Resources

I loved my physics classes in college. Those of you who know me well know that this would be true. One of the basic equations we learned was, "momentum equals mass times velocity." I'm sure you have no idea where I am going with this, but don't let a little physics cause you to stop reading. Read More

Our eighth Navigator Core Value is "families and relational networks in discipling the nations." I believe the exercise of this value is also essential to fruitfulness and the advance of the Gospel.

Neil Cole (Church Multiplication Associates) uses this illustration. If you were walking down the beach and you saw a hand sticking out of the sand waving in the air, you would conclude that there was a body attached to it hidden in the sand. Similarly, if someone you know is showing signs of spiritual interest and eventually comes to Christ, you could assume that this person is also connected to an extended family and probably several relational networks (friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc.). Each one of these networks has the potential for people to come to Christ and form themselves into small biblical communities.

In recent years I have been pondering the concept of blessing. The very first blessings in the Bible occur on the opening page of the book of Genesis. When God created the sea creatures and the birds of the air on the fifth day He blessed them saying, "Be fruitful and multiply...." (Gen. 1:20-22) Then on the sixth day he created Adam and Eve and blessed them saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth...." (Gen. 1:27-28) Read More

Let me begin by saying that I did not create the phrase "movement of the Gospel" though I have been thinking about it for a very long time. This terminology comes through the work of others and is found in our Navigators Vision Statement which begins, "We see a vital movement of the Gospel, fueled by prevailing prayer, flowing freely through relational networks and out into the nations. Workers for the Kingdom are next door to everywhere!"
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For years, I have been praying and believing God for movements of the Gospel in The Navigators and around the world. I was delighted when our Navigators Vision Statement came out 10 years ago describing what we Navigators mean by a movement of the Gospel. Read More

You may still be asking, what is a Gospel movement? Here is a working definition developed from elements of our Vision Statement, the survey I conducted, and what God is doing around the world today. "A Gospel movement is a locally led Gospel planting initiative that is spreading naturally along relational lines, breaking out to new people and places and is resulting in multitudes of new believers, new laborers, new leaders, and new 'gatherings' of people (families, relational networks, groups, Bible studies, etc.) who are transforming their spheres of influence." Read More

Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the Laborers are few" in Matthew 9:37. Have I ever pondered the question, "Why are the Laborers few?" Read More

Last year I was challenged by this quote. "Obedience begins with listening. Tarry daily with God as before a king of highest authority - until he releases you. Wait for guidance and power. Then obey in faith. Resist the urge to rush into self-assigned activity, or to ask God to bless plans made solely on the basis of available resources."
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Our US Navigators Vision Statement begins with this sentence. "We see a vital movement of the Gospel, fueled by prevailing prayer, flowing freely through relational networks and out into the nations." Then it goes on to explain what that movement of the Gospel looks like. Read More

The kingdom of heaven is like a plant in the corner of a garden. All day long that plant can’t help but grow toward the light. God is constantly working in the hearts and minds of our friends. Part of the reason for our conviction is found in the nature of the Gospel of the kingdom.

If God were to exist, would you want to know what He was like or would you rather He just leave you alone in your little corner of life? Her immediate answer: Oh I’d much rather He just leave me alone the way I am. Read More

I have been thinking recently about a couple of ways to better understand and add depth to some mission concepts we embrace in the ministry the Lord has given us. One is somewhat new to us, the other is foundational to all we believe and are called to be and do.
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During the past few months I have taken a closer look at the Gospel we use when we dialogue and study with nonbelievers. While I have spoken to those training in San Antonio to “live among the lost,” the question of how to better understand what our Gospel is has surfaced. Read More

Our US Navigators Vision Statement begins with this sentence. "We see a vital movement of the Gospel, fueled by prevailing prayer, flowing freely through relational networks and out into the nations." Then it goes on to explain what that movement of the Gospel looks like. Read More

The attitude inspectors are on the job. Everyone who is still sifting evidence, everyone who is still quietly asking questions about God, everyone who has not yet made an iron-clad decision to live life based on knowingly false information is constantly looking for credible sources. Read More

In Search of True Community within the Body of Christ

Former First Lady Hillary Clinton made famous the phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child." I couldn't agree more. Communities of folks with a degree of interdependence and shared commitment are necessary not only for raising children but also for sustaining adults. As the poet John Donne wrote, "No man is an island." But with all due respect to first ladies and famous poets, I 'm just wondering -- and perhaps you've wondered, too -- Where do I find the village? Is it found with colleagues? Scattered family members? Church friends? Sports teams? Neighbors? Some combination of all the above? It's not always easy to know where to look. Read More

I know that I have spent the better part of the last fifteen years running away from the label ”Bible Answer Man”. Our principle role in advancing the gospel should be exactly the opposite. I even at one point made up a rule to live by: Don’t answer questions; ask them. Read More

For me, one of the most liberating and motivating truths in promoting the Gospel is that there are two entirely different ways to spiritually consider people in this world. Read More

Some years ago, a friend looked back on his years of sincerely trying to talk to his friends about the Gospel. He said he felt like he'd been throwing seed over a wall, hoping it would take root on the other side. Read More

As the scriptural thoughts regarding the Kingdom of God, the church, and the parables of Jesus begin to clarify and I begin to be comfortable with these concepts, let me suggest five steps toward the beginnings of a movement in your particular context. Read More

It struck me that God has embedded the great truths of Scripture in the software of the heart, and that my role was to listen, ask questions and then relate Joe’s intuitive truth statements to the grand narrative of God in the Bible. Read More

Workplace settings are a great venue for helping others come to know Christ. We work with the same colleagues everyday, so we have a chance to get to know them and show the reality of Christ in our lives. Read More

Asking appropriate questions in an atmosphere of love, trust, and acceptance can provide avenues for deeper conversation. Read More

One thing I know about myself is that if left without a certain amount of structure, I forget to do things. My prayer life is no exception. Read More

Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place to pray. Read More

Prayer is like exercise and I don’t like to do either one. Everyone always tells you to pray and to exercise, but it is so hard! Faithful intercessors (such a small proportion of the world’s population) compare to those who are Olympic or professional athletes. Read More

This is a six page guide on how to start and lead a small Bible reading group. “It’s a simple form that enables people to introduce their friends to the Scriptures” in a non-threatening way.

The Gospel of Matthew can be an ideal place to start for a person discovering the Bible for the first time. Let’s overview. The book is divided thematically in two parts. Read More

This Bible study by Don Bartel digs in deep to what Justice, Mercy and Peace mean in a biblical context and how it applies to us today.

How To Lead A Bible Study For Unbelievers Read More

Becoming More Effective as an “Insider”in Reaching the Lost Around Us. A contemporary, real world, biblical evangelistic study.(Based on the longer seminar of the same name, compiled by Mike Shamy of The Navigators.) Read More

The Kingdom Learning Community (KLC) Modules are designed as a guide in exploring topics such as missional living, environments of grace, transformation, and worship. Read More

Ten practical tips for leading friends in discovering the Bible for the first time. Read More

Debbie Friley would challenge you to set aside everything else you’re reading and begin going through the Bible with your non-believing friends. Read More

At the Metro National Conference we introduced a special resource titled the San Antonio Case Study Video. It begins to address one of the most critical issues we face in the Metro Mission: What do we need to do to significantly increase our grass roots fruitfulness? Read More

An extensive study about what the Bible says about ministry.
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See some books by Metro Staff and other recommended books for ministry.
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