Motives for Ministry

Ryan Lowery

2 Corinthians 5:9-21

We are called to let the love of God shine through us as we serve others, but what should motivate us to serve? Paul first discusses with the Corinthians what we should not be motivated by: glorifying self. He then discusses three good motives for serving. We serve because: 1) we will be rewarded, 2) God loved us first, and 3) He has asked us to serve others.

Ministers of a New Covenant

Ryan Lowery

2 Corinthians 3:18

The Corinthians have been questioning Paul's authority and credentials to speak into their lives. Paul tells this church that its members are his credentials ? the way he loved them and led them to God and not himself is his proof that he speaks truth. Paul records four ways that we can know whether or not we should listen to a person's insight. We must ask: 1) from whom do they take their confidence, 2) where do they get their adequacy, 3) are they a servant, and 4) do they rely on the Spirit or the Law?

Loving Individuals with Disabilities

Dani Shaffer

Carol Tufano

Matthew 28:18-20

Disability is both a part of a person and created by the environment. In order to love those with disabilities, we must go beyond the common approaches to overlook or completely separate these individuals, instead integrating them by making appropriate accommodations. This workshop explores what integration in this context looks like, as well as the Xenos models for offering this to those with disabilities. This includes what discipleship and involvement in the adult ministry may look like for these individuals.

Love - Labor, Joy and Glory

Lindsey Tobin

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

As we examine Paul's labor for the Thessalonian and Corinthian churches, we see that while he labored, he also experienced real joy. This workshop explores the relationship between these two realities as well as glory - glory in God's presence, in his rewards, and in himself. A deeper look into these letters gives us a rich understanding of what these truly look like and how they apply to our lives today. We also see the joy killers we should seek to avoid as we labor in our Christian lives. \r\n

Portraits of Love - Scriptural Stories of Hospitality

Rich Mendola

2 Kings 4:8-17

Hospitality is a major way of showing love to outsiders or strangers, something that God calls us to do. Not only is hospitality commanded but it is also illustrated throughout Scripture, especially through two passages examined in this workshop. Abraham offered hospitality to the messengers who were sent by God as did the Shunammite woman toward the prophet Elisha. Through these examples, we see practical ways of showing hospitality which can be applied to our hospitable efforts in our own cities.

Loving Our Cities

Randy Chestnut

Jeremiah 29:7

God makes, grows, and uses cities, and He has a purpose for them. The more we understand this purpose and begin to see His heart for the city, the more we will have a heart for our city. We can make the choice to love where God has placed us, and there are many ways we can build relationships with the people of our community and be a blessing to them. We have to show that we are a church with the community, not only in it and for it.

Praying for Stuck Christians

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Samuel 12:22-23

Once beginning a relationship with Christ, the road to spiritual growth is not easy and many believers become "stuck," mired in things like bitterness, self-righteousness or fear. This workshop develops the biblical evidence that we should pray for these believers and explores what that looks like in action. Prayer is an immensely powerful tool, and we need to wield it in order to help others be loosened from the enemy's grasp. We see that In response to this, we should consider someone in our own life for whom we may pray and be prepared to persevere in those prayers.

The Return of the King

Scott Risley

Luke 19:11-44

In the final week of His life, Jesus approached Jerusalem and gave a parable challenging listeners to live focused on eternity. He taught that He will give a reward to those who use His resources for His purposes. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of His arrival and someday He will return again. How will you spend your life?

Five Memorable Lessons

Scott Risley

Luke 17:1-19

Five lessons from Jesus on how to have successful relationships with others and with God are: 1) Don't be a stumbling block; 2) Rebuke and forgive; 3) Faith; 4) Have a servant's attitude; and 5) Gratitude.