consider:

READ
What stood out?

PLEAD
What should we pray about?

HEED
What is God asking us to investigate? Initiate?

SEED
Who else needs this conversation?


  

 31153629899?profile=RESIZE_400xInvitation to Our Conversaton 

The goal is not simply to browse more content...

                  The goal is to follow a pathway from concern to question,

                                    from question to reflection, and

                                                      from reflection to Spirit-led, Scripture-fed action.

  • Start with your focus,
  • Follow the question,
  • ReCenter Christ,
  • Who will lead you to reimagine the way forward.

 


 

Our Reimagination Conversation  . . .

Questions to Jump-Start Your Re-View and Re-Examination of

Perspectives and Presumptions that Drive Your Spiritual Life and Ministry

 

Answer this question before you go looking for solutions.

Where to find what you need. Quick-access.

Every new journey needs to leave some things behind. {scroll options}

Navigate these four distinct paths to invite everyone on a spiritual journey of transformation.

Reimagining begins with better questions, not prefab answers.

  • How do I cast vision in a way that involves others in the process?

Convene conversations and group discussions with: Leader Labs * Mini-Courses * Seminar Slides * Workshop Templates. {scroll list}

Seeking the presence of Christ, so that, we serve the Kingdom purposes of Christ.

 

No Quick-Fixes.

Never Begin with Programing

Ask-Seek-Knock for Faith to Dream + Courage to Act

Get started. Keep going...

31188274067?profile=RESIZE_400x

Where is your Focus, Passion, Concern, or Question?

 

Are you wondering why you need to reimagine? Is this even biblical?

Explore Why Reimagine?, and How to Use This Site.

Are you willing to begin recentering Christ in every ministry and activity?

Explore ReCenter Christ, Christ-Centered Questions, and If Christ is the Answer... What's the Question?.

Are you focused on prayer?

Explore Strategic Prayer - #ReimaginePRAYER.

Are you concerned about disciplemaking?

Explore Discipleship - #ReThinkDISCIPLESHIP.

Are you wrestling with Scripture, worldview, or theological assumptions?

Explore Scripture - #ReExamineSCRIPTURE, and Biblical Worldview.

Are you rethinking evangelism?

Explore ReformatEVANGELISM.

Are you concerned about the future of the Church?

Explore Church - #ReSetCHURCH, Future Church, and De-/Re-Construction Forum.

 

Are you passionate about mercy, justice, neighborhoods, or communities?

Explore Compassion - #ReFocusCOMPASSION, and Cities - #ReEngageCITIES.

 

Are you asking big questions about what must be unlearned, reconstructed, recovered, or reimagined?

Explore Forums & Conversations, What's The Question?, The De-/Re-Construction Forum, Future Church, Biblical Worldview, The Gospel Spectrum, and Church Reimagined / Reconfigured.

 

Are you looking for content for teaching/preaching, group discussion, or leadership planning?

Explore Formation & Learning, Strategies for #Reimagineers, Leader Labs, Mini-Courses, Workshops, Worksheets, Staff Retreats,

and Interview Insights.

 

 

___________________________________________________________________________________

The Reimagine.Network

Serves pastors, prayer champions, evangelism catalysts, disciplemakers, church planters

{Permission granted to post, print, project, promote with attribution}

Access and content are free. *  Contributions are welcomed @ PrayerINC.org  *  Help us reach more "reimagineers!"

Read more…

New Mini-Course on Houses of Prayer!

13450333452?profile=RESIZE_584x

Dear Praying Friends,

 

I am more convinced than ever that it is time to revive prayer in our homes and communities. To this end, I created a FREE mini-course on Building Houses of Prayer, which outlines Bible verses pertaining to God's heart for prayer and ways He ordained "sacred spaces" for prayer. 

 

This 5-day, self-paced study will inspire you to dig deeper in prayer for yourself, your family, and your neighborhood. Would you help me share this mini-course with those who might appreciate encouragment or training in this area? You can download and share the pdf below, simply create a sign-in password to view.) 

 

BUILDING A HOUSE OF PRAYER Study

 

Blessings!

Deborah

 

 

Read more…

Prayer Walk

12670059496?profile=RESIZE_710x

 

 

 

 

Praying Hands Albrecht Durer

 

Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

Son of the Father, in truth and love.  I rejoiced that I found thy children walking in truth,     

as we received a commandment from the Father.
                                 
                                                         2 John 3-4 KJV

 

 

 

 

True Love is the Greatest Reality.
     I Will Always Be Who I Have Always Been—         
          I have always loved you, and I always will .
     Truth personified walked the earth to show you the face of God.     
     Compassion was never clearer than on a cross at Skull Hill.     
     Unquestioningly obey My orders, and I will make Myself real to you.     
     Think of Me—and find significance.
          Grace is My glory—unmerited favor sustains you.
               Sincerely rely on My power—walk with Me in every difficulty.


Trustworthy Love is the deepest rest.
     Restlessness gives way to rest when you spend time near My heart.
     Your small craft sails smoothly on high seas if you rely on the Captain.
     Keep your mind on Me, and you will discover incomprehensible peace.
     Seek the Victor’s help with moral battles, and despair will be defeated.
     Hopefully lean on Me, and I will grant you the pleasure of My company.
     Triumph in Me—and celebrate serenity.
          Peace is My gift—unparalleled freedom satisfies you.
               Sing My praises—walk with Me every hour to your last breath.


Tender Love is the highest rejoicing.
     I infinitely separate your sins from My throne—I forgive and forget.
     I am not out to hurt you—I do not deal with you as you deserve.
     I know you are dust—I also know your destiny.
     Prayerfully trust Me, and you can walk with Me through the judgment.
     Trust Me—and experience salvation.
          Mercy is My goodness—undeserved forgiveness saves you.
               Humbly follow Me—walk with Me through Heaven’s gate.

 
11793407670?profile=RESIZE_180x180

 

© By Pastor Johnny R. Almond         

Day 360, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

 

Read more…

Authentic Christianity

12296180265?profile=RESIZE_400x

 

 

Now, dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ
       so that when he returns, you will be full of courage
             and not shrink back from him in shame.
                      1 John 2:28 NLT

 

 

 

 

 

Be captivated in your heart.
     Lovingly obey Me, and I will get personal with you—
          dear, not distant;  close, not cerebral;  Friend, not cold fact;
          Companion, not just a creed;  passion, not head-trip idea.
     Stay near My heart—and I will make Myself real to you.

Be Christlike in your actions.
     Back up adjectives with verbs—I do not want applause; I want surrender.
     Christlikeness is a moral imperative, not an ideal—a must, not an ought to.
     Walk in My steps—and I will reward you with My smile.

Be compassionate in your relationships.
     I am the God with a heart—be sure you have one too.
     Christian love is not based on feelings—it begins with a choice of your will.
     Follow My example—and I will bless you with My love.

Be celebrative in My Presence.
     Draw near Me, and joy will cascade through your inner being.
          My music teaches you to sing, My promises give you confidence,
          My grace strengthens your soul, My peace calms you in the hurricane.
     Learn My melody—and I will give you a full, rich life.

Be consecrated in My will.
     Sin thrills, then kills—obedience paves the road to heaven.
     Material things are transitory—invisible realities endure eternally.
     Treasure My friendship—and I will give you eternal life.

Be consistent in your devotion.
     Stay in step with the Way, keep faith in the Truth, enjoy liberty of the Life.
     Trust and obey Me, whatever happens—prove you are a real disciple.
     Keep traveling My road—and I will get you home.

 

12246177863?profile=RESIZE_180x180

 

 

© By Johnny R. Almond                         

Day 359, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

 

 

Read more…

Children and Prayer Class update

Children and Prayer Class update

The Children and Prayer class blog presented by Wheatland Ministries has been updated.  This was necessary because some of the links no longer worked, and other technical “updates” to the blog were made in the past by Google. 

 

The Blog should work well now.  If you have visited it in the past, please do so again.  IT is designed to offer instruction on teaching children about the Spiritual Heart and gives instruction on helping them pray.  It is adaptable for VBS, or Camps.  It could be used for a class o helping parents learning how to teach their children about their Spiritual Heart, and in addition help their children to learn to pray.

 

The blog site is www.childrenandprayerclass.blogspot.com

 

My prayer is that this site will be helpful in helping teach children about their spiritual heart, and understand what it means to accept Jesus into their heart.

 

Blessings

Lewis Turner

Wheatland Ministries

 

Read more…

Formula for Excellence

11172091258?profile=RESIZE_710x

 

Add diligence to divine promises, employ effort exercising faith
  to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy),
   and in exercising virtue develop knowledge (intelligence),
    and in exercising your knowledge develop self-control,
      exercising self-control develop endurance (patience),
        exercising steadfastness develop godliness (piety),
          exercising godliness develop brotherly affection,
            exercising affection develop Christian love.
                  2 Peter 1:5-7 AMPLIFIED BIBLE

 

Initiated by faith, your journey was established by a gifted beginning.
Right in My sight by trusting My Son, you have taken a good first step.

Inspired by virtue, Christ is your Example—your paragon is God’s Best.
Struggling for Christlikeness, respond to My moral imperative.

Informed by knowledge, your education is based on a guiding Book.
Treasuring My Word in your heart, learn to live by timeless wisdom.

Intensified by self-control, you are enriched by governed betterment.
Practicing alert discipline, experience the ecstasy of My holy liberty.

Instructed by steadfastness, you endure trouble with graceful bravery.
Enrolled in Adversity University, learn well and graduate with honor.

Illuminated by godliness, you see the Eternal One’s glorious beauty.
Gazing at heaven’s Radiant Light, worship with reverent wonder.

Included by Christian affection, you embrace all in faith’s glad bond.
Not preoccupied by narcissism, be sincerely interested in other people.

Impacted by Love, you express Christ’s heart by gently blessing others.
Not content with merely going in circles, do good while you go around.


 

12246177863?profile=RESIZE_180x180

 

© By Pastor Johnny R. Almond    

Day 358, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

 

Read more…

BECOMING A FRIEND OF GOD (WEBINAR)

Experience intimacy, healing and restored peace with God today! Join Deborah Perkins of His Inscriptions and special guest Gary Beaton from Transformation Glory as we talk about how to Become a Friend of God! This webinar was first broadcast live on April 20, 2024. Bonus: LIsten to the audio on Spotify or Apple Podcasts here: https://bit.ly/4HisIncSptfy
Read more…

Mission in the Mayhem

10970887894?profile=RESIZE_180x180

 

 

 To this were you called—it is inseparable from your vocation.

  Christ suffered for you, leaving you His personal example,

          so that you should follow on in His footsteps.

               1 Peter 2:21 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE

 

 

 

In a chaotic world, cultivate a calm mind.

     Even in life’s storms, you can truly relax when you rest in Me.

     Step off your hectivity treadmill—be still and sense My Holy Presence.   

     Crave spiritual nourishment in a confused world.

     Keep faith in Me—wait in My shadow.

 

In a crazy world, develop a committed soul.

     You are a child of the Light—do not run with cockroaches in dark alleys.

     Make Me your purpose—serve Me enthusiastically and seek My smile.

     Conduct yourself carefully in a careless world.

     Focus on My will—work in My service.

 

In a crying world, maintain a cheerful attitude.

     Even at midnight, sing hymns—others are listening, so sing well.

     Celebrate the joy of humility, not just the happiness of happenings.

     Stay near the Cornerstone in a conceited world.

     Make Me your Festival—worship in My song.

 

In a complacent world, have a caring heart.

     It is a cold, cruel world—love like your heart-warming God.

     I am your Mission in the mayhem—work for your Divine Supervisor.

     Get in a word for Christ in a counterfeit world.

     Reach out with feeling—witness in My Spirit.

 

In a commonplace world, live a Christlike life.

     Even when splinters from the cross hurt you, do not quit the noble quest.

     The Via Dolorosa was not easy—Christian living is no cake walk.

     Make a conscious effort in a carnal world.

     Follow Me—walk in My steps.

 

12127012495?profile=RESIZE_180x180 

 

         © Pastor Johnny R. Almond

Day 357, Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

Read more…

Articles and News from My 18 Years as Prayer Coordinator

 

  1.  
  2. CALL TO PRAYER: Developing a yearly rhythm for church prayer

    CALL TO PRAYER: Developing a yearly rhythm for church prayer

    PALATINE, Ill. (BP) -- Nine years into my pastorate of a small, suburban congregation all heaven broke loose. On a Sunday in December 1989, like the Berlin Wall that had recently crumbled half-way across the globe, a wall came crashing down in our church. Our creative but comfortable evangelical congregation suddenly went from singing three …

    NEXT>>>

Read more…

Faith under Fire

9570806262?profile=RESIZE_584x  Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.
   When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
       So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed,
           you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
                                        James 1:2-4 NLT


Persevere in trouble—and you will be able to rejoice whatever happens.
     I am the Song of your heart.
     When you feel like quitting, gaze again at the cross and keep on going.
     Do not try to pray your way out of trouble—pray your way through it.
     In your trial by fire, I am the Fourth Man.
     Hard times do not last forever—after a long dark night there is a dawn.
     Stoics take it on the chin and grit their teeth, somberly trudging ahead.
     Epicureans party and try to forget difficulties, joking until the hangover.
     Christians trust Me and experience joy beyond description.
     The human situation is dark chaos—but My Spirit is your Night Light.
     Wait on Me—last and you will laugh.



Purify your thoughts—and you will be refined from the inside out.
     I am the Sanctifier of your mind.
     I allow trials to test your faith and produce unalloyed devotion.
     In 1787, John Keith composed “How Firm a Foundation,”
          a hymn that beautifully describes My intention for your life:
          “The flame shall not hurt you; I only design your dross to consume,
               and your gold to refine.”
     To win over sin, daily internalize and treasure My Holy Word.
     Worship Me—learn My lessons and walk in My light.


Prepare for tomorrow—and you will be ready to meet Me face to face.
     I am the Strength of your soul.
     Whatever I ask of you, I enable you to accomplish.
     Faith under fire is a character-building experience.
     Flames leap high in the crucible—impurity burned away, I see My face.
     Let Me work in you—yield to Me as your Lord and truly live.


12246177863?profile=RESIZE_180x180

© By Pastor Johnny R. Almond         

Day 356, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

 

Read more…

The Unequaled Christ

12130105466?profile=RESIZE_584x

                           Sallman  Head of Christ 

Even though Jesus was God’s Son,
    he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest,   
    he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
                  Hebrews 5:8-9 NLT

 

Christ is perfectly sinless—unstained among human beings.
     He felt the full spectrum of temptation, yet never once gave in to evil.
     Pilate could not find a flaw in him—no honest person ever has.
     He is the Gracious Redeemer and the Sweetest Friend.


Christ is powerfully sovereign—uncontestable by earth’s rulers.
     He alone has the authority to order our unquestioning obedience.
     He alone deserves our undivided allegiance.
     He is the Gentle Ruler and the Strongest Force.


Christ is permanently stable—unchanging in life’s twists and turns.
     He will never let you down—He is your Solid Rock in trouble’s quicksand.
     He will never lead you astray—He is your Compass in the world’s confusion.
     Abraham’s Provider is your Confidence for tomorrow.
     Moses’ Banner is your Victory over spiritual enemies.
     Jacob’s Dream is your Vision of a bright future.
     Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors is your Greatest Blessing.
     Isaiah’s Commander is the Hand on your shoulder.
     Daniel’s Decisiveness is your Noblest Purpose.
     Job’s Optimism is your Ultimate Hope.
     David’s Joy is your Morning Song.
     Paul’s Hallelujah is your Secret of perseverance.
     Peter’s Faith is your Motivation to make a conscious effort.
     John’s Revelation is your Bright Morning Star.
     He is the Great Reality and the Surest Foundation.


12127012495?profile=RESIZE_180x180

 

 © By Pastor Johnny R. Almond               

Day 355, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

 

 

Read more…