When people describe the Church, "creative" probably isn’t the first
word that comes to mind. This sad truth isn’t the result of a lack of
creative Christians, but rather, Christians who don’t know what to do
with their creativity.

Each week, Neue asks a question that is meant to challenge,
inspire and
encourage today’s ministry leaders. Feel free to
respond and discuss in the comment section. This week, we want to know:

How does your church support the arts, both directly within your ministry and beyond?

We
talk to Lisa Whittle about her new book, Whole: An Honest Look at the Holes in Your Life —and How to Let God Fill Them. Click to listen now or subscribe at iTunes.

TweetGod wants you to reach more people this Easter. Join me for this FREE Conference Call designed to give some practical steps that will allow you to experience record attendance on Easter Sunday. I want to make this as easy as possible so I will be doing this call 6 times in the next two [...]

One of my favorite Old Testament leaders is Nehemiah. He was a government worker in the employment of a foreign king. A high ranking worker no doubt. A leader. A cupbearer to the King. Trusted and respected.

Then he became a building contractor, called in to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Through the story of the Old Testament book, we can discover a few of the leadership qualities that he possessed.

1. Compassion- when learning of the condition of the wall and of his people, Nehemiah wept.

2. Conviction- he understood that loyalty to his country and to his people in Jerusalem was paramount.

3. Courage- he stood alongside the builders of the wall to fight off enemies who wanted to bring them down. A shovel in one hand and a spear in the other.

4. Confrontation- Nehemiah called out those who were stealing from their brothers, and doling out debt without reason. He held them accountable, and directed them towards living right. Those whom he loved and admired he pushed towards righteous living.

5. Calling- he understood his role as the one who had been called to lead in rebuilding the wall, and correctly responded to that assignment when God prompted.

What leader in the bible do you most admire? What qualities does he/she possess that make them a good leader?

Check out Brad’s thoughts here or follow him here!

In October of 2010, the Catalyst audience heard Christine Caine speak about Christ-followers being light in the dark places [watch here]. For Caine, this has resulted in her fight to end sex trafficking through the A21 Campaign.

The CNN Freedom Project is joining the fight to end modern-day slavery by shining a spotlight on the horrors of modern-day slavery, amplifying the voices of the victims, highlighting success stories and helping unravel the complicated tangle of criminal enterprises trading in human life.

Today, we came across this video & story of Dave Terpstra, a pastor who left Denver and moved to Mozambique with his family.

Watch their inspiring story below!

It isn’t simply followers who are creating celebrity pastors, it’s the market.

TweetThis is the week I’ve been eagerly anticipating for months!  My new Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network begins THIS THURSDAY and I’m excited about the quality of pastors who are signed up. This is a great group of Senior Pastors. I just want to give you a heads-up though – I only have room for a few [...]

Behind the rise of today’s pastoral pantheon is a systemic economic force.

This Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a tradition observed by Christians around the world for centuries. A season of intentional self-denial, repentance and service, Lent identifies with when Jesus was tested in the Wilderness. Many of us have distanced ourselves from Lent wondering if it’s an antiquated legalistic ritual. Yet when we look at the story of Jesus in the wilderness – we see temptations, so relevant for today that it’s worth season to fast, pray and surrender to God, acknowledging our desperate need for his grace and power.

At Jesus baptism’, the heavens are opened and the Father publicly endorses and affirms his Son, before his public ministry even began. Then the Spirit leads Jesus into the desert where the devil attacks. With each temptation Satan attempts to undermine Jesus identity. Sure you’re his Son in the good times when everybody see you and loves you, but in the bad times, in the barren place, in private – who are you now? Whose are you now?

Ever had that question running through your own mind and heart?

Satan confronts three main areas in an attack on Jesus identity – Appetite, Approval, and Ambition (The alliterative insight is not my own, that was from Mike Breen)

Appetite.

After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Matthew 4:1-2)

The enemy started in a place of obvious weakness and legitimate need. But the temptation was about more than bread. In fasting, Jesus has surrendered his appetite to God; the Father was his source of strength, and security and provision. The temptation on offer was that Jesus would take back control of his appetites, meet his own needs as his appetites demanded.

We all have weaknesses and legitimate needs – for food and drink, friendship, intimacy, provision. But what do we do about them? Are we confident that our loving and powerful Father can and will meet our every need, and hold us secure? Or have our appetites started to control not just how we think and feel, but also how we live our lives, spend our time and energy?

Approval.

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down… (Matt.4:5,6)

If you’re the son of God, prove it! The devil sought to lure Jesus into try something dramatic that would prove who he was to anybody watching. We may not be throwing ourselves off of buildings, but how many times have we sought to prove ourselves, with our gifts or roles, our possessions, our families, in order to be approved of? Affirmation feels great; it’s wonderful when someone values us. Still there is One who has already demonstrated his love for us, given us worth and value before we could achieve a single thing. Is His approval enough? Or do the expectations of others and ourselves or the wounds of our broken stories hold us in the grip of an approval addiction?

Ambition.

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:8,9)

If Jesus would bow the knee, he’d receive incredible influence and global success. No serving a broken world, no touching lepers, no rejection from Pharisees, no Cross. Just a tempting opportunity. Jesus refuses and reaffirms his call and commitment to worship and serve God alone. God’s path for power and authority will lead to a cross, but will change the course of history.

How does ambition shape our identity and drive our lives? We’re passionate to see transformation in our world. But are we ready to do so on the Father’s terms, knowing that our personal dreams and visions are not our rights, that we’re part of a much bigger story? Are we ready to follow him knowing that his call involves a daily cross?

The devil leaves Jesus alone, discovering that Jesus identity is unshakeable. Jesus knows whose he is, and that relationship defines appetite, approval and ambition. He leaves the wilderness in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14) ready to engage with the world around him.

When you look at your life whose are you? Do you see the Father’s hand on your appetites, your desire for approval, and your ambition? Or do they control and shape your life?

What could it be like to take a season, say, 40 days out of the ordinary to intentionally invite God to transform your life? What would it look like to carve out some time, some practices, to reflect, to pray to surrender?

What would it be like to discover anew in the middle of your wilderness that the Father already loved you, was already proud of you?