Archive for Tim Woodroof – Page 2

Pursuing God’s Vision for Your Church (Part 1)

by Tim Woodroof and Jon Mullican –  As important as it is for your church to have a clear vision, having the right vision is even more critical. And the right vision does not happen accidentally. It begins with asking a few basic questions and following an effective process. Here are some questions church leaders should […]

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A Tale of Two Churches

by Tim Woodroof and Jon Mullican –  Imagine two churches. Same age, same size, same talented membership, same level of commitment, even the same general community. Similar ministry staff with similar competencies. Each church blessed with sincere, earnest shepherds. Can you see these churches in your mind’s eye? Now fast-forward ten years. One of these churches […]

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Hearing God’s Call for Your Church (part 1) – The General Call

By Tim Woodroof –  Do you believe God still “calls” people and congregations to accomplish his kingdom business? Like he called Moses and Israel to find the Promised Land? Like Jesus called Peter and the other Apostles to follow him? Like Paul and the Antioch Church was called to reach the Gentiles? The whole idea […]

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A User Friendly Church (part 4) – The Stranger

by Tim Woodroof –  Life was precarious in ancient times. Violence, famine, and plague lurked around every corner. Failed crops and marauding armies threatened ruin for all but the wealthiest few. A careless word, a simple lack of attention, could spell disaster. This was especially true for the “stranger.” A long way from the safety of […]

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A New Testament Purpose – It Starts With A Mission

by Tim Woodroof – In the process of finding a new Senior Minister, most churches are ready, eager, and willing to jump right in. They are keen to start collecting resumes, calling references, and interviewing candidates. So when I suggest they slow down, many churches react with surprise and not-a-little disappointment. “Slow down?” they ask. “We […]

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What Time is it at Your Church? (part 1) – Seasons

by Tim Woodroof – There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. (Ecc 3:1) I’m getting older. Can’t run as fast or long as once was true. I ache in places I never noticed before. I wear tri-focals. My memory isn’t what it used to be. (Where did I […]

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The Search Process (part 2) – The Right Stuff

By Tim Woodroof   –  “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” Even the smallest journey begins with a destination. We rarely invest time and energy to travel “spontaneously,” without any thought as to purpose or goal. Rather, with a destination firmly in mind, we get out our map (or […]

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Followship: Part 1 – A Crisis of Followship

by Tim Woodroof Open your Bible and show me a time when God’s people ever flourished in the absence of good and godly leaders. Point out an instance where “everyone doing what was right in his own eyes” resulted in kingdom accomplishments. Give me an example when murmuring, resistance, and revolt against God’s anointed leaders […]

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Followship: Part 2 – Selected or Called?

by Tim Woodroof May I suggest one factor that makes leading and following so difficult in our congregations today? We (at least those of us who belong to Churches of Christ) have no functional theology of calling. In place of such a theology, we have adopted the leadership ideals and perspectives of our democratized culture, […]

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Followship: Part 3 – The Difference “Calling” Makes for Followers

by Tim Woodroof In my previous blog post, I suggested it is helpful to believe spiritual leaders are “called” by God rather than “selected” by members, that church leadership relies on God’s election rather than ours. And I asked “What practical difference might this make for the leadership ‘culture’ of our churches?” I point out […]

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