15 Minutes a day that will change your life—and the lives of those you lead—forever

By far the single most important thing I did in 2013 that helped my relationship with God was reading through the Bible—with some friends.

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

I'd like you—my PALCO disciplemaking friends—to join me in creating your own study group (face-to-face and/or online) to read through the Bible—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.

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 dirty-double-dog-dare-you to try 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. I know of one church that decided to read through the Bible together in a year—so they actually started a study-and-share Sunday school class that met weekly. 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 Skype, texting, and 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. To quote Barney: "Everything is better with a friend."

So, are you in? 
If yes, then here are your next steps in starting a group right now...

Download the two-page PDF plan for reading the Bible through in 2014. Please pass the PDF on to your friends and invite them to join you in this guilt-free adventure!

Here's the exact same plan as found in the PDF above as found on Youversion. Youversion makes it possible to not only read the Bible online via your smart phone, iPad, or computer, but you also can read it in whatever translation you choose. Another bonus is that you can also listen to an audio of each day's readings for FREE!

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

FREE Book Download for January 30th PALCO Gathering

On Thursday, January 30, 2014, PALC Ongoing will gather to explore and wrestle how the stories of the Bible are really telling one big true story—the story of God. We'll engage stuff like...
* What exactly is the BIG true story of God?
* How does God's true story intersect with our story?
* Who is the hero of every Bible story?
* How is the Old Testament about Jesus?
* Why is the Gospel not only biblical facts, but also God's true story?
* How can we communicate this story in a compelling/accurate way?
* What does it look like to walk people in our ministries through God's story?
* And much more...

For those of you who really want to make the most of this PALCO day on Janaury 30th, I can't think of better way to prepare yourself than by reading this FREE downloadable book called, The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus.

The author uses this passage of Scripture as the starting point:
"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets [The whole Old Testament], he [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." Luke 24:27
Then the author unpacks and connects the dots in the grand story of God starting with the books of Moses and the Prophets—through the New Testament.

Intrigued? I hope so. Here's the FREE download of the book:
* Go here for Kindle version.
* Go here for iBooks version.
* Go here for PDF version.


Can't wait to wrestle and explore the story of God with you at this upcoming PALCO on Thursday, January 30, 2014.

Note: Stay tuned for more details in forthcoming blog posts.

Our next day long PALCO gathering

Save the Date!

Thursday, January 30th

At the next day long gathering of the Peoria Area Leadership Community Ongoing, we'll be exploring and wrestling how the stories of the Bible are really telling one big true story—the story of God. We'll engage stuff like...
* What exactly is the BIG true story of God?
* How does God's true story intersect with our story?
* Who is the hero of every Bible story?
* How is the Old Testament about Jesus?
* Why is the Gospel not only biblical facts, but also God's true story?
* Much more...

Note: This day long gathering will be for PALCO alumni only.

Stay tuned to this blog for more details.

Put this in your calendar now.

Seriously.

Stop reading and schedule "PALCO" for January 30th RIGHT NOW! Then come back and check out the pictures below...

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Some Pictures from Our Last PALCO on November 2nd...

Click any image to enlarge for viewing...

Save the Date: Saturday AM, Nov 2nd

Click image below to enlarge for viewing.

We had so much fun at our last day long gathering of PALCO (see picture above), we decided to do something like it again!

Only this time, we're just going to gather for the morning.

Love for you and anyone from your ministry to join us.

Complete details here!

PALCO Lunch: Save the Date!

Mark your calendar now for our PALCO Lunch!
* Friday, October 4th
* 11:30-1
* Pizza Ranch in Morton, IL

Come ready to explore and wrestle this question...
What does it mean to be a disciplemaking friend?

Bring your Bible.

Note: You will leave with a simple and powerful training tool you can immediately use with your family, neighbors, coworkers, and ministry.

Here are a few pics of some disciplemaking friendships....

If you email me a pic of your disciplemaking friends, I'll post it here!

MIR: Save the Date!

A special invitation for PALCO...

Unleash God’s Power in Your Relationships!

Love God.  Love people. Indeed, life and ministry are all about relationships!  Developed by Cadre Ministries, this workshop takes you back to the heart of authentic ministry and life change— RELATIONSHIPS! More of a highly interactive learning experience than a passive workshop, you will encounter these sessions and learnings:

* Session 1 No Relationships = No Ministry; 

                    Know Relationships = Know Ministry

An out-of-the-box learning experience will get us started and explain why relationships are the heart of ministry—and God’s mode of operation for impacting and changing the lives of those in our ministry!

* Session 2 God-Powered Relationship Skills

Learn the biblical motivation for building relationships.  Learn the three key relationship skills for connecting with the heart of others.

* Session 3 He That Hath Ears—Let Him Hear!

A listening experience you will never forget—and be able to use in your life and ministry to build relationships.

* Session 4 CLEAN UP Messy Relationships

Learn to use God's relationship cleaning supplies.

In addition, each participant receives a training manual complete with practical application pages, follow-through ideas, an agenda for a large group action plan meeting, AND a twenty-five day devotional guide for individual and small group study on the “one another” verses!

Who should come?

* Anyone junior high through senior citizen.

The High Cost of NOT Training Volunteers: A True Story

Just in case you're wondering WHY you and a few from your ministry should join our PALC Ongoing day together on Thursday, August 22, 2013 (complete details here), read this...


I finish preaching at a church and I am invited to attend a Sunday School class.  Since one of the great passions of my life is to see Jesus-like transformational teaching happen in Sunday Schools and small groups, I say, “Are you kidding? I’d LOVE to.”

I’m escorted to a very nice classroom where about 20 energetic adults are milling around engaged in what seems like good conversation to me. I hear lots of laughter and see lots of smiles. Many of these folks seem to know and love each other. I’m able to meet the volunteer teacher and several other sharp, articulate, and fun-loving people before the class starts. I sense energy in the room. I grab my cup of coffee and donut and find a seat. The subject today: God’s Word on marriage. I think to myself: This is going to be good. I can’t wait to see how this group tackles this.

Ten minutes into the class, the energy, engagement, and enthusiasm that once was, is no more. It feels like someone pulled the plug in a bathtub full of fun, relationships, and learning. The longer the class continues, the stronger the vortex of disengagement becomes. I watch one very sincere and well-studied volunteer teacher stand at the front of the room... and continue to talk. He doesn’t seem to notice that the smiles, energy, and, worst of all, the learning—like Elvis—have left the building. Not once in 50 long minutes is anyone asked to respond or participate. I look around the room to study the glazed-over faces. Just minutes ago, these eyes were lit up as they conversed with each other about God and life.

Not now.

My heart deflates—for both the teacher and those being taught. I ponder the tragedy unfolding before me: an untapped gold mine of biblical understanding and life experience sitting in the room... wasting away... right under the teacher’s nose. I sit and wonder. (I know, I should have been listening to the teacher.) I wonder how any of them may have enriched the learning with a personal story of God at work in their marriage. I wonder if anyone might have a related passage of Scripture to share. I wonder what could have happened—what God might do in our lives—if we could stop the lecture long enough to break into groups of 4-6 people and study what the Bible has to say about marriage for ourselves first... before the teacher tells us. I suspect that a number of those in the class would have something biblical, fun, and pertinent to offer... something life-changing to share.... if only they had a chance.

But they never got a chance.

The class is over now. I walk out of the room and, at my next thought, I feel a slight chill run down my spine: I wonder who will come back next week... and, more importantly, who won’t?

Here’s a wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee moment for you:

The fate of your ministry is in the hands of volunteers. 

It's utterly foolish not to train them well.

Do you need some help training volunteer teachers and small group leaders? Then don't miss our next day long PALCO gathering on Thursday, August 22nd!

Complete details here.

Prayerfully consider about which volunteers you should bring with you!

Becoming a High Impact Leader, Teacher, and Disciplemaker

You should totally round up your staff and key volunteers for our next day long gathering of the Peoria Area Leadership Community Ongoing.

Why?

Because we'll have a blast exploring seven distinguishing characteristics of high impact leaders, teachers, and disciplemakers!


Date?

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Time?

Coffee and goodies at 8:30 AM

Training from 9 AM to 3 PM

Where?
St. Paul Baptist Church
114 W. Forrest Hill Ave
Peoria, IL 61604

Who?

You (PALC alumni) and anyone from your life and ministry you think would really benefit from being a part of this day together—including your wife. (Sorry, no children.) If you're bringing 3 or more people, please just let me know so we can prepare accordingly.

Tuition?

—$50 for you, the ministry leader.

You will get the training experience, a 30 page training manual filled with practical goodies, an audio CD of the training (for review), and a digital file of the training presentation and rights to use the training within your local ministry. You will leave ready to take this training experience back to people in your ministry.

—$25 for any guest from your ministry.

Each guest will get the training experience, a 30 page training manual, and an audio CD of the training (for review).

Registration?

Please register by Monday, August, 19th.
* To register online now for yourself, go here.

* To register online now for guests, go here.

* 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 and something to drink.

Bring?
Be sure to bring your Bible, pen, and lunch.

Can You Help?

We need a someone to bring...
* healthy snacks
* donuts and goodies for the rest of us who don't care if we die young
* coffee

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

Can't wait for this day with Jesus and you.

Begging for a miracle?

"And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. ” Luke 10:15

Consider the fact that Capernaum was witness to MORE of Jesus miraculous work than any place on earth, yet their fate in unbelief is spelled out by Jesus. 

However, a family of missionary servants (found in Acts 2:42-47) attracted and retained people for the Gospel. 

Miracles authenticate the authority and divinity of Jesus (they prove Him to be God in the flesh). 

A family of missionary servants shows that the greatest and most profound miracle is becoming a new creation in Jesus - living out our Gospel identity with others

The Danger of Ignoring Idiot Lights

by Bill Allison

Once upon a time, you and your ministry were so busy that you didn't take time to encourage the hearts and equip the hands of the wonderful volunteers who serve with you.

Even though the "maintenance required" light came on—warning you to stop your flurry of ministry activity long enough to schedule some routine maintenance, you still just kept going.

And you got away with it... for a while.

Then you started to notice the engine of your ministry bogging down. You began hearing weird sounds you'd never heard before. You started smelling some funny smells coming from underneath the hood. But you were still too busy driving to care for your "car." So you just kept driving.

Until... it finally stopped working.

Then you had to call a tow truck. And in that one trip to the mechanic, you spent more than you would have spent in years of little investments in routine upkeep.

And here's the kicker: The car never did really run as well as it once did. The damage was done.

The End.

Or was it the end?

Yes, it was the end. Because no one can ignore the dashboard warning lights of life and ministry continually and get away with it.

 No one.

 It most certainly will catch up with you. It's simply a matter of time.

But... there is another way.

YOUR story doesn't have to have this unhappy ending. You can do something now.

It all starts when you pay attention to the "maintenance required" light screaming for your attention. It's telling you it's time to stop the car of your ministry to encourage the hearts and equip the hands of the volunteers who serve in the ministry with you.

Wouldn't it be better to stop now for a tune up before the long drive this fall?

So here's the BIG question: What are YOU going to do to encourage and equip yourself and the volunteers who serve in ministry with you?

If your answer to this BIG question is, "Nothing," or "We're just too busy," then please reread this article starting at the title.

If your answer to the BIG question is, "I'd love to encourage and equip the volunteers in our church and ministry, but I don't know where to start," then mark you calendar right now for the next PALC Ongoing.


Thursday, August 22, 2013
9 AM to 3 PM 

And start praying about which staff and volunteers you should bring with you!

Why?

Because on August 22nd, we'll explore seven distinguishing characteristics of high impact leaders, teachers, and & disciplemakers.

It's your call. It's your "car."

But think about it.

What does it say about us when we ignore "idiot lights"?

Save This Date Right Now!

What could happen in your ministry if you trained a few volunteers to live out the seven distinguishing characteristics of high impact disciplemakers?

Why not find out!

Save this date right now...

Thursday, August 22, 2013

9 AM to 3 PM 

More info coming your way throughout the summer! Stay tuned...

PALCO Picnic at the Allisons!

When?

Thursday, July 18th, 5 pm to ?

What?

A communal picnic for disciplemaking friends and their families. We'll provide the meat, drinks, and tableware. Each family coming should bring a dish or dessert to share.

Who?

PALC guys and their families.

Fun?

Yes. Yard games, volleyball, and a HUGE swing set for the kids.

RSVP?

To RSVP, please email Bill by Thursday, July 11th and let him know HOW MANY people you are bringing and WHAT DISH OR DESSERT you are bringing to share. Please bring lawn chairs!

This par-tay is gonna be CRA-ZAY!

July 12th Summer Road Trip!

This is your invitation to join me and a few others for a road trip to see an anomaly in youth ministry: junior high students engaging disciplemaking.

Crazy, ain't it?

When?

Friday, July 12, 2013

What?

You'll get a front row seat to the best disciplemaking training experience I've ever seen for junior high/middle schoolers. Complete details about the experience below... so please keep reading!

Where?

Milwaukee, WI.

We'll meet in the morning at my house, spray each other with a heavy dose of Packer repellant, and make our way up to WI. I'll have you home after dinner.

Why should YOU join me?

* I'll drive and care for gas.

* I'll provide the best coffee before we leave.

* We'll get some great car time together. (Can you say, "havering"?)

* I'll care for meals for the first two guys who respond to this.

* It gets you out of the office.

* I'll get you into the training for free.

* I'll get you the training materials for free.

* We can listen to classic Christian rock from the 70s—or not.

What's my agenda?

* Time with you.

* To grow your heart and vision for helping junior high students become disciplemakers.

Contact me if you have any questions or to reserve your spot!

As always, never any pressure, always an invitation.

As promised, here are some pics and details of my experience last year...

Junior high students lead the way in disciplemaking!

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.)

Bring your leaders and students to THIS Equip happening this summer in MI!

* July 19-21, 2013

* Cost: $75

* Contact: Mark O'Brien

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

Contact Cadre Ministries for complete details.

Please Pray RIGHT NOW!

On the left is is our disciplemaking friend and PALCO brother, David Keithley from Christ Church in Normal, IL. Today (April 24th) his teenage son Pete is having heart surgery.

Please pray RIGHT NOW for Pete and David's family.

Then please send text him OR send him an email letting him know you prayed for Pete and the family.

Becoming the Youth Leader Jesus Wants YOU to Be

Planning, programming, and organizing are essential components of a great ministry. But God made you for more. Way more. Good news: You can become the youth leader Jesus wants you to be.

Together, we'll explore...
* How walking closely with Jesus overflows into your friendships
* What a Jesus-like disciplemaking way of life looks like for students and leaders
* Why discipleship is good but disciplemaking is better
* Why relationships matter in disciplemaking
* How to be a disciple who makes disciples who make more disciples

Bring your Bible.

When?

Saturday, April 27th, 8:15 AM to 12 noon

Where?

Evangelical Free Church, Bloomington, IL

Who?

All vocational and volunteer youth leaders.

Cost?

$20 per person

(Each person gets a continental breakfast goodies, coffee, and a ten session take home disciplemaking training resource for continued growth and team training.)

Registration?

To register, contact youth pastor Bill White.

Reminder: Friday, April 19th Collab

We had a crazy time of havering and kavanah at our last PALCO lunch. Whoever said, "There's no such thing as a free lunch" is a liar. John, the owner of Pizza Ranch (pictured below), blessed everyone of the PALCO guys with a FREE lunch baby!  Thank you Jesus and thank you John.

Reminder:

Friday, April 19, 2013 Collab

* Collab is short for collaboration. Someone once defined collaboration as cooperation on steroids. This gathering will be a PALCO disciplemaking think tank where we'll each share...

—what we're learning about D3 disciplemaking at home, work, and ministry

—where our D3 disciplemaking is stuck and how to get unstuck

—stories of three generational disciplemaking

Please prepare a short list of your learnings, sticking points, and successes and bring it with you.

* 9 am to 1 pm

* Contact Bill if you'd like to host this gathering

* For PALC alumni only (NOT open to guests this time)

* While there is no tuition for this gathering, you should plan on going out to lunch together.

* Very Important: Please RSVP with Bill by Friday, April 12th

Save These Two Dates!

Please email me ASAP if you can do either or both of these PALCO times...

1. Tuesday, April 2, 2013 Lunch
* 11:30 am to 1 pm
* We'll meet at The Pizza Ranch in Morton, IL.
* For PALC alumni only (NOT open to guests this time)
* Bring your Bible.
* Come ready to share some of your disciplemaking insights found in 2 Timothy 2:8-26.
* Very Important: Please RSVP with Bill by Monday, April 1st (no fooling)

2. Friday, April 19, 2013 Collab
* Collab is short for collaboration. Someone once defined collaboration as cooperation on steroids. This gathering will be a PALCO disciplemaking think tank where we'll each share...
—what we're learning about D3 disciplemaking at home, work, and ministry
—where our D3 disciplemaking is stuck and how to get unstuck
—stories of three generational disciplemaking
Please prepare a short list of your learnings, sticking points, and successes and bring it with you.
* 9 am to 1 pm
* Contact Bill if you'd like to host this gathering
* For PALC alumni only (NOT open to guests this time)
* While there is no tuition for this gathering, you should plan on going out to lunch together.
* Very Important: Please RSVP with Bill by Friday, April 12th

Two ways to learn into Jesus and friends this Easter

Just couple of ways to lean into Jesus and help others in your sphere of influence do the same—as we approach Easter this year.

1. Read The Merged Gospels sections #214-#299
This section of the life of Jesus is the last week of his life in chronological order. I'm going to read through this section over the month of March. I encourage you to do the same.

2. Gather a few friends to watch and discuss the Bible on the History Channel
I don't know what you're going to do on Sunday nights in March, but we're going to be gathering with family and friends to watch the five part series called The Bible that will be airing on the History Channel. Check out the trailer below...

(If video doesn't appear, go here.)

How closely will this series follow the Biblical narrative? I don't know for sure. But I'm still going to watch. Why? Two reasons: 1) I have it from a reliable source that this won't be a typical History Channel offering. It's an honest attempt at telling the story of Jesus starting in Genesis and ending in Revelation. 2) Because it's going to create great discussion and interaction about who I'm most passionate about—Jesus! Who knows, we might have to actually open our Bibles and engage God and each other  :  ) And that could be life-changing for everyone.

What are you waiting for? You will be given five Sunday nights in March to invite friends who are at various levels of spiritual interest to join you for fun, food, and a conversation starter on God and the Bible. Why not take a page out of the Old Testament and make a party of it? (Okay, it can't be a week long party like many of the Old Testament festivals—but you get the idea.) Whatever you do, don't squander this golden opportunity by watching this series alone.

Friends don't let friends watch this series alone.

Wouldn't it be crazy if after this five part series on the History Channel, people actually began to read the Bible together—discovering God and His story along the way?

More information and details about this five part series on the History Channel here.

Dave & Rennie Garda in Peoria this Friday & Saturday

You and the volunteers who serve with you in ministry are invited to join Cadre for...

Equip Ministries Christian Worker's Conference

Friday and Saturday, February 22-23, 2013
Peoria Christian School in Peoria, IL.

Dave & Rennie Garda, disciplemaking missionaries with Cadre Ministries, will be doing these four disciplemaking training lab experiences on both Friday and Saturday right here in Peoria, IL. Swing by the Cadre booth in the exhibit hall! We'd love to see you!

Session 1
Kavanah: A Mission Disciplemaking Concept

Dave and Rennie Garda (Friday 10:45 AM & Saturday 8 AM Room 213)
Included in this workshop will be a first-century rabbi's disciplemaking glossary and the practical insights needed for God dependent ministry. We'll use youth ministry as an example, but the principles shared will be valued by those who work with families (even our own), children, youth, men and women. We'll explore the first-century teaching and training style of disciplemaking teachers and explore ways to bring these values into our ministries and families.
* This training experience is based on this.

Session 2
Why Youth Ministries Fail and Is Yours Next?
Dave and Rennie Garda (Friday & Saturday 1 PM Room 213)
Encouragement on how to thrive and not just survive the adventure of being a youth worker in 2013. For all volunteer and paid youth leaders. 
* This training experience is based on this.

Session 3 
Pop Goes the Christian! What Makes You Pop Spiritually?
Dave and Rennie Garda (Friday 2:45 PM & Saturday 2:30 PM Room 213)
What is the simplest effective environment for "popping" disciples? Why do some disciples find their way into ministry roles while other believers seem satisfied to pew sit? What are your missing ingredients in your disciplemaking journey? This workshop will be shared in what Cadre Ministries calls a Disciplemaking Learning Community context. We trust that you'll learn as much from how this workshop is shared as you will from the teaching lessons we'll engage.
* This training experience is based on this.

Session 4
For Those Who Are Crazy About Middle School Ministry
Dave and Rennie Garda (Friday 4:30 PM & Saturday 4 PM Room 213)
We'd like to experience a community time of sharing the adventures and insights of the unique challenges of Middle School Ministry (Grades 5-6 and 7-8). We'll share key insights and some free tools to help you, but we want to hear your heart and questions for middle school ministry as well. So call this a 50/50 workshop... 50% planned equipping and encouragement and 50% hearing and learning from one another. Let's come together to learn more about how to engage with the BATTERIES INCLUDED GENERATION.
* This training experience is based on this.

For complete details and registration information, go here.
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Bill Allison will be doing these four disciplemaking training lab experiences on both Friday and Saturday... 

Session 1 
Why Volunteers Quit and What You Can Do About it

Bill Allison (Friday 9:15 AM Room 205 and Saturday 11 AM Choir Room)

Volunteers don't quit ministries... they quit leaders. In this worksho we'll explore seven biblical ways you can keep your volunteer team loving and serving Jesus alongside of you.  If you think this workshop is for someone else, then you probably need it.  The volunteers in your ministry want you to attend this workshop.
* This training experience is based on this.

Session 2
Church Would Be Great If It Weren't for People

Bill Allison (Friday 1 PM Room 205 and Saturday 1 PM Choir Room)

Someone just came to mind when you read the title of this workshop... right?  Loving God is a delight.  Loving people, even people in the church, can be a little more of a challenge.  Yet, God has given us over 40 "one another" verses that instruct us how we should interact with each other.  In this training workshop, we'll explore how to APPLY those one another verses.  Isn't it time to put the OTHER in the one anOTHERs?
* This training experience is based on this.

Session 3 
They're Driving Me Nuts!

Bill Allison (Friday 2:45 PM and Saturday 2: 30 PM Choir Room)
We cause the majority of our own discipline problems in Christian education. Find out why—and more importantly—what you can do about it. Come all ye who are ready to take arsenic... or give it to someone!
* This training experience is based on this.

Session 4 
Why Volunteers Don't Show Up for Meetings

Bill Allison (Friday 4:30 PM and Saturday 4 PM Choir Room)

Having a difficult time getting volunteers to your meetings?  You're not alone.  Learn how to conduct meetings in such a way that volunteers actually choose to show up.  You'll walk away with ten practical ways to make meetings effective and productive.  The volunteers in your church want you to come to this workshop.
* This training experience is based on this.

Next PALCO is Tuesday, February 19th

Ever wonder why we aren't making disciples who make more disciples—who make more disciples—like Jesus?

Think about that question for a moment.

Never before have we had so much ministry activity with so little Jesus-like disciplemaking.

Isn't it time we dared to asked why?

On Tuesday, February 19, 2013, from 9 AM to 2 PM, we'll not only explore WHY, but we'll also explore WHAT the training genius of Jesus looks like applied to your 21st century context.

This par-tay is gonna be C-R-A-Z-Y!  Here are the details...


Date?

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Time?

9 AM to 2 PM

Where?
Real Life Church, 106 Grant Rd, Marquette Heights, IL (North of Pekin, IL)

Who?

You (PALC alumni) and anyone from your life and ministry you think would really benefit from being a part of this day together—including your wife. (Sorry, no children.) If you're bringing 3 or more people, please just let me know so we can prepare accordingly.

Prep?

Working with a few people from your life and ministry, create a prioritized list of reasons we aren't making disciples who make more disciples—who make more disciples—like Jesus. Bring this prioritized list with you on 2/19/13

Tuition?

—$50 for you, the ministry leader.

You will get the training experience and 10 copies of The Training Genius of Jesus so that you can take this training experience back to people in your ministry.

—$25 for any guest from your ministry.

Each guest will get the training experience and 5 copies of The Training Genius of Jesus so that they can take this training experience back to people in their ministry.

Registration?

* To register online now for yourself, go here.

* To register online now for guests, go here.

* 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?

Lunch is being graciously provided by Real Life Church. THANKS REAL LIFE!

Bring?
Be sure to bring your Bible, notebook, pen, and your prioritized list.

Can You Help?

We need a someone to bring...
* 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 with one of these!

Can't wait for this day with Jesus and you.

"Give a man a fish, and you've fed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you won't have to listen to his incessant whining about how hungry he is." —page 10, The Training Genius of Jesus

PALCO Lunch Tuesday January 29th

Mark your calendar now for our PALCO Lunch!
* Tuesday, January 29th
* 11:30-1
* Pizza Ranch in Morton, IL

Come ready to explore and wrestle this question...
How can we live with Jesus-like disciplemaking intentionality when everything in life and ministry wants to pull us off center?

Bring your Bible.

Email Bill Allison ASAP to let him know you're in.

"A student it not above his teacher, but when he is fully trained, he will be like his teacher."
—Jesus in Luke 6:40

Save this Date: Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Day Long PALCO Gathering—9 AM to 2 PM

* Stay tuned to the PALCO blog for more information!