Better Together

The Impact of One Association – Duane Littlefield

The mission board of the Salem Association of Florida had a desire to help the churches within its association. They sought ways they could work with churches and partner with them to meet needs. Now, people are taking notice of the revitalization taking place in those churches.

Pastor Duane Littlefield of 1st Free Will Baptist Church of Malone discusses steps the association took to reach out to those churches in need and bring new life to their ministry.

Do I Really Need a Church Website? - Joshua Riggs

“My goal in this series is to help you understand the basic functions of a church website: why you need one, who should maintain it, what kind of content should be on the site, what kind of tools you should use, and more.”

 

Joshua Riggs begins a six-part series all about church websites. Part one explores the question of whether or not a church needs a website if it already has a Facebook page. Joshua is the creator of WorshipResources.church and worship pastor at Bethany Church. #NAFWB

Why Give to the Welch Offering – David Williford

“Last year the average student at Welch, because of contributions to the Welch Fund, their total tuition bill was decreased by around $6,000 per student.”

David Williford of Welch College talks about the history of the Welch Offering (back to the days of Paul Ketteman) and how the offering continues to benefit students and the advancement of Christian higher education.

The 2022 Welch College offering is Sunday, February 27. Plan to receive a special offering at your church that will directly help reduce tuition costs for students. Find more ways to give to the college at https://welch.edu/give/. #NAFWB

Ministering From Your Strengths - Dr. Gordon Penfold

“Before COVID, we estimated that 80-85% of churches were plateaued or declining when it came to worship attendance.”

Dr. Gordon Penfold has studied and found some defining characteristics and behaviors of pastors in revitalized (or declining) churches, using the Birkman assessment tools in his research. He wrote the book “Pastor Unique” based on his findings. Buy the book: https://www.pastorunique.com.

Dr. Penfold is one of the founders of TurnaroundPastor.com. #NAFWB

Developing a Healthy Volunteer Culture – Josh Bennett

“We connect serving to the Gospel. No matter whether somebody is cooking lunch for an event or watching kids in the nursery, there needs to be a clear connection to how this is impacting the Gospel."

Josh Bennett describes how his church has created a community of serving where volunteers are trained, equipped, and appreciated. Josh is lead pastor of Awaken Church and a church planter with Free Will Baptist North American Ministries. #NAFWB #Give

What You Can Do to Comfort Others – David Lytle

”The better approach is to just meet them where they are, and to grieve along with them, to sit with them.”

In part two of our interview with David Lytle, he recounts how the Church stepped up to help he and his family in their time of grief. He also shares some dos and don’ts on how we can best comfort others in their time of mourning. #NAFWB #Train

Surviving Grief – David Lytle

David Lytle lost both his wife and young son within a matter of a few years to unexpected medical diagnoses. In part one of this two-part interview, he shares his story of how he was able endure through the sorrow and grief.

Part two of the interview will air this Thursday on the Better Together Podcast. #NAFWB #Train

Ministering to the Stranger - Casey Jones

“God has brought the nations here. Today, there are more displaced people groups than any time in human history. God is moving these nations all around…and they are at our doorstep.”

Casey Jones discusses how he founded American Dream Center in 2017 to reach the world by ministering to immigrants and internationals in his city. Find more information about American Dream Center at http://amdreamcenter.com. #NAFWB #Reach

Seizing Gospel Opportunities - Clint Morgan

"If [internationals] are there in your community, in your city and you encounter them, as a believer, just think 'I want that encounter to be a good encounter.'"

Clint Morgan, general director of IM, Inc., discusses opportunities believers have to spread the gospel to the nations in their own neighborhoods and communities. #NAFWB #Reach

Becoming a Sending Church - Josh Baer

“When we partner with people that are taking the Gospel to places we could never touch, we are truly partners in the Gospel with them to see the Kingdom expanded…it’s even more special when we celebrate it as people are actually literally going out from our congregation.”

Since 2015, Cramerton Church has sent out church planters and missionaries to California, Kenya, and Alaska. Pastor Josh Baer talks about the “sending culture” of the church.

Josh also presented a seminar at the 2021 Leadership Conference entitled “Letting Go: Developing a Sending Culture in Your Local Church,” available for download at https://nafwb.org/2021-leadership-conference/. #NAFWB