A Psalm Filled With Longing

Psalm 84, this week's Psalm on the prayer sheet.

 

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Hope to Share With Our Muslim Friends

2026 CMC Workshop

In Christ, we can and should be passionate when talking with Muslims.

What should we should share.

• About our faith in Christ: 
• We have a certain hope of love, forgiveness from God 
• We know the Living God who has defeated death in Christ 
• Because God Himself is Just (1 Jn 1:9), and He will wipe away every tear at injustice 
• Hope (Colossians 1:5) - Christ our hope in life and death
• Hospitality (Romans 12:13), humor and JOY in God (Zephaniah 3:17) 
• The difference between man and woman from the Bible (Gen 1:27); Christian marriage’s picture (Eph 5:25-31) 
• Help honoring the ‘emperor’ - God is Father, so we can submit in a godly way (Rom 13) 
• Honor instead of shame, 1 Peter 1:7 - Honor for those who hold fast to faith in Christ
• Forgiveness from God at the cross (Ephesians 1:7) 
• Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23), who answers prayers (John 15:1-7)

How to witness to Muslims

• Use the Bible
• Proverbs
• Encounters with Christ, tell the story of the Gospel
• Use online Biblical resources (Jesus film, etc)
• Pray
• Don't argue!

How to witness to Muslims

• With other Christians
• One-on-One with a Muslim friend of the same sex
• Personally - recent answers to prayer
• Offer hospitality and friendship
• Reading the Bible in our home:  great first step!
• Persistence

Bibliography

• Georges Houssney (2010).  Engaging Islam. Treeline Publishing
• Samuel S. Schlorff.  Muslim Ideology and Christian Apologetics (www.answering-islam.org/Christians/schlorff2.html, accessed Feb 9, 2026)
• Ayman S. Ibrahim, & Ant Greenham. (2023).  Islam and the Bible:  Questioning Muslim Idiom Translations.  B&H Academic.

Let's Talk Politics

2026 CMC Workshop by Dave Rodgers, from Trinity Baptist Church

Here are four important words/attitudes to remember on this topic and any topic where there may be differing views. 

• Prayerful
• Biblical
• Humble
• Loving

Was the most recent presidential election the biggest election ever?

Yes and No

It is not surprising that non-Christians view the next election as the most important one ever. 

They have no real, future, eternal hope.

Let's look at two passages of scripture, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament, to help us think about this topic.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" is often thought of as an instant blessing.  In verses 4 through 11, we see the Israelites living in exile for 70 years, building homes, planting gardens, marrying, and having children.

For context, read Jeremiah 29:4 - 11 HERE.

God commanded Israel, while they were in Babylonian Exile, to

• build houses and live in them
• plant gardens and eat their produce
• marry and have children
• seek the welfare of the city where God sent them
• pray to the Lord on the city's behalf

In verse 10, God says this captivity will be for 70 years.

The bottom line is to be completely where you are, as long as God has you there, for God's glory.

Romans 13:1—7

Here are two sermon resources on this passage: 

• HERE is a link to Trinity's Romans series.  LIsten to the sermons on Romans 13:1 - 4 and 5 - 10. 

• Six part sermon series from John MacArthur - www.gty.org/sermons/series/127/the-christian-and-government

Remember,

God is holy and sovereign.

Man is sinful and dependent on God. 

Government is a divine institution authorized by God.

The purpose of government is to ensure the common good.

Christians are to be good citizens.

The solution to political apathy is not political idolatry.

The solution to political idolatry is not political apathy.

Resources from How Can I Love Church Members with Different Politics by Leeman & Naselli

1. Adjust expectations.
2. Recognize what unites a church and what belongs to the domain of Christian freedom.
3. Understand the difference between straight-line and jagged-line issues.
4. Respect those who have a different conscience on jagged line issues.
5. Remember what is most important.

Quotes from What Do I Say When…? by Walker & Walker

“Changing your world doesn’t happen by complaining but by slow plodding and persuasion.”  

“Apathy and obsession are equally alike in being the wrong approach to political engagement.”  

“Political engagement is a forum for loving one’s neighbor by seeking your neighbor’s flourishing. Christians should not engage in politics for the sake of their own interests of what causes all people to have the best chance to prosper.”

God vs. Government by Busenitz & Coates

• Supreme Allegiance:  Psalm 118; Daniel; Acts 5:29
• Sovereign Appointment:  Daniel 4:32; Romans 13:6; 1 Timothy 1:17
• Secular Animosity:  Matthew 10:16—20; Luke 12:8—12; Jesus was falsely accused; Acts 5:40—42
• Submissive Attitude:  Romans 13:1—7; 1 Timothy 2:1—8; Titus 3:1—2; 1 Peter 2:13—17
• Spheres of Authority
• Parents in family matters
• Belief in church (ecclesiastical matters), Government in civil matters

Five Categories of Times When it is Appropriate or Even Necessary for Believers to Disobey Governments: 

• An order to do what is wrong
• An order to stop doing what is right
• An order that contradicts another level of civil authority
• An order to stay silent in the face of evil
• An order to turn yourself in

Conscience: What It Is, How To Train It, and Loving Those Who Differ by Naselli & Crowley 

Contains a great chart Paul’s Solution of Love.

Resources:

• Tough Questions class posts.  Adapt as needed for your setting: drodgersjr.blogspot.com/search/label/Tough%20Questions
• Caring for One Another by Ed Welch.  This book is not specifically about politics, but it is a great resource for caring for others for God's glory.
• Conscience:  What It Is, How to Train It and Loving Those Who Differ by Andrew Naselli and J.D Crowley.
• God vs. Government:  Taking a Biblical Stand When Christ and Compliance Collide by Nathan Busenitz and James Coates
• How Can I Love the Church Members with Different Politics by Jonathan Leeman & Andy Naselli
• How the Nations Rage by Jonathan Leeman
• Just Thinking About the State by Darrell Harrison and Virgil Walker
• The Story of Abortion in America by Marvin Olasky & Leah Savas
• What Do You Say When...?  A Parent's Guide to Navigating Cultural Chaos for Children and Teens by Andrew Walker and Christian Walker.  Specifically, the chapters about political engagement and abortion.
• What Every Christian Needs to Know About Social Justice by Jeffrey Johnston.

CMC Workshop Feedback Info

We take the feedback we receive seriously, which is one of the reasons we want to share some general feedback based on the evaluation information.

This post's goal is not to go through evaluations point by point.  WIth the conference being only a once-a-year event, this is will hopefully provide a good reminder.

This post has a couple of sections:  (1) Definitely Possible Future Ideas, (2) Repeated Responses, (3) Reminder of CMC's Purpose, (4) General Comments as We Look Ahead.

(1) Definitely Possible Future Ideas

We want the conference to be theological, which means honoring God, proclaiming Jesus, depending on the Holy Spirit, and staying true to the Bible.  

Each year, there are a variety of topics suggested, and we try to incorporate some of these into the upcoming. Two suggested workshops we would love to offer are (1) A nursery-themed workshop. Your church's nursery can be so much more than child care.  (2) Improving communication in the local church.  This could include weekly announcements and social media.  It would be great to have some workshops on these topic.  If you know of someone who could lead one, please use the conference contact page  -grchurchministriesconference.com/contact/

(2) Repeated Responses 

Often, there are repeated requests to offer more on a specific topic.  We are very excited that people are passionate about specific ministry areas.  We also want to help people grow into even healthier church members, and this involves growth in areas like discipleship and counseling.  When there is an obvious need, we will increase the number of workshops on a specific topic, but in the meantime, look for general topics that would be helpful in a specific ministry area.  This is why we added the codes to indicate other ministry areas and the track graphics to help with planning.

    

(3) Reminder of CMC's Purpose

From the later start on Friday, which provides opportunities for lay ministry leaders and workers to attend on a workday, to the late Friday night and early Saturday, which allows us to pack in as much as possible into one weekend, we try to be purposeful.

(4) General Comment about the Church, Curricula, Camps, Parachurch Ministries, and More

Remember, curricula, camps, parachurch ministries, and other similar things are good and helpful.  Also, remember, the church is God's Plan A, and there is no Plan B.

9Marks published a series of posts called "Five Reasons We Don't Disciple."  Part 3 stated that one reason Christians and churches don't disciple is that they are program-dependent.  You can read the whole article HERE. The article contains some great things to remember.  "A program - however biblically faithful - is no substitute for ongoing, personal discipling." "Programs can imply that discipleship is a matter of following the correct 'process' rather than cultivating the correct character."  At the Church Ministries Conference, many workshops share a general theme of the Bible and discipleship.  And many of the workshops have specific program themes.  Let's always remember that very specific areas are not meant to be the church's focus.  They are means/ways to do the work of the ministry - glorifying God and helping others do the same.

The work of the ministry is done for God's glory in God's strength with God's Word for the good of others.  Let us remember that.   

Your feedback from 2025 led to some new workshop speakers and two Q & A workshops and the Missions/Evangelism lunch meeting.  We are looking to improve these opportunities for more people to give and share ideas.

Thank you so much for being part of the Church Ministries Conference. We look forward to seeing you next year, March 12 and 13.  And continue sharing your feedback.

Leaders Are Readers

 

from www.reftoons.com

2026 CMC Workshop by Jim Jeffery, from Chapel Pointe

2 Timothy 4:13

"Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come - and the books, especially the parchments."

Reading is a conversation with the author.

Leroy Eims, in his excellent book entitled Keeping off the Casualty List, wrote, "Shortly after I became a Christian, I got the idea that it was wrong to read anything but the Bible. Waldron Scott sat down and straightened me out. "Would you spend an hour with men like Andrew Murray, George Muller, and Charles Spurgeon?" He asked? "Of Course," I replied. "Well, that's what their books enable you to do," he explained. "You can learn from their experiences and in their books, they can share with you what God has taught them." (Eims, Leroy; Keeping off the Casualty List; Victor; pg 65)

Why Read

Warren Wiersbe said, "Never underestimate the power of a book."

According to one authority, for every word in Hitler's Mein Kampf, 125 lives were lost in WWII. (2 Wiersbe, Warren; Victorious Christians You Should Know; Victor; pg. 10)

The man who doesn't read books has no advantage over the man who can't read them. Mark Twain

Read for comprehension- understand what you read - read for ideas not words (3 DePorter, Bobbi; Quantum Learning: Dell Trade Paperback; pe. 264)

Read for speed - increase your intake.

"When you read one word at a time, your brain has to work much harder to make sense of it. Reading one word at a time is like trying to discover what a boomerang looks like by examining its individual molecules. Instead of reading each word, get the big picture by looking at entire phrases, sentences, and paragraphs." (3 DePorter, Bobbi; Quantum Learing: Dell Trade Paperback; pe. 264)

Read for retention - remember what you read.

Read for transformation - change in your life.

Read for teaching - share it with others.

Read for enjoyment

A book is like a garden carried in your pocket. Chinese Proverb

How To Read

Don't highlight or underline - use lines, brackets, dots

Don't regress

Pace your reading - based on material, interest, and value

• Skim.
• Scan
• Speed reading
• Slow reading

Francis Bacon "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to chewed and digested; that is some are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly; and with diligence and attention." (5 Bacon, Francis; "Of Studies" Essays or Counsels Civil and Moral in Selected Writings of Francis Bacon, ed. Hugh G. Dick (New York: Modern Library) 1955 pg. 129)

Preview a book

• Title
• Author - background, qualifications
• Publication Date
• Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Author's Topic, Point of View, Purpose 
• Conclusion
• Bibliography
• End Notes
• Index

Scan the Book - Chapter headings, subheadings, key words, bold print,

Pre-read a chapter (6 Power Reading; Phyllis Mindell; Ed.D; Simon& Schuster; 1993)

• Scan
• Structure
• Titles and Subtitles
• Headings and subheadings
• Abstracts, summaries, and conclusions
• Key Ideas

Read

Read critically

• Thesis - What is being said? (idea),
• Argument - How is it being said? (understanding).
• Evaluation - Is it true? (criticism)
• Significance - What of it? (personal growth) (Adler, Mortimer; Van Doren, Charles; How to Read a Book; MJF Books; pg. 46-47)

Review

• Synthesize

Reflection

• "To read without reflection is like eating without digestion." Edmund Burke

Notes or Charts

Margin Notes

Data Base

When to Read

Plan times to read Read in Snatches

Keep book in various locations

Keep a book with you

Make reading a priority and a pleasure

Reading on wise and virtuous subjects is, next to prayer, the best improvement of our hearts. It enlightens us, calms us, collects our thoughts, and prompts us to better efforts. We say that a man is known by the friends he keeps, but a man is known even better by his books.

William Law, Christian Perfection

Other suggestions

• Frequent Libraries & Book Stores
• Take a Speed Reading Course 
• Make friends of other Readers
• Keep a list of books you want to read

Two books that have helped me the most on reading:

• How to Read a Book: Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren, MIF
• The Evely Wood Seven-Day Speed Reading and Learning Program; Stanley D. Frank ED.; Barnes & Noble Press

Legal Issues Workshop Resources

Sally Wagenmaker, attorney at law from Wagenmaker & Oberly, LLC, was disappointed that she was not able to do her scheduled workshop at this Church Ministries Conference.

She sent several articles and resources to help churches think through various legal issues.

Here is the note she sent.

On my workshop topic of keeping churches and other ministries safe, attached are several articles that you are welcome to distribute as you deem best, perhaps for those people who may have registered for this workshop or otherwise express interest in this topic.  Here is some related information about them:

1. W&O Memo on Personal Protection Devices -  addressing key legal aspects, including potential liability for paid staff and volunteers, with resulting recommendations including appropriate safeguards. 
2. Church Law & Tax article - focusing on worship-related disruptive activities;
3. Four W&O blogs articles (also available online at our W&O website) - providing practical pointers and related legal considerations; and
• A Sanctuary Secured:  7 Essentials Steps
• Church Safety Legal Guide
• Handling Threats and Disturbances
• “Shepherd - Sustain - Send” 
4. Model workplace violence prevention plan - applicable within and beyond the work context, with extremely detailed guidance, resulting from California’s new mandatory work-related training and protectionmeasures (and potentially applicable in other states, on a voluntary basis).

I would particularly commend the “Shepherd - Sustain - Send” guest W&O blog article by Chris Atkins, for his wise insights on de-escalation and related ministry responsiveness approaches.  Chris is a former CIA agent and military veteran and is very kind-hearted too.  He now leads 242Momentum and brings this unique professional background to powerfully effective ministry safety. 

I hope these resources will be helpful, as you may discern.

We are very thankful for Sally's willingness and desire to share these resources with conference attendees and others. 

Update Info for 2026

 CORRECTION:

Jim Jeffery (Session #3) is at Chapel Pointe Church

CANCELLED

Session 2

Justin Edmonds’ “Design with Purpose — Planning and Budgeting Your Church Technology the Right Way”

 

CHANGED:

ALL WORKSHOPS IN RM 121 HAVE BEEN MOVED TO RM 138

Session 1

In Rm 38, Robert Bowman’s is now “Measuring Success in Ministry: A Missional Assessment Framework” with Jeff Halsted, Calvary Baptist Church, GR  

 Session 2

In Rm 122, Wes Crawford’s is now “Getting to the Heart of People’s Problems” with Mike Hanson, Biblical  Counseling Ministries.

People have problems, and the church is the place to go! Do you believe this? Or are you feeling not equipped? If you want to build your confidence in giving Biblical Care and Counsel to your people, this workshop is for you. 

In Rm 38, Robert Bowman’s is now  “Let’s Talk About Politics with Dave Rodgers

As we think about politics, we must remember that God is sovereign and holy, and man is limited and sinful.  An election does not change these facts at all.  How do we have conversations in our community and even in our churches that show these truths?  This workshop will NOT fix politics but will show you ways to think Biblically and have political conversations that show where your hope is.”  This is a repeat from last year 

Session 4

In Rm 129, Caleb Winegardner’s is now “Out with the new and in with the old” with Wes Crawford, West Cannon Baptist Church  

 In the ever-changing landscape of student ministries, it can be overwhelming to keep up! Every other youth group seems to have a new idea, strategy, or participate in a strange social media trend that you weren’t even aware of! This can tempt us away from the basics that God has given us in scripture for helping young people grow into the image of their Creator. This workshop aims at reorienting our minds and our definition of success back to what God would have for us! 

 

How to Pray for the 2026 Conference

"Prayer is complicated because it seems like we aren't doing anything, but it's also tricky because it's a humble act.  We must regularly humble ourselves before God's mighty hand and cast our cares on Him."  Tony Merida

Prayer is hard.
Prayer is essential for Gospel ministry.

When we view prayer as just another church ministry program, it becomes a burden or one of many different options. 

When we understand that prayer for the believer is like breathing for every human, we recognize that it is absolutely necessary for life, not an option.

Our lives need to glorify God. Being dependent upon Him for everything is one of, if not the best, ways to do this. Prayer shows our dependence upon God. 

Here are some prayers for the conference and the time leading up to the conference. 

• Pray the weekend would help churches by glorifying God, focusing on the Bible, and providing practical ministry tips

• Pray for  Jeremy Kimble, the keynote speaker and Cedarville professor.  Here is a lecture Dr. Kimble taught on prayer - https://www.cedarville.edu/media/video-player/1_owbjh42f

• Pray for the over 50 workshop speakers.

• Pray for those from your church and other churches who attend the conference.  Pray that they would be encouraged and helped in the ministries.  

• Thank God for Calvary Baptist Church's willingness and ability to host the conference.

• Thank God for the volunteers who help with planning, set up, serving snacks, clean up, and so much more.  

The How to Attend a Conference post is about Prayerfully Plan, Prayerfully Go, and Prayerfully Share - https://grchurchministriesconference.blogspot.com/2025/10/how-to-get-most-out-of-conference.html

How to Promote the Church Ministries Conference at Your Church

The purpose of the Church Ministries Conference (https://grchurchministriesconference.com) is to encourage and equip those serving in and through the local church.  We want the weekend to be theological (God-glorifying and Bible-focused) and practical.

Here are some very practical ways you can promote this year's conference (and next year's conference March 12 & 13, 2027).

• Share the Bridge Fellowship Podcast about the conference

• Share the workshop introduction videos from the CMC Facebook page (www.facebook.com/church.ministries.conference) or YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/@churchministriesconference)

• Among specific ministry volunteers, share relevant workshops that could be helpful.  There are several different ministry tracks.  See the graphics below.

• Personal example that would be helpful for next year.
• This winter, Dave Rodgers, one of the CMC Planning Team members and associate pastor at Trinity Baptist Church, taught a discipleship class.  During the February classes, the conference was promoted by highlighting workshops connected with that week's discipleship topic.

For downloaded graphics and the PowerPoint, 
go to grchurchministriesconference.com/resources/