Casey Graham and Joe Sangl have become good friends. Casey and Joe share several things in common with each other. They are both incredibly high-energy, they are both funny (or think they are) and, most importantly, they both share a heart to help churches and people live in financial freedom. Specifically for the church, their desire is for churches to be able to fully fund the vision God has given the church.

As writers of the new book, “Funded and Free”, Casey and Joe combine their practical experience serving on church staffs with their most current experience helping churches and individuals across the nation achieve financial success. In this easy-to-read, practical and concise book, Casey and Joe help us understand the obstacles churches face and how to deal appropriately with finances and debt. Every church leader needs to read this book.

Ben Reed is our community groups pastor at Grace Community Church. He’s responsible for overseeing the spiritual formation and discipleship process that happens through groups at our church. (He’s doing an amazing job and is a great leader too!) We are both frequently asked to review small group materials. He does more of that than me, but this is a case where we are both friends with the author. With that in mind, Ben is guest posting here today to review Holy Vocabulary, by Michael Kelley.

Here’s Ben’s review:

I was encouraged recently reading the story of Jehu in 2 Kings 9. Jehu was anointed king over Israel. At first glance, that sounds like a glamorous position, but when we read the entire story we find that before Jehu could rule his kingdom, he had to first battle to do so. (I think King David had a similar difficult experience prior to becoming king.)

I shared in an earlier post about Nehemiah. In Nehemiah 4:9 we read that while Nehemiah prayed asking God to protect the work he was doing, he also did what he knew to do….he posted guards to keep watch over their work.

Those two passages, and others throughout the Bible of men and women who responded to God’s call, remind me that God’s will for my life isn’t simply to wait for Him to deliver me. Often God’s will includes hard days of waiting for His plan to be revealed. The fact that ministry is difficult at times, doesn’t imply that I am not in the center of God’s will for my life. The opposite may be truer.

You may have been anointed for the job you’ve been given, but we should never assume that because God asked us to do the task that completing it will be easy. Part of our calling is often to find the faith to keep moving forward, even when the obstacles seem insurmountable.

In case you missed my earlier posts, I’m in Sierra Leone for a couple weeks. I will share more later, but wanted to give a quick update. We are here to teach and train pastors for Africa for Jesus and it has been an incredible experience so far. Here are 10 things I’ve observed/learned the [...]

A couple months ago I was approached by Beacon Advertising to advertise on my site. I had put off doing something like this, but I do still have a child in college and the extra funds would help. (It’s not much, but every bit counts.) Anyway, I researched the company and found them to be very reputable. They do the work for me, so if you want to advertise on this blog, you go straight through them.

I’m happy to announce that Beacon Ads is giving away $630 worth of Logos Bible software. This is an incredible deal and it’s easy to win. Details HERE.

I have personally used this software and highly recommend it.

I am not a conference junkie. I do love the experience networking and learning from other leaders, but frankly, who has the time and money for all the conferences available? That’s why I’m selective about the conferences I attend. I wrote earlier this week about Catalyst. I believe in what they do for so many leaders, including me.

Another conference that is much smaller, but has huge potential to help church leaders think is the Story Conference. I attended the first one last year and it truly is different…in all the right ways. This year’s Story Conference promises to be even more challenging. I hope you will consider joining me and others who will be there. I believe in guys like Ben Arment, Story’s founder, because they are young minds who are inspiring us as church leaders to think of new ways to reach people with an unchanging Gospel.

I knew that this pastor frequented a local diner every morning, so I decided at least once a week that it would become my first stop each day. Over time, we formed a friendship, he began to trust me, and, most importantly, he began to share his broken heart with me. He became one of my dearest friends.

My pastor friend passed away about six months into our relationship. I still think of him and his absence with a heavy heart. I miss him. I will never forget the last months of our friendship and how he consistently told me that God had sent me to him. He was so appreciative of our time together.

Over the last few years, through Twitter and personal blogs, I have gained so much by networking online with other church and ministry leaders.  Periodically I like to share the ones most currently influencing me with their online presence in case you have missed any of them.  Since they are well known, chances are you have them on your list already.  If so, this is simply a tribute.  If not, I encourage you to follow their work.  (Obviously some are not individuals, but an organization/ministry.)

There are others who are making a difference, even in my leadership.  I chose these people/groups because not only are they making a difference and giving good content to the church leadership world, but they have made themselves accessible to people also.

Today I’m giving away two copies of a great book just released this week at the Exponential Conference. The book is appropriately titled…

Exponential: How You and Your Friends Can Start a Missional Church Movement…

I know lots of people look for an opportunity to attend Easter services who may not normally attend church. If you follow my blog in the Clarksville or surrounding areas, I want to ask you to consider visiting with us. We have an amazing day planned. It’s laid back, casual, upbeat, and, unashamedly, we have FUN! We never put visitors on the spot, so you can get a no pressure experience. We are moving to the gym for this day to accommodate people, so there will be plenty of room. We have an incredible children’s ministry through 5th grade. (Children usually bring their parents back to our church!) It’s going to be a great day. Check us out beforehand online at Gcomchurch.com