I have always been encouraged by the number of times in Scripture I see the phrase “stand firm.” To me it is a phrase showing strength and endurance against the challenges and difficulties of life. One of the earliest examples…

Whether you consider the COVID19 pandemic an obstacle to growth or an opportunity for growth in the life of your church, one thing on which we can all agree is that we have been through a challenging season…

People don’t remember how we come; they remember how we leave.

Unity forms community; community forms yet more unity. It’s another of God’s perfect cycles. Something I'm continuing to learn is the importance of community. 

When life gets tough or becomes discouraging, we can often decide to throw in the towel and walk away. However, in Galatians, Paul teaches us to do the opposite. I do not know about you, but I …

It’s wisdom suitable for a seasoned athlete – or a dedicated elder. With the COVID-delayed 2020 Summer Olympics beginning this month, many Americans will be tuning in to watch. Not all the Olympic events receive as much televised attention or fan interest, but all teach us lessons about skill and tenacity.

Is your church counting “nickels, noses and notches?” Said in another way, is your church counting the offering, attendance and decisions (i.e., baptisms and transfer of membership)? If so, there is so much more to measure.

Far too many churches measure the effectiveness of their ministry only in terms of the number…

Is there anyone out there who loves bookstores and libraries as much as I do? I love spending time in both places, exploring titles, buying, and borrowing, ultimately knowing I will have great encounters and adventures based on the books I read.

Recently when in a bookstore the back cover of a book…

Before we start, I already know that elder’s wives are always bubbly and cheerful and happy. You know, perky. 24-7-365. Everyone else believes we’re constantly overflowing with joy … except we’re not.

I’ve worn the cheerful face more than once when happy was dead last on my emotional registry.

Serving as a local church elder can be a life path you choose or a life path that chooses you, a ministry to which you aspire or a ministry in which you are affirmed/appointed by your church. A sense of 'calling' from the Lord is vital, but that calling can be more subjective or more objective. Usually, it is some combination of both!

This week, e2 “turned nine years old!”   We celebrated our ninth anniversary, and we have much for which to give thanks.  In this short time, we have put roughly 60,000 books in circulation—and in five languages (soon to be six), spoken to over 9,000 elders and church leaders in our conferences, and even have churches contacting us from other countries asking for help in developing elders.

Our newest initiative…

Since its beginning, e2 founders, Gary Johnson, Jim Estep, and David Roadcup have discussed how e2 effective elders might draw alongside the wives of elders to engage, encourage, and equip them. Last year at the Lead Well retreat for elders of partner churches we asked their wives that very question and received great comments and suggestions. Our next step…

You are undoubtedly aware of Betsy Ross’ connection with our colonial flag, but what about our current 50-star design? You might say that “Bob” was the Betsy Ross of the twentieth century; his is an interesting story…

I love the thought of God's daughters advancing against the kingdom of darkness as we embrace our identity as Psalm 32:7 girls. When we hide in God, we become courageous, and there's no shrinking back when we are courageous. Let's not stop there, though – there's more to the verse:

Paul was a lead chemist for one of the major international pharmaceutical companies. He had been involved in the development of some of the most helpful medications prescribed by physicians today. I did not meet him until long after his retirement. He remained very active in life and in hands-on projects in the church after his retirement. As we were sharing coffee one day…

Friends, God is good! Next month, e2 will celebrate our ninth anniversary and as we do so, we give thanks to the Lord for how HE has developed this ministry. We never expected to have tens of thousands of books in circulation—and in six languages. We never expected to have spoken to over 9,000 elders and church leaders—in our conferences alone. We never expected…