EIL Interviews Dave Ferguson on 'Exponential'

We are thrilled to welcome Dave Ferguson back to the Transformed podcast today! Dave and his brother Jon have written a new book entitled, Exponential – How you and your friends can start a missional movement.” We, at Eagles In Leadership, believe this book is a ‘game changer’ for the church and its accomplishment of the Mission of Jesus Christ.

In this interview, Dave discusses …

  • How the book Exponential is truly ‘all about the mission!’
  • The 3 questions one needs to ask to discover what God is up to in your world.
  • The fact that vision becomes compelling when you start sharing the ‘God-things’ with others.
  • How important it is to be affirmed when it comes to doing the mission of Jesus and to be told ‘you can do it!’ by others.
  • The huge take-away concept of every leader becoming a reproducing leader.
  • How no one is allowed to move up in leadership at Community Christian Church if they have not reproduced themselves.
  • The leadership path that is  the dynamo of the entire Exponential movement.
  • The idea of an apprentice; what is an apprentice and how does this work?
  • How this reproducing concept becomes essential when it comes to artists.
  • What Dave and Jon mean by ‘reproducing tribes’ and how is that essential for fulfilling the mission of Jesus and creating a movement of God’s people.
  • From these tribes, one moves forward to reproducing larger communities of faith and then movements to accomplish the mission of Jesus.
  • The details of going through these stages creating a movement that is all about having a ‘reproducing mindset and strategy’ as part of the church DNA.
  • And so much more …

You can check out the book and order a copy of the book Exponential here.

You can check out the Exponential book videos here.

You can check out Community Christian Church here.

You can read Dave’s Blog here.

You can check out the New Thing Network here.

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Steve Reynolds Talks About a 'Bod4God'!

What a joy to welcome Steve Reynolds to the podcast today. Steve has served as the senior pastor of Capital Baptist Church in Annandale, Virgina sine 1982. He launched a weight-loss campaign in his church and community after he lost more than 100 pounds.

Steve had been overweight all his life. In fact, he weighed more than 100 pounds in the first grade! After playing football during high school and college, he vowed never to exercise or run laps again. That was one promise he kept, ballooning to 340 pounds and staying there for years.

Driven by his declining health, Steve began to study Scripture. He discovered four keys to unlock the door to health and fitness.

Dr. Matthew Lee Smith of Eagles In Leadership recently spoke with Steve about how we can ‘start losing and start living.’ In this interview Dr. Smith shares some of his successes as well using Steve’s methods.

You can purchase a copy of Bod4God here.

You can learn more about Steve Reynolds ministry here.

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Save Now on Moody Pastors' Conference 2011!


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EIL Interviews Clayton King on 'Dying to Live'

We are thrilled to welcome Clayton King to the podcast today. Clayton is a pastor, evangelist, missionary and author. Today we talk about his new book, Dying to Live.

Dr. Matthew Lee Smith of Eagles In Leadership spoke with Clayton a few days ago about ‘abandoning yourself to God’s bold paradox’ and what it means to ‘die in order to live.’ We know your spirit will be excited as you listen to this interview.

Clayton has been dedicated since age 14 to proclaiming the gospel and calling Christians to live out the life of Jesus. As founder and president of Crossroads Worldwide, he has spoken to millions of people in 30-plus countries and helped organize missions to such places as Haiti, the Himalayas and India. Clayton loves good books, the outdoors, strong coffee, dirt bikes and four-wheelers, and especially his wife and children.

We heartily recommend that you purchase Dying to Live here.

You can learn more about Clayton King here.

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The Cancer of Complaining

by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

“Must you always complain!” I wanted to say. There I was again, listening to another person who seemed to have the spiritual gift of complaining. This one was taking it to an art form!

“Now the when people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, the Lord heard it and his anger was kindled. Then the fire of the Lord burned against them, and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.” Numbers 11:1 (New Revised Standard Version)

How often do we forget that the Lord hears all, including our complaining. Even less often do we think about the emotional response our complaining brings to the Lord. Here, we discover that our complaining kindles the anger of the Lord!

As the redeemed, we are to be different! We are to have a spirit about us that personifies …

“the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17 (New King James Version)

One of the keys to this spirit of wisdom is expressed by Paul when he says …

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” Philippians 4:11 Emphasis mine. (New King James Version)

When the cancer of complaining infects to true Christ-follower, we must admit it is not pretty! Yet we are able to change our perspective and focus our attitudes! That is the difference that separates us from the unredeemed. We have the Holy Spirit’s supernatural presence and power to transform us.

“A drowning man does not complain about the size of a life preserver.” When I read this quote several years ago I was reminded that any time I complain I am simply ungrateful! Ungrateful to God for His wisdom and will in my life. Like the current cliché, “All I need is some cheese to go with my whine!”

My youngest daughter, Hannah, collects the Eeyore character, out of the Winnie the Pooh cartoons. She has several of them. Best known for his “gloom and doom” spirit, Eeyore always sees the gray cloud in every silver lining!

How often do we, as the children of God, draw the rain clouds about us? Whining and complaining begins to take its toll on us. People no longer stop by. After all, who wants to spend their time under a rain cloud? Pretty soon, we find our list of friends smaller than the number of fingers on our right hand. Or as John Peers puts it, “The squeaky wheel doesn’t always get greased; it often gets replaced!”

Consider yourself for a moment. Do you claim the Name of Jesus? Then another thought if you would. Do you possess an attitude of gratitude or are you caught in a rumbling of grumbling?

Perhaps you will be as warned from our Father who is “the same yesterday, today and forever” as I was when I read these words:

“The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above.” Numbers 14:29 (New King James Version)

Beware the cancer of complaining! Surely Lucifer is afoot! Instead …

“draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8 (New King James Version)

If you will, then it will be said of you …

“the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:52 (New King James Version)

To God be the glory!

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7 Issues That Determine Church Size

At its inception, the church was a Mega-church (Acts 2). Granted, as it was being planted it started small (the twelve), but it grew (the 70) until it reached a solid core (120). Bathed in prayer and empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter preached and the Church of Jerusalem grew to 3,000 plus in membership. Over time, the size of the church continued to grow as it followed Jesus’ commands.

As many of you know, Melodee and I are currently in between ministries and seeking God’s next step for our lives. As we look for and listen to various opportunities, we have detected some areas that resurface in our investigations. Each area seems to determine the size of the church we investigate.

The issue of theology – “Fortress Mentality” or “Great Commission” oriented: How a church views God’s Word impacts a whole gamut of attitudes and actions. Theology that sees the church losing the battle in the grand scheme will regress and seek to escape from the world. On the other hand, a church that sees a victorious Christ and a mandate to conquer the world will forge their mission into every area of their world.

The issue of methodology – regressive or progressive: Theology influences and often breeds methodology. When the church fears the coming invasion of evil its methods are survival in nature. If a church believes the power of the invincible Christ, their methods are heroic at least!

The issue of focus – ingrown vs. outwardly focused: Closely related to the issue of methodology is the issue of focus. As the years pass by, “Fortress Mentality” theological and regressive methodological issues take their toll. No longer – if they ever did – does the ingrown church look to reach the lost no matter the cost. However, if our theology reverberates with the God of love and the call of his heart from the beginning: “Adam, where are you?” the church will do all it can to reach the lost.

The issue of change – entrenched or willing: Key to church size is the issue of change. While the Gospel never changes, culture and receptivity issues are always in flux. Since the world around us is changing every 18 months or so, being willing to reach out to those without Christ using innovation in a relational manner is critical to growth in the local church.

The issue of demographics – sparsely vs. densely populated: A church can only grow as large as the population of their surrounding community. Rural churches may remain small because of this limitation. However, in a larger city or metroplex, a small church indicates another issue.

The issue of preferences – my likes vs. my sacrifices: Often, at the core of small churches, is the issue of preferences. Usually, a powerful group holds on to the reigns of the church – wreaking unholy havoc and throwing temper tantrums when anyone desires to change something not to their liking. The obvious result of such an approach is division, strife and shrinkage. Growing churches, on the other hand are willing to reinvent themselves and put the needs of the community before their own; thus, growth happens.

The issue of generosity – misers or generous: Sometimes church growth is directly tied to the generosity of its membership. The mission of Jesus is only accomplished when a significant number of God’s people reject the affluent lure of our culture and sacrifice their time, talents and treasures so that their church has the resources to accomplish the mission of Jesus.

While this list is not exhaustive, it is suggestive. It is quite possible that while you were reading this ideas and experiences came to your mind. Would you like to add to this list or share your experience? Please feel free to comment …

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Ed Stetzer Talks About Transformational Churches!

Churches committed to following Christ’s example want this world changed for the sake of eternity. While the supernatural piece of making that happen goes without saying, how does a body of believers do its part to be in that “sweet spot” where true spiritual transformation occurs?

In Transformational Church, best-selling research authors Ed Stetzer and Thom S. Rainer survey fifty thousand churches—then narrow the scope down to five hundred congregations—for a qualitative answer. Their book, the most comprehensive study of the modern American church to date, contains a wealth of indispensable new data, nuanced insights, and how-to guidance, all centered on this key finding:

“Transformational churches make disciples whose lives are being transformed by the gospel, so that people engage the culture around them for its ultimate transformation. Deeply committed to the essential foundations of discipleship (worship, community, and mission), transformational churches practice their faith and make disciples through vibrant leadership, prayerful dependence upon God, and relational intentionality. And they do so paying mind to their unique context and with a missionary mindset.”

About the book …

Dr. Smith says, “YOU SHOULD BUY SEVERAL COPIES OF THIS BOOK! I have read at least 100 books on the church in my ministry years. It is not a stretch to say that this book is biblical, practical and well researched. The weaving of the seven traits of transformational churches is well balanced by stories and explanations, without providing programs and ‘reproducible templates’ by which the cultural nuances would be lost in their reproduction. This is an excellent book and a powerful read for those who are serious about the church in the coming decade or more. Thank you for beginning the discussion and reviving hope for the church. I look forward to more on this!

“Transformational Church should be the first book you read this year if church health and growth are your priorities. Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer have written one of the most researched, biblical, practical and hopeful books on the church in years!”

~ Matthew Smith, founder and director of Eagles In Leadership

You can order your copy of Transformational Church here.

About the Authors …

Ed Stetzer is director of LifeWay Research and missiologist in residence at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee. He holds two masters, two doctoral degrees, and has written dozens of articles and acclaimed books including Planting Missional Churches, Breaking the Missional Code, Comeback Churches, and Lost and Found. Ed and his wife have three daughters.

Thom S. Rainer is president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, one of the largest Christian resource companies worldwide, and the best-selling coauthor of Simple Church, Essential Church, and Simple Life. Rainer and his wife, Nellie Jo, have three grown sons and live in Nashville, Tennessee.

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MIKE POWERS INTERVIEWS LUIS PALAU!

World evangelist and author Luis Palau (loo-EES puh-LAOW) and his ministry have shared the Gospel with more than 1 billion people through evangelistic events and media. He has spoken in person to more than 25 million people in 72 countries with more than 1 million registered decisions for Jesus Christ.

His radio broadcasts in both English and Spanish are heard by millions more on 3,000 radio outlets in 48 countries. His outstanding and significant contribution to the field of Christian communications was recognized in 2008 with the National Religious Broadcasters William Ward Ayer Distinguished Service Award.

Mr. Palau has authored close to 50 books and countless articles on issues of faith, and has counseled with business and political leaders and heads of state around the world. Luis Palau festivals have produced some of the largest audiences ever recorded in cities from south Florida to South America.

His ministry also includes the Next Generation Alliance®, created to grow and nurture partner evangelists, and the Livin It® Alliance, which uses action sport ministries, film and video to reach young people for Christ. His latest book, A Friendly Dialogue Between an Atheist and a Christian, quickly became a bestseller in China and released in the United States in February, 2008.

Luis and his wife, Pat, live in Portland, Oregon, where they have eleven grandchildren and four sons, three of whom are actively involved with the ministry.

For more information about Luis Palau, check his website

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The Christian Atheist – A MUST Read!

Craig Groeschel has written a book called The Christian Atheist – and I believe it is a MUST read for all who call on Jesus.

The Christian Atheist is quite an eye-catching title – one that seeks to encourage us to live the Christ-life, without hypocrisy. Christian atheism is best explained as where people believe in God but live as if he doesn’t exist. You will enjoy Craig’s great writing style – he communicates very well in this book using humor liberally.

Christian Atheism takes on many characteristics, and Craig lists 12 in his book.

  • When you believe in God but really don’t know him
  • When you believe in God but are ashamed of your past
  • When you believe in God but aren’t sure he loves you
  • When you believe in God but not in prayer
  • When you believe in God but don’t think he’s fair
  • When you believe in God but won’t forgive
  • When you believe in God but don’t think you can change
  • When you believe in God but still worry all the time
  • When you believe in God but pursue happiness at any cost
  • When you believe in God but trust more in money
  • When you believe in God but don’t share your faith
  • When you believe in God but not in his church

Early in Craig’s life, in a backyard vacation Bible school, Craig chose NOT to go to hell – so he ‘accepted’ Christ. However, as he moved into high school his ‘faith’ was disconnected from his lifestyle. It wasn’t until a low point in college, after reading his Bible, that he realized that being a Christian was a lifestyle, not a label. Whispering to God, “Take my life,” God did; and, as he says, “For the first time in my life, I believed in God and began to live like he is real.”

Groeschel takes his stand on clear Scripture and talks about how ‘as you get to know him better, you will change.’ This is at the center of the entire idea of The Christian Atheist.

As Craig wraps the book up, he issues us a challenge entitled ‘Third Line Faith,’ a challenge God first gave to him. With three lines in the sand, God asked Craig if he would step over the third line – each line representing a clear belief system and choice:

Line 1: I believe in God and the gospel of Christ enough to benefit from it.

By this he means, “We want God’s benefits without changing how we live. We want his best, without our sacrifices.”  Concerned this may not be real Christianity Craig pressed on to understand the second lifestyle choice he could make …

Line 2: I believe in God and Christ’s gospel enough to contribute comfortably.

Here he understood that his belief in God was “not only enough to benefit [from] but also enough to give back – as long as it doesn’t cost too much.” Realizing this was where he was at the moment God was speaking to him, he longed for the lifestyle of those who step across the third line …

Line 3: I believe in God and Christ’s gospel enough to give my life to it.

He says, “Although most people I knew were line-one and line-two believers, suddenly anything less than line three didn’t seem like real Christianity to me. Could I give my whole life to Christ? Not only in words but in my daily life?” Through a series of decisions and choices, Craig finally crossed the third line, and now he asks you to do the same and allow him to “welcome [you] to true Christianity.”

This book is for anyone courageous enough to admit to their hypocrisy. It pushes you, challenges you, and disturbs you. And if you are honest before God the lessons in this book will help you shed some of your hypocrisy as it did for me.

You can order your copy of the Christian Atheist here.

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The Paralysis of Fear

(Names have been changed to protect privacy.)

(c) 1999 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Every eagle leader knows the fear that comes when someone says, “I need to speak with you,” in that certain tone of voice. “What did I do now?” often runs through our minds. What is almost impossible to bear is when they say, “Not today, maybe tomorrow.” How many nights have we spent fretting and wondering, paralyzed by the fear of the unknown?

It was late on a Sunday evening, as we were finishing up a full day of ministry, when one of the elders asked to talk to me many years ago when I was a young pastor. “I don’t have time right now. Could we get together this week? I have some concerns I’d like to talk over.” What could I say but, “Sure.” Read more …

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