Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Let's talk about your big BUT...


By far the single most important thing I did in 2012 that helped my relationship with God was reading through the Bible chronologically—with some friends.

In the words of Nacho Libre, "It's fantastic."

I'd like you join me in creating your own study group (face-to-face and/or online) to read through the Bible chronologically—together—this year.

But first, let's talk about your big BUT.

I know. You've tried to read the Bible in a year before, BUT about the time you got to Leviticus you ran out of gas. (pun intended.) Then you felt guilty about it. (I feel your pain.) You felt like such loser! (I may be projecting my own feelings onto you now.) Well, let me help you get over your big BUT by introducing you to… 
Did you get that? This year is the guilt-free—not the guil-ty—read-through-the-Bible-chronologically-in-a-year.

So what happens when you miss a day? A few days? A week? A month? Three months? Six months? A year? (Again, I might be projecting my own past failed experiences in reading through the Bible in a year onto you… sorry.) If you miss a day, week, or month or whatever, I invite you to simply start reading the Bible—not where you left off—but on whatever day it is that day. No Bible-reading mafia types will show up at your house to confiscate your Bible and break your legs. Seriously. No guilt. Say those words slowly right now out loud: "No. Guilt."

Why this approach? I suspect if you take this no guilt approach, you will actually read the Bible more this year than any other year in your life.  Next year, we can work on reading the WHOLEly Bible :  )

Here's the kicker: Reading through the Bible in a year takes only about 15 minutes a day, but it's 15 minutes a day that will change your life forever.

I'm up in your grill. I'm throwing it down baby. I dirty-double-dog-dare-you to read the Bible for 15 minutes day… and regularly share with some friends how God is changing your lives.

Following Jesus Together...
The best way to take this Bible reading adventure is to invite some friends you see and interact with often to take it with you. It was my wife who got me to do this in back in 2011. So I encourage you to invite your face-to-face friends to join you on this adventure.  You could use the "study and share method" (not to be confused with the Sonny and Cher method): Each person studies the daily readings at home, and then you gather weekly, twice a month, or whatever to share what you're learning with each other. Last year, Jason Schifo's church decided to read through the Bible together in a year—so they actually started a study-and-share Sunday school class. The whole class was simply sharing with each other what God was stirring and teaching in the previous seven days of readings.

BUT Who?
Not sure who you can invite to take this adventure with you? What about your spouse? Your mom or dad? Your kids? Friends from church? Small group? Neighbors? Coworkers? (I hope you're getting the idea that it's the people all around you everyday.)

While I prefer face-to-face gatherings for study and share, I also enjoy the study and share that happens via Facebook. You could start a no-guilt-read-through-the-Bible-together Facebook group right now. Such a group will make it possible for you to leave comments and share what your learning with each other. Most important, it will enable you to share how God is working in our lives as you read and apply his Word. 

Why all this reading the Bible together with friends? Friends don't let friends read the Bible alone. Even small children know that everything is better with a friend.

So, are you in? What is your next step in starting a group right now?

Great news! You don't need to get a new Bible to take this adventure! Here's the one year chronology I will be following this year. (Note: This is a slightly different chronology than in 2012.)

This one year chronological Bible reading plan is also available for FREE online at Youversion.com. You can sign up for the Chronological Reading Plan. Youversion makes it possible to not only read the Bible online in whatever version you choose (I'm bent on the New Living Translation this year again), but you can also listen to the audio of each day's readings for FREE!

Is your big BUT still getting in your way?
If yes, then watch this video.



Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The best disciplemaking training experience for jr. high/middle school students I've ever seen


We just invested a weekend encouraging and equipping junior high/middle school students to make disciples who make more disciples.

Yes, I said junior high and middle school students and disciplemaking in the same sentence.

I know, right?

For some strange unfortunate reason, junior high/middle school students are often regarded as the ugly step-daughter of youth ministry.

I couldn't disagree more.

When it comes to disciplemaking like Jesus, I think jr. high/middle school students can lead the way... for the high school students and adults. (Yeah... you'll probably need to reread that sentence again.)  I continually see it happen... and I saw it in Minnesota at the Equip Training Experience last month.

About 100 students and youth leaders from 5 different ministries from 3 different states gathered at Ridgewood Church in Minnetonka, MN for the Equip Training Experience. Almost every part of this equipping experience was led by the students (with adults in supporting roles)... including the training and worship times!

The training is fun, biblical, and highly interactive. No long lectures here. Lots of disciplemaking triads (groups of 3) wrestling Scripture for understanding and application... together. Plus, each day there are practical, hands on expressions of overflowing God's love to the world... so Equip isn't simply a seminar that happens at a church. It's an authentic disciplemaking training experience.

Right out of the Equip training manual (click the image to enlarge for reading). "Living as friends who follow Jesus together."AKA: Disciplemaking.

Lots of hands on learning activities... students with students... adults with students... all learning together and having a blast.

Here's another learning activity that included engaging students in God's Word, praying, and community.

Studying Scripture to know and love God... together. By now you might be thinking, "The middle school students in our ministry would never do what I'm seeing students do in these pictures." I say, they could and would... IF you would lead them there. Perhaps you are getting from junior high students what you expect. You don't expect much... and your getting exactly what you expect. Maybe you need to change your expectations.

Yes, students also serve at Equip behind the scenes. Everyone's got to eat during the weekend training experience. These crazy students and adults made some of the meals happen... and they had a ball while working for God and others... together.

Yep. Equip is a crazy fun and life-changing equipping experience designed to "equip" junior high and middle school students to be disciples who make disciples... who make more disciples.

Isn't that what Jesus really wants from all of us who claim to know and follow Him?

Bring your leaders and students to THIS Equip happening this summer in WI! (Click the image below to enlarge for reading.)


Want to learn how to bring the Equip Training Experience to your junior high/middle schoolers? 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Don't use volunteers, disciple them!


The updated, revised, and expanded 2012 digital edition of Recruiting, Motivating, and Retaining Volunteers is a handbook for anyone who works with volunteers in a ministry setting. This digital book experience comes with videos and other digital extras that we hope will delight you.

* This book will show you how to get more people off the bench and into the game. 

* You'll explore what makes volunteers tick and why that matters. 

* You'll discover why good volunteers quit and how to keep this from happening.

In short, this is a handbook for finding, developing, and deploying volunteers for ministry (a.k.a. disciplemaking).

We hope you'll tell all your friends!

If the video doesn't appear, go here.


Click here for a FREE 17 page sample.




Get your complete digital copy now...
Click here for the iBook version.
Click here for Kindle, Nook, and other e-readers.
Click here for hard copy printed book.

This updated, revised, and expanded 2012 edition of Cadre's classic handbook is for anyone who works with volunteers in a ministry setting. This digital book experience comes with videos and other digital extras we hope will delight you. Regular printed books will be available soon here.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Save the Dates!

January 29, 2013
PALCO Lunch 11:30-1
* Stay tuned for what we'll be havering.

February 19, 2013
Day Long Gathering 9 AM to 2 PM
* Stay tuned for what we'll be havering.


Tuesday, October 30, 2012

This Par-Tay is Gonna Be C-R-A-Z-Y...

Thursday, November 8th, is our next day long PALCO gathering. (Complete details here.)

Our time together will focus on exploring and havering over what can be known about 1st century Jesus-like disciplemaking—and how that translates to us as disciplemakers in a 21st century Western world.

We're encouraging everyone to read Imaginary Jesus before they come on 11/8/12. (No, it's NOT required—so don't let that stop you from joining us on 11/8/12.)

I'm hearing back from those who have read it already and they are saying it's a fast and fun read. Dan Learned says: "I read Imaginary Jesus. Loved it! And I agree with you that it'll be a family-read around the dinner table. Good stuff! Thanks!" Ed Brockway writes, "I'm loving Imaginary Jesus, especially page 44—the donkey's definition of a disciple!"

Some House Cleaning Before We Gather...
1. I still have a few copies of Imaginary Jesus and I'm willing to try to get one to you BEFORE we gather on 11/8 if you would like one. Let me know ASAP.

2. You are encouraged (not required) to invite others from your sphere of influence to join us for this PALCO gathering—and that can include volunteers (both males and females), coworkers (both males and females), and/or your wife (females only). Complete details here.

3. Is anyone willing to take responsibility for bringing one of these below?
* coffee, cream, sugar, and cups
* healthy snacks
* donuts and goodies for the rest of us who don't care if we die young.
Let Bill know ASAP if you can you help us with one of these!

Finally, here are some Imaginary Jesus FREEBIES... 
1. FREE Sample Chapter of Imaginary Jesus.
2. FREE Imaginary Jesus Study Guide Download.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Thanks for a great PALCO Lunch!

On October 11, 2012, we connected, caught up, ate way too much great food, shared our joys and challenges, prayed for each other, and havered over what 1st century Jesus-like disciplemaking looks like in a 21st century Western world.

In other words, we were a Disciplemaking Learning Community.

Click any image to enlarge for viewing.
Above: Looks like Dan is talking... and no one else was listening. But those of us there know we were hanging on every word from Dan... and others. (Not pictured above but present: Doug Rumbold, Dave Steinbeck, and Ed Brockway.)

The title of this picture: Guys who come to PALCO lunch and don't run out the door immediately after it's over. Subtitle: The more spiritual guys of PALCO.  :   )

A new subgroup of PALC: Heaven's Angels. Wherever we go, Bible studies break out. Yes, this is where we stopped to drink... coffee at Eysals.

Register Now!
Our next day long PALC Ongoing is Thursday, November 8, 2012. Complete details here.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Next PALCO: 1st Century Disciplemaking, Nov 8th


The big question we continually seek to explore and answer in PALC Ongoing is: What does 1st century Jesus-like disciplemaking look like in a 21st century Western World? 

Think about this for a moment.

You can't answer our big question without some knowledge of 1st century Jesus-like disciplemaking.

Our day long gathering will focus on exploring and havering over what can be known about 1st century Jesus-like disciplemaking—and how that translates to us as disciplemakers in a 21st century Western world. 

Date?
Thursday, November 8, 2012

Time?
9 AM to 4 PM

Where?
Camp of Champions, Pekin, IL


Who?
You (PALC alumni) and anyone from your life and ministry you think would really like to explore 1st century Jesus-like disciplemaking—including your wife. (Sorry, no children.) If you're bringing more than 5 people, please just let me know so we can prepare accordingly.

Prep?
It would be ideal if everyone reads Imaginary Jesus before our day together. Why this book? This book (which we actually read to our kids) will raise a very important question that will launch us into havering at PALCO on 11/8/12. Seriously, don't freakout about reading this book. It's a very fast (and strange) read. (Sample chapter and video here.) FYI: I currently have 14 copies of Imaginary Jesus in my possession.  I will gladly a get copy to you for NO EXTRA COST immediately after Cadre receives your tuition. First come first serve. Of course, you don't have to get a copy of the book from me. You are more than welcome to purchase your own copy wherever you like.

(Dan Learned has already read the book, and here's what he had to say: "I read Imaginary Jesus. Loved it! And I agree with you that it'll be a kid-read around the dinner table. Good stuff! Thanks!" Ed Brockway writes, "I'm loving Imaginary Jesus, especially page 44—the donkey's definition of a disciple!")

Tuition?
—$50 for you, the ministry leader.
You will get the training experience, up to two books, all twelve Rabbi Jesus audios (3 of which you already have), and a trainer's digital file that includes the presentation. It's a $150 value in resources alone. (Please bring a large jump drive or your laptop!)
—$25 for any guest from your ministry.
Each guest will get a training experience, the twelve Rabbi Jesus audios, and a book.

Registration?
Registration will be on a first come, first serve basis. Once your tuition is paid, you are considered registered. If you're one of the first 14 people to register, I will be sure to get the Imaginary Jesus book to you ASAP.
* To register via regular mail, send a check to: Cadre Ministries, PO Box 264, Mossville, IL 61552 and include a note that the check is for PALCO.
(If money is truly an issue for you, let me know and I'll take care of it for you. Not joking. I love you.)

Lunch?
Each person should bring their own lunch.


Bring?
If you already have copy of the book, Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, be sure to bring it with you on 11/8/12! If you don't already have a copy, you DON'T need to read it, buy one, or bring one with you.


Can You Help?
We need a someone to bring...
* coffee, cream, sugar, and cups
* healthy snacks
* donuts and goodies for the rest of us who don't care if we die young.

Let Bill know ASAP if you can you help us with one of these!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Prep for Day Long Gathering 11/8/12


The one piece of prep that you need to do BEFORE our day long gathering on Thursday, November 8, 2012, is to read Imaginary Jesus (a.k.a My Imaginary Jesus).





Don't sweat this. It's a fast, fun, and strange read.

Why this book? This book (which I actually read to my kids) will raise a very important question that will launch us into havering at PALCO on 11/8/12.

I have just 14 of these books in my possession and will be glad to get one to you after you care for your tuition for our day long gathering on 11/8/12.

Here's a video trailer for the book that I strongly encourage you to watch.

* If video doesn't appear, click here.

Your Next Steps...
1. Let me know if you want a book from me ASAP.
2. Here's a FREE sample chapter download of Imaginary Jesus.



Thursday, October 4, 2012

PALCO Lunch 10/11/12

Date
Thursday, October 11, 2012

Time
11:30 AM to 1 PM

Where
The Pizza Ranch in Morton, IL. I have the back room reserved for us.

What
We'll have fun connecting with each other AND wrestling what you're learning from the three audios—and how it applies to living a Jesus-like disciplemaking way of life... together.

What to Bring
Everyone should bring one excellent question for discussion. The question should be based on something from the audios and written on a 3x5 card.

RSVP Now!
For the sake of Pizza Ranch, I need to know if you are planning on being a part of this lunch, so please email me and let me know RIGHT NOW.  Thanks. Can't wait.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

PALCO Lunch 10/11/12 Audio #3



Here's the THIRD audio download.

Can't wait to wrestle this audio download with you at lunch on 10/11/12.






Have you saved this date below yet?

Thursday, November 8th
PALCO Day Long Gathering
When: 9 AM to 4 PM,

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

PALCO Lunch 10/11/12 Audio #2


Here's the SECOND audio download.

Can't wait to wrestle this audio download—and the audio downloads to follow—with you at lunch on 10/11/12.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

PALCO Lunch 10/11/12

You've already marked the dates in you calendar for our PALCO lunch and our next day long gathering. Good job.

Now let's focus on our PALCO lunch. Here are the details:

Date? 
Thursday, October 10, 2012

Time?
11:30 AM to 1 PM

Where?
The private room at Pizza Ranch in Morton, IL.

What?
About once a week, I'm going to post an audio download here on the PALCO blog... leading up to our 10/11/12 lunch gathering. You will have a week to download the audio and then I will remove it from this blog. So I suggest you download the audio immediately. The 3-4 audios I will post will be about 40 minutes in length each. This prepare you for havering at our PALCO lunch gathering on 10/11/12.

The downloads we'll be listening to and havering over come from a series of 12 audios. I have listened to all 12 of these audios about 4-5 times since February. I think you'll understand why when you listen yourself.


Here's the first audio download.

Can't wait to wrestle this audio download—and the audio downloads to follow—with you at lunch on 10/11/12.






Going back into the PALC archives for this one...

Thursday, September 6, 2012

PALC Ongoing Save the Dates!

Please save these dates for time with your favorite aspiring Jesus-like disciplemaking friends from The Peoria Area Leadership Community Ongoing...

Thursday, October 11th 
PALCO Lunch
When: 11:30-1
Where: TBA

Thursday, November 8th
PALCO Day Long Gathering
When: 9 AM to 4 PM,
Where: TBA





RIGHT NOW would be a good time to stop reading and put these two dates into your calendar. Just sayin'.

Remember: Always an invitation. Never any pressure.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Are you going to the Discipleshift Coference?

Conferences are excuses to get more time with your disciplemaking friends.

Tweet that baby.

I'm going. Deveraux and his wife are going. Jesse Bartz is in. My friend Shane Stacey from the Evangelical Free Church of America and some of the guys he's multiplying DLCs across the country with are going. Dave and Rennie Garda from Cadre are going too. It's all going down 4/22-25/13.

How about you?

If you are, let's plan on getting some time together while there. Complete details about the conference are here and note the deadline for early registration is 8/7/13.


This particular conference is going to take a look at five shifts—click the image below to enlarge for reading:
Yeah, I know.

It's like we're all reading from the same Gospels or something.

And yes. It is ironic that they're having a conference about disciplemaking... because you'll never make disciples like Jesus by going to a conference... or running a program.

That's why the first thing I said in this post is:
"Conferences are excuses to get more time with your disciplemaking friends." 
 So what do you say friend? Can you join us?


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Clarifications for PALC Ongoing Next Thursday

Just some quick clarifications for PALC Ongoing, Thursday, August 23rd... in order of importance:

1. Can't find someone from your ministry to come with you? Come by yourself anyway!
The nature of PALC Ongoing this August 23rd is such that it would be ideal if you could bring some others from your ministry with you.

However, if you've tried your best to find someone from your ministry to join you but have not had any success, please read this next part very carefully: I still want you to feel free to be a part of PALC Ongoing on August 23rd.

You coming by yourself isn't ideal... but it is still very good.

PALC Ongoing is your community... these relationships are your relationships... these are your disciplemaking friends. I hope these disciplemaking friendships by themselves are enough to make you want to be a part of PALCO. I can honestly say they are for me. It's not WHAT we're doing at PALCO, it's WHO we get to be with.

2. Want to bring more than one or two with you? Do it!
Several of you have already registered groups of four. We'll make it work if you want to bring more than one or two others with you.

3. Do you care about healthy snacks? Here's your chance.
Jesse Bartz is brining some goodies to munch (thanks Jesse!). Pheaney said he was going to get the coffee (thanks Pheaney!). We still need someone to bring some healthy type stuff. Is it you? Let me know.

4. Have you registered yet? Here's how you can register and secure your spots.
* To register via regular mail, send a check to: Cadre Ministries, PO Box 264, Mossville, IL 61552 and include a note that the check is for PALCO. If you choose this option, send me a quick email to let me know you're coming—so Pheaney brings enough coffee.

5. How can you prepare for our day together? Here's the scoop:
Each person should read 2 Chronicles chapters 29-31 and write down every leadership lesson you can find in those chapters. Do this individually. Make sure everyone you bring does this. Everyone should bring their findings with them on August 23rd. We'll share our learnings with each other then.


Complete details for August 23rd's PALC Ongoing are here.

Can't wait for time with you on August 23rd!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Why You Should Come to PALCO August 23rd and Bring a Friend or Two

I’ve never really appreciated 1,000 piece puzzles. To my pragmatic mind, such trivial pursuits are a waste of time, money, and energy. (In other words, I lack the patience, persistence, and creativity to put one together!) My mother, however, regularly undertakes the task of constructing the most difficult puzzles and—through sheer moxie and fastidiousness—puts every single piece in its proper place until the puzzle is completed.

I’ve noticed that my mom always starts a puzzle project by placing the box cover of the puzzle in plain view so she can continually consult it. Why? Because the cover has the picture of what the completed puzzle will look like in the end. Throughout the entire process, the big picture on the box cover is her constant guide and compass. Eventually, my mom puts the last puzzle piece in its place and ends up with the finished product. She knows she is finished; there are no pieces left over, and the completed puzzle looks exactly like the picture on the cover of the box.

As a ministry leader, you are in the process of putting together a 1,000 piece puzzle called “your ministry.” Isn’t it time you tried to figure out specifically what God wants the box cover of your ministry to look like?

Ah, but taking the time and energy to determine what God wants the big picture of your ministry to look like sounds like a lot of work… doesn’t it?

If you DON’T take the time to figure out what God wants the box cover of your ministry puzzle to look like, you will continue to labor every week not knowing if you’re making any progress. Sure, you’ll conduct a lot of activities in your “program”—but there’s a huge difference between keeping people busy in programmatic activities and making progress toward God’s vision for your ministry.

Here’s a thought: BEFORE you re-launch your ministry this fall, why not try to clearly define what you think God wants you to accomplish through your ministry? (Hint: Can you say, "making disciplemakers"?) Like I said, it’s just a thought. And it IS work.

However, the alternative to doing some God-directed strategic planning for your ministry is to continue doing good—but random—activities and hope that your hodgepodge approach of putting a piece of the ministry puzzle here and a piece there will, in the end, produce a picture that is complete and beautiful.

Yeah… right.


This is exactly why you should come to PALCO on August 23rd and bring a friend or two with you. Why not register RIGHT NOW? Complete details are here. (After you click, scroll down to previous post.)

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Next PALCO: Strategic Leadership, August 23rd

I can't wait for us to reconnect with each other! I need time with you... my disciplemaking friends. Here are the details for our next day long gathering as The Peoria Leadership Community Ongoing...

Date?
Thursday, August 23, 2012

Time?
9 AM to 4 PM

Where?
Crosspoint Church
951 County Road 1625 E
Eureka, IL 61530


What?
In order to use Mapquest, you must know two things:
1. You must know where you are.
2. You must know where you want to go.
Once you know these two things, you can set about the work of strategically moving from where you are to where you want to go.

On August 23rd, PALC Ongoing will take you on a "Ministry Mapquest Adventure."

We call this adventure The Leadership Genius of Hezekiah. It will be a day of strategic leadership planning. Best of all, when we're done, you'll be able to take this training back to your ministry and lead a strategic planning experience.

Who?
This training day will be best for you if you bring 1-2 key people who work with you in ministry. (Yes, you can bring your wife as one of the people from your ministry if you so desire. Sorry, no children.) Most of our time will be invested in wrestling how all this applies to your ministry. You can't wrestle alone. I'm telling you up front now, it will be a long day if you don't have anyone to wrestle with. Want to bring more than 1-2 people? Contact me.

Tuition?
—$50 for you, the ministry leader.
You will get a training manual, the training experience, and a trainer's digital file that includes the presentation and other goodies for doing this training back in your ministry setting. It's a $200 value in resources alone. (Please bring a large jump drive or your laptop!)
—$25 for any guest from your ministry.
Each guest will get a training manual and the training experience.

Registration?
Registration will be on a first come, first serve basis. Once your tuition is paid, you are considered registered. Once you are registered, I will email you some simple, brief, but important prep work I want you to engage before 8/23.
* To register via regular mail, send a check to: Cadre Ministries, PO Box 264, Mossville, IL 61552 and include a note that the check is for PALCO.
(If money is truly an issue for you, let me know and I'll take care of it for you.)

Lunch?
Each person should bring their own lunch.

Can You Help?
We need a couple of people to bring coffee, cream, sugar, and cups... and someone to bring healthy snacks... and someone to bring donuts and goodies for the rest of us who don't care if we die young.


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

New Disciplemaking Blog from Dave Garda!



Here's my new favorite disciplemaking blog.


I'm subscribed.


Are you?



Please save Thursday, August 23, 2012, for a day long gathering!

That means stop reading this right now… and put it on your calendar.  Right now.

More details will be forthcoming next week, but for now let's just say that we're going on a ministry mapquest adventure together! 

It's going to be biblical, fun, experiential, sharpening, and something you will be able to immediately use in your life and ministry.

Friday, July 20, 2012

St. Jude Telethon Support

 
 

From: Doug, Jessica and Jada Rumbold (ncfpastordoug@me.com)

As you may or may not know our daughter has been diagnosed, treated, and now is in remission for Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Kidney, a very rare cancer. St. Jude has been instrumental in our family - please consider a donation of any amount to an organization to which we are extremely thankful.

I will be answering phones July 21st from 8-9 while the St. Jude 35th annual telethon will be televised.   

Hello! I am participating in an event to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  I need your support in order to meet my fundraising commitment.

St. Jude is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world.

No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. The hospital's daily operating costs are $1.7 million, which are primarily covered by public contributions.

You can help me reach my goal by clicking below to make an on-line donation. If you'd prefer to send a check, please e-mail me back and let me know. Checks should be made payable to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

More about St. Jude:

  • St. Jude treats 260 patients every day on an outpatient basis.
  • The hospital maintains 78 inpatient beds.
  • On average 7,800 patients visit the hospital each year, most of whom are treated on an outpatient basis.
  • During the past five years, 81 cents of every dollar received by St. Jude has gone to the current and future needs of the hospital.
  • St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and around the world
  • In 1962, the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer, was 4 percent.

Today, the survival rate for this once deadly disease is 94 percent thanks to research and treatment protocols developed at St. Jude.

Please make your gift today.

To learn more about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, please visit www.stjude.org

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Disciplemaking: Imitation not just information!

Disciplemaking is about imitation… not just information.

(If video doesn't appear, click here.)

For more about a living Jesus-like disciplemaking way of life, go here.


REMINDER:

Please save Thursday, August 23, 2012, for a day long gathering!

That means stop reading this right now… and put it on your calendar.  Right now.

More details will be forthcoming… but for now let's just say that we'll re-engage Jesus, disciplemaking, and each other.

It's going to be biblical, fun, experiential, sharpening, and something you will be able to immediately use in your life and ministry.


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

A Parable About the Church

I got this very interesting article from my friend Shane Stacey. It's a stimulating read titled, A Parable About the Church, by Don Miller. (I'm totally sure what to think about the author, but I love this post.)

I wouldn't pass it along to you if I didn't think it was valuable… especially for to share and discuss with others.

Once you've finished reading the parable, I encourage you to write a question or two for discussion… and share it with our PALCO community by leaving your discussion questions as a comment. That way we can all use them!

And since YOU KNOW I LOVE THE CHURCH in all its many different expressions, you can be sure this is not meant to pick on "the church."

After all, we are the church.

Note: Picture above is of the guys in PALC 7 who will be joining PALC Ongoing this Fall!  Welcome them if you know them!  And please be praying for the formation of PALC 8 this Fall.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Save the Date NOW: 8/23/12

PALC Ongoing Friends:

Please save Thursday, August 23, 2012, for a day long gathering!

That means stop reading this right now… and put it on your calendar.  Right now.

More details will be forthcoming… but for now let's just say that we'll re-engage Jesus, disciplemaking, and each other.

It's going to be biblical, fun, experiential, sharpening, and something you will be able to immediately use in your life and ministry.

Does anyone want to volunteer their facilities for this PALCO?  Let me know.

Now put this date in your calendar… right now.

Can't wait.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Disciplemaker's Journal now on iBooks!

Breaking news: The electronic version of The Disciplemaker's Journal is now available to download from iBooks.  Get now here. Now get those iPads out and haver at it! This electronic version includes a disciplemaking glossary with in-depth explanations, videos, and other fun goodies we couldn't include in the regular hard copy journal.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Youth Ministry 911 or 101? A training lab experience

Note: Here's another special invitation for those who lead youth ministries and volunteers who serve in youth ministry.
On Tuesday, May 22nd, at 10:30 AM at Eysals Coffee, I'm gathering with a few youth leaders to do a two hour training lab called, Youth Ministry 911 or 101?

This is a great training lab for you to take back to the volunteers who serve with you in ministry... especially volunteer small group leaders. Let's face it. Youth ministry gets relationally messy fast. This training lab will give you some nuts and bolts to help you train the volunteers in your ministry to deal with both 911 situations and 101 situations in a healthy and productive manner.

The ONLY requirement to participate in this training lab experience on May 22nd is that you must purchase this resource online BEFORE you arrive at the training. This and this alone secures your spot... and is your only cost for the day... except for the beverage that you'll purchase at Eysals.

Always and invitation… never any pressure.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Training for Student Ministries Leadership Teams

Note: This is a special invitation to PALC Ongoing guys and their student ministries leadership teams (volunteers and key students). If this morning of training is something you and your team want to be a part of, please contact Bill via email to RSVP within the next 7 days.  Space is limited. One week from the date of this blog post, if we have room left, I will be opening this invitation up to a broader circle of friends.
In youth ministry, summer is typically a time of building great relationships.

And where there are great relationships, the potential for disciplemaking is exponential!

What crazy and wonderful things could God do this summer if the volunteers and key students in your youth ministry got caught up in loving God and loving other students? 

Dream about that for a minute… and let that dream put a smile on your face.

Now, where do you begin to make that dream a reality?  Start here:

Saturday morning, June 2nd!
On Saturday morning, June 2nd, Bill Allison of Cadre Ministries will be facilitating an interactive morning of fun, equipping, and encouragement especially targeted for youth leaders (volunteer and paid) and student leaders. This training is intensely biblical and comes right out of the Great Commandment and the disciplemaking heart of Jesus.

What is covered in the training?
* For the outline of the four sessions, go here.

Who should come?
* Youth leaders (volunteer and paid) and student leaders (junior high and older). Note: This is for student ministry leadership TEAMS. No one should come to this training by themselves.

Where is this training going to happen?
* Real Life Church in Central IL.

What time is the training on Saturday, June 2nd?
* 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM with doors opening at 8 AM for registration.

How much does does the training cost?
* Tuition is $20 per person and includes a training manual filled, a take home follow-through living guide, and yummy goodies to eat and beverages. Space is limited. Teams will be accepted in the order they RSVP.
What's the best way to plan this day for your team?
1.  Experience the training as a team in the morning.
2.  Go out together for lunch to a place of your choosing.
3.  After lunch, invest 60-90 minutes working through the group application questions in the training manual to wrestle next steps with your ministry team.

More questions? Contact Bill.