Home loan interest rates

By Roman Markeral

Credits also go to: Gable Roof Calculator. We cannot talk about real estate without taking into consideration an important determinant like the home loan interest rates. Without adequate and prudent guidance, the purchase of a home could often turn into a fiasco. The first criterion we ought to bring into discussion is the necessity to have good funds in order to be able to buy a property or rent a space in a decent locality.

The major problem of home loan interest rates in the present context of the financial crisis is that lots of banks have a fluctuating interest that proves very much in the detriment of the customer.

The most advantageous of situations is when you can start with a fixed interest rate that will apply until the full pay-off of the borrowed money. Home loan interest rates are often overlooked because people get so excited about the possibility to finance a house and cherish the experience of finally being owners. There is a huge list of financiers or lenders and they all have differences in terms of rates and interest rate policy. It has happened more than once for financial authorities to criticize and sanction the home loan interest rates because the terms on which they are applied are confusing for the client eager to buy a house.

Lots of housing finance companies use concepts such as adjustable rate mortgages, fixed rates and balloon mortgages as a means to confuse customers, and unless you know what each refers to, it is easy to get entangled in the maze. The fixed home loan interest rates are considered the most advantageous because you pay a fixed amount every month without changes. The problem appears when the interest rate drops and the amount you pay is higher; for such situations you can get a refinancing in order to benefit from low rates too.

Adjustable home loan interest rates or adjustable rate mortgage is different from the fixed one by the fact that it fluctuates with the ups and downs of the market. Should the interest rate be low, then you pay little, if it gets high, you’ll take more money out of your pocket. Unfortunately, the changes on the financial market are very abrupt and unpredictable for the common user, and you may be surprised by the sudden modifications.

Such home loan interest rates are definitely not for everyone; hence, make sure to inquire well before contracting a loan. - 23687

About the Author:

Co-published by: Roof Calculator.

Home loan interest rates

By Roman Markeral

Credits also go to: Gable Roof Calculator. We cannot talk about real estate without taking into consideration an important determinant like the home loan interest rates. Without adequate and prudent guidance, the purchase of a home could often turn into a fiasco. The first criterion we ought to bring into discussion is the necessity to have good funds in order to be able to buy a property or rent a space in a decent locality.

The major problem of home loan interest rates in the present context of the financial crisis is that lots of banks have a fluctuating interest that proves very much in the detriment of the customer.

The most advantageous of situations is when you can start with a fixed interest rate that will apply until the full pay-off of the borrowed money. Home loan interest rates are often overlooked because people get so excited about the possibility to finance a house and cherish the experience of finally being owners. There is a huge list of financiers or lenders and they all have differences in terms of rates and interest rate policy. It has happened more than once for financial authorities to criticize and sanction the home loan interest rates because the terms on which they are applied are confusing for the client eager to buy a house.

Lots of housing finance companies use concepts such as adjustable rate mortgages, fixed rates and balloon mortgages as a means to confuse customers, and unless you know what each refers to, it is easy to get entangled in the maze. The fixed home loan interest rates are considered the most advantageous because you pay a fixed amount every month without changes. The problem appears when the interest rate drops and the amount you pay is higher; for such situations you can get a refinancing in order to benefit from low rates too.

Adjustable home loan interest rates or adjustable rate mortgage is different from the fixed one by the fact that it fluctuates with the ups and downs of the market. Should the interest rate be low, then you pay little, if it gets high, you’ll take more money out of your pocket. Unfortunately, the changes on the financial market are very abrupt and unpredictable for the common user, and you may be surprised by the sudden modifications.

Such home loan interest rates are definitely not for everyone; hence, make sure to inquire well before contracting a loan. - 23687

About the Author:

Co-published by: Roof Calculator.

The Transforming Churches Network: Part 4, Taking the Plunge

The Consultation weekend is when the Mission Revitalization Process really gets rolling. While there are some preliminary steps, once your congregation has decided to invite the Transforming Congregation Network (TCN) into their midst, this is the defining event. It is described as "an intervention designed to lead to systemic change."

Briefly, the consultation begins on Friday afternoon when the pastor and staff are interviewed by a group of "trained consultants" and a "Focus Group" is held. On Saturday the congregational leaders are interviewed, further analysis is conducted, and training on "healthy congregations" and other topics occurs. On Saturday evening the lead consultant (a pastor) and his team write the consultation report. Sunday morning, the pastor of the congregation preaches about his "vision," followed that afternoon by a "Town Meeting" in which the results of the consultation report are presented to the congregation.

After the consultation, the pastor initiates a 4-6 week "season of repentance, forgiveness and renewal," consisting of "teaching, prayer, and fasting, leading up to a Congregational day of repentance and renewal. The purpose for the Day of Prayer and Repentance is to offer prayers of confession for this congregation's apathy toward those people that God misses most."

At the end of the 4-6 weeks, the congregation decides on whether they will commit to the prescriptions of the TCN Consultation Report. Once the congregation agrees, it is on its way to permanent assimilation into the Church Growth Movement (CGM) paradigm. It's an all or none proposition, because they must agree to comply with all of the prescriptions of the consultation. What the congregation may or may not know, is that the pastor has already signed a covenant before the consultation ever took place in which he commits to the transformation process. (Consultants and members of the future Board of Directors of your church must also sign a covenant. What happened to the days when a Christian just let his "Yes" be "Yes" and his "No" be "No," as Jesus commands in Matthew 5:37?) The covenant begins: "It is my intent to fully and actively participate in the Transforming Congregations Network (TCN). As a member of TCN, I commit to the following activities…." Among other things, the pastor promises to start a Learning Community with the church leaders, bring the church leaders to TCN training events, initiate a "prayer team" to pray for the Pastors' Learning Community and the Leader Learning Community, begin Groups Ablaze! in the congregation, and begin TRIAD strategy. In other words, the congregation is already on its way to becoming a TCN "customer" whether they know it or not.

Presented below is a composite of the Consultation Report, which is quoted from actual reports. If your church were to participate, your report would be similar. While the reports vary, there is always some combination of prescriptions related to vision, inward focus, leadership development and structure. The one prescription that is inescapable, is the requirement to change your church structure to the Accountable Leadership Model. It is this structure that creates many of the doctrinal problems associated with TCN, as we'll see in the following days.

TCN Consultation Report

Introduction

The Consultation Team has very much appreciated the openness of the staff and members of the congregation with whom we met. We thank God for your ministry and look forward to seeing how the Lord will use your congregation in the future to touch hundreds of people in this community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The following is our report to the members of XYZ Lutheran Church based on this weekend's visitation.

Strengths of your Congregation

- A comment about the caring nature of the members.

- A compliment of some sort to the pastor.

- Three other compliments of some sort. Every report has five strengths listed, no matter how many or how few the particular congregation may actually have.

Concerns [These are variable, but generally reflect some combination of the following]

1. Lack of vision – The congregation lacks a clear, unified, compelling, God-given vision. While pastor and people have individual ideas and visions for the future there is no single vision that guides all aspects of the congregation over an extended period of time. This lack of vision has kept the congregation from reaching its full potential in fulfilling the Great Commission.

2. Inward focus – The congregation has fallen into the habit of taking care of themselves, providing for their comfort and personal preferences at the expense of reaching out to the people of this community who are living without faith in Christ and thus destined for an eternity in Hell. Thus they have failed to fulfill their calling to participate with the Lord Jesus in the task of making disciples of all people.

3. Lack of Leadership Development - There is no clear process to recruit, equip and empower new leaders for the congregation. Therefore current leaders are overworked and or are working in areas for which they are not gifted nor from which gain satisfaction.

4. Ineffective Structure – The present governance structure of the church divides authority from responsibility while providing no accountability. This has resulted in an ineffective system that produces few measurable results for making disciples. The current governance structure stifles creative ministry on the part of members.

5. Other concerns might include:

- Inadequate facilities

- Unhealthy relationships

- Sense of powerlessness due to fiscal indebtedness

- Disconnected ministries

- Poor communication

- Discipleship

Prescriptions

1) Outward Focus- Upon the acceptance of the following prescriptions, the congregation will initiate a season of repentance, forgiveness and renewal for the congregation. The Congregational coach will assist Pastor ABC in leading the congregation through 4-6 weeks of teaching, prayer and fasting, leading up to a Congregational day of repentance and renewal. The purpose for the Day of Prayer and Repentance is to offer prayers of confession for:

● Idolatry connected to an inward focus on members' comfort,

● Apathy and or disregard toward those people that God misses most in this community,

● Rededication to God's mission of making disciples in this community.

The leaders and congregational members are encouraged to offer silent and public prayers asking God to forgive them personally and collectively for failing to participate in making new disciples of Jesus Christ on a regular and consistent basis. The Day of Prayer will be held no later than [date].

This refocusing process will include surveying the community and hosting community based focus groups with the goal of understanding the needs of the people living within the area surrounding the church facility. This task will be completed by [date].

Launch 2 new interest/affinity groups by the end of the year and 7 more by [month, year].

Begin the planning process to initiate a second worship service which is designed to attract the people of [City]. The first Sunday of 2 services begins on Easter Sunday [year].

Beginning in [year] the congregation will annually hold at least 6 off church campus events which are completely focused on people of this community.

Pastor ABC will preach an [Church season] sermon series on the missional outward nature of God’s church.

2) Vision- In order to gain a clear, unified, compelling, God-given vision, the congregation will:

a) By [date], engage, with input from the DEF District, a facilitator who leads a visioning process. This visioning process will include community surveys and community based focus groups with the goal of understanding the needs of the community and people living within the area surrounding the church facility.

b) Once developed, pastor and staff will communicate the vision for ninety days throughout the congregation.

c) At the end of the ninety days of intentional vision casting the congregation shall meet to consider adoption of the vision. The target deadline is [month, year].

d) Leadership will continually insure that every member knows and is committed to carrying out the vision.

e) All existing and new ideas, facility plans, programs and ministries must be evaluated in light of this vision and any that do not enable the congregation to move closer to achieving this vision shall be stopped or not implemented.

3) Leadership Development – By [date], Pastor and Board must implement a process to equip staff members in their attempts to recruit, equip and train the future leaders of the congregation.

Pastor ABC shall convene a monthly learning community consisting of 5-7 leaders of XYZ Church by [date].

Pastor ABC will participate in the Pastor’s Learning Community until its completion.

4) Structure - Effective with the acceptance of these prescriptions the congregation will prepare to adopt the Accountable Leadership Model. The Pastor and leaders will lead the congregation in suspending those particular bylaws that describe how the congregation functions in its ministries. These bylaws, by vote of the congregation, will be put in abeyance for three years. At the end of the three years, the congregation will vote to either return to the bylaws or adopt new ones that are written to reflect how ministry is currently being done at that time. The vote to suspend these articles will be held in conjunction with the vote to accept or reject this report.

The Model will be implemented beginning [date], with the Pastor assuming leadership and articulating the congregation’s vision to the members. The Board will hold the Pastor accountable for the achievement of the vision of the congregation and will set boundaries for the Pastor’s ministry. They will also support his work. The Staff leaders will report directly to the Pastor, and the Pastor will hold them accountable for the goals they have set. The Pastor will meet weekly with the Staff leaders as they empower and direct the congregation membership in carrying out its ministry. The present organizational by-laws will be put in abeyance while this Accountable Leadership Model is implemented.

In this new model of governance, there will be a Board of Directors of 3 people plus the Pastor. [Up to 6 people plus the pastor.] These 3 will represent an outward focused mission and the new vision when it is adopted. Their role will be to govern the church. The Pastor’s role will be to lead the church. The role of staff members will be to manage the church. The role of the congregation will be to conduct the ministries of the church.

By [date], the pastor will nominate five members to serve on the Board. [In one instance, the congregation nominated the board nominees.] The congregation will select 3 of the five to serve as the Board. Potential members must meet the following criteria:

Members who are weekly participants in worship and Bible study.

Members who are striving to or are giving a tithe.

Members who understand and support the mission and vision of the congregation.

5) Other prescriptions have included:

- Building & Grounds

- Making Connections & Bridges to the community

- Healthy Relationships

- Children's Ministry

- Fiscal Health

- Improve Participant and Member Retention

The congregation will vote to accept or reject these prescriptions by [date]. We strongly urge a time of prayer and serious deliberation prior to making this decision. Upon acceptance of this report, the DEF District commits to “walk along side” XYZ Church by providing a “coach” for a minimum of one year to help the church implement these prescriptions.

Conclusion

We want to thank you for the opportunity to consult with you. We believe that by God’s grace your best days as a congregation are ahead of you with the implementation of these prescriptions.

Consultation Reports available on the internet:

http://gracelutheranmi.org/blog/?p=4

http://www.ascensionstl.com/view_section.php?section=75

http://www.hopeaurora.org/texts/oct2008.pdf

http://faithlutheran-ah.org/news/vof%20archive/2007_12%20Voice%20-%20PIR.pdf

http://www.ourredeemerlc.com/ftp/newsletters/Jul_07_Newsletter.pdf

photo credit: Wiro

Postive Effects of Globalization for Companies in India

With globalization, countries can become integrated through foreign trade and investments.

India, for example, is a country that is growing consistently over the last several years — proving that globalization has many positive and negative effects on culture, society or a country’s economy.

Read more here.

Picture: Taj Mahal, India.

Postive Effects of Globalization for Companies in India

With globalization, countries can become integrated through foreign trade and investments.

India, for example, is a country that is growing consistently over the last several years — proving that globalization has many positive and negative effects on culture, society or a country’s economy.

Read more here.

Picture: Taj Mahal, India.

Just Some Brief Tips to

By Amanda Gamdana

There is a great opportunity for anyone who is willing to ride the torrential waves of the stock market by becoming a day trader. It is wise to start off your day trading by learning some basic concepts and then proceed to bigger and more complex issues once you have built a particular level of mastery of the simpler issues.

Anyone who wishes to master the activity of day trading must regard this as a real business-learn the art of the trade, be willing to learn, find the strength to rise from every failure and benefit from the lessons that is present from every temporary setback.

This form of activity serves two major purposes of the stock market-it provides liquidity and keeps the market running active. To make accurate decision, one needs to get accurate information.

To be successful, one needs to master the psychology of day trading. The results are unforeseen and cannot be forecasted. One needs to have the right tools and knowledge to be successful in this undertaking.

Being a day trader is no guarantee that you will make millions of dollars in profits. Is day trading right for you? They only risk capital and those are rather affordable to lose.

Remember, day traders only hold on to a position for a few minutes. It takes practice and training to build competence. There are two ingredients you must possess to succeed-nerves of steel and sheer cunningness. A good memory is essential to succeed in this business and at all costs, avoid losing money.

It is the ultimate mistake to follow your own feelings when trading, instead be alert to current market trends and follow accordingly. The ultimate goal of a day trader is to produce profit in a single day. The management of risks is essential if you wish to be successful in this business.

Make sure you do understand the mechanics of Forex day trading before you participate. One common characteristics is day trader will often watch the computer screen all day to follow the rise and fall of the stock market. One needs to have access to the right information at the right time to be able to make a successful decision.

Do not be surprised to hear that day traders find this to be a most exciting activity. Day traders do believe in their own indicatory but they too are that there is no 100% in life that it will work. It is wrong to sell on bad days and even fatal to buy on a good one.

This is a transaction that involves the purchase of securities in a single day. Be forewarned that this form of trading comes with a lot of risk. It is not something to jump into without considerable thought.

It comes with substantial risk. Do you need luck or skills to make it big? Nevertheless a successful trader can lose money out of nine out of ten transactions and still be able to make a profit even by succeeding in one single trade. There is a loft of fun here but it for some great challenges as well. - 23687

About the Author:

Health and Weight Loss offers more accurate information, visit: Health Research With Weight.

Just Some Brief Tips to

By Amanda Gamdana

There is a great opportunity for anyone who is willing to ride the torrential waves of the stock market by becoming a day trader. It is wise to start off your day trading by learning some basic concepts and then proceed to bigger and more complex issues once you have built a particular level of mastery of the simpler issues.

Anyone who wishes to master the activity of day trading must regard this as a real business-learn the art of the trade, be willing to learn, find the strength to rise from every failure and benefit from the lessons that is present from every temporary setback.

This form of activity serves two major purposes of the stock market-it provides liquidity and keeps the market running active. To make accurate decision, one needs to get accurate information.

To be successful, one needs to master the psychology of day trading. The results are unforeseen and cannot be forecasted. One needs to have the right tools and knowledge to be successful in this undertaking.

Being a day trader is no guarantee that you will make millions of dollars in profits. Is day trading right for you? They only risk capital and those are rather affordable to lose.

Remember, day traders only hold on to a position for a few minutes. It takes practice and training to build competence. There are two ingredients you must possess to succeed-nerves of steel and sheer cunningness. A good memory is essential to succeed in this business and at all costs, avoid losing money.

It is the ultimate mistake to follow your own feelings when trading, instead be alert to current market trends and follow accordingly. The ultimate goal of a day trader is to produce profit in a single day. The management of risks is essential if you wish to be successful in this business.

Make sure you do understand the mechanics of Forex day trading before you participate. One common characteristics is day trader will often watch the computer screen all day to follow the rise and fall of the stock market. One needs to have access to the right information at the right time to be able to make a successful decision.

Do not be surprised to hear that day traders find this to be a most exciting activity. Day traders do believe in their own indicatory but they too are that there is no 100% in life that it will work. It is wrong to sell on bad days and even fatal to buy on a good one.

This is a transaction that involves the purchase of securities in a single day. Be forewarned that this form of trading comes with a lot of risk. It is not something to jump into without considerable thought.

It comes with substantial risk. Do you need luck or skills to make it big? Nevertheless a successful trader can lose money out of nine out of ten transactions and still be able to make a profit even by succeeding in one single trade. There is a loft of fun here but it for some great challenges as well. - 23687

About the Author:

Health and Weight Loss offers more accurate information, visit: Health Research With Weight.

Just Some Brief Tips to

By Amanda Gamdana

There is a great opportunity for anyone who is willing to ride the torrential waves of the stock market by becoming a day trader. It is wise to start off your day trading by learning some basic concepts and then proceed to bigger and more complex issues once you have built a particular level of mastery of the simpler issues.

Anyone who wishes to master the activity of day trading must regard this as a real business-learn the art of the trade, be willing to learn, find the strength to rise from every failure and benefit from the lessons that is present from every temporary setback.

This form of activity serves two major purposes of the stock market-it provides liquidity and keeps the market running active. To make accurate decision, one needs to get accurate information.

To be successful, one needs to master the psychology of day trading. The results are unforeseen and cannot be forecasted. One needs to have the right tools and knowledge to be successful in this undertaking.

Being a day trader is no guarantee that you will make millions of dollars in profits. Is day trading right for you? They only risk capital and those are rather affordable to lose.

Remember, day traders only hold on to a position for a few minutes. It takes practice and training to build competence. There are two ingredients you must possess to succeed-nerves of steel and sheer cunningness. A good memory is essential to succeed in this business and at all costs, avoid losing money.

It is the ultimate mistake to follow your own feelings when trading, instead be alert to current market trends and follow accordingly. The ultimate goal of a day trader is to produce profit in a single day. The management of risks is essential if you wish to be successful in this business.

Make sure you do understand the mechanics of Forex day trading before you participate. One common characteristics is day trader will often watch the computer screen all day to follow the rise and fall of the stock market. One needs to have access to the right information at the right time to be able to make a successful decision.

Do not be surprised to hear that day traders find this to be a most exciting activity. Day traders do believe in their own indicatory but they too are that there is no 100% in life that it will work. It is wrong to sell on bad days and even fatal to buy on a good one.

This is a transaction that involves the purchase of securities in a single day. Be forewarned that this form of trading comes with a lot of risk. It is not something to jump into without considerable thought.

It comes with substantial risk. Do you need luck or skills to make it big? Nevertheless a successful trader can lose money out of nine out of ten transactions and still be able to make a profit even by succeeding in one single trade. There is a loft of fun here but it for some great challenges as well. - 23687

About the Author:

Health and Weight Loss offers more accurate information, visit: Health Research With Weight.

Just Some Brief Tips to

By Amanda Gamdana

There is a great opportunity for anyone who is willing to ride the torrential waves of the stock market by becoming a day trader. It is wise to start off your day trading by learning some basic concepts and then proceed to bigger and more complex issues once you have built a particular level of mastery of the simpler issues.

Anyone who wishes to master the activity of day trading must regard this as a real business-learn the art of the trade, be willing to learn, find the strength to rise from every failure and benefit from the lessons that is present from every temporary setback.

This form of activity serves two major purposes of the stock market-it provides liquidity and keeps the market running active. To make accurate decision, one needs to get accurate information.

To be successful, one needs to master the psychology of day trading. The results are unforeseen and cannot be forecasted. One needs to have the right tools and knowledge to be successful in this undertaking.

Being a day trader is no guarantee that you will make millions of dollars in profits. Is day trading right for you? They only risk capital and those are rather affordable to lose.

Remember, day traders only hold on to a position for a few minutes. It takes practice and training to build competence. There are two ingredients you must possess to succeed-nerves of steel and sheer cunningness. A good memory is essential to succeed in this business and at all costs, avoid losing money.

It is the ultimate mistake to follow your own feelings when trading, instead be alert to current market trends and follow accordingly. The ultimate goal of a day trader is to produce profit in a single day. The management of risks is essential if you wish to be successful in this business.

Make sure you do understand the mechanics of Forex day trading before you participate. One common characteristics is day trader will often watch the computer screen all day to follow the rise and fall of the stock market. One needs to have access to the right information at the right time to be able to make a successful decision.

Do not be surprised to hear that day traders find this to be a most exciting activity. Day traders do believe in their own indicatory but they too are that there is no 100% in life that it will work. It is wrong to sell on bad days and even fatal to buy on a good one.

This is a transaction that involves the purchase of securities in a single day. Be forewarned that this form of trading comes with a lot of risk. It is not something to jump into without considerable thought.

It comes with substantial risk. Do you need luck or skills to make it big? Nevertheless a successful trader can lose money out of nine out of ten transactions and still be able to make a profit even by succeeding in one single trade. There is a loft of fun here but it for some great challenges as well. - 23687

About the Author:

Health and Weight Loss offers more accurate information, visit: Health Research With Weight.

The Transforming Churches Network: Part 2, It=?UTF-8?B?4oCZ?=s All About Commitment

Last time we took a look at the origins of the Mission Revitalization program and the Transforming Churches Network (TCN), discovering their underpinnings to be an admixture of Church Growth Movement (CGM) ideas from non-Lutheran and business world sources. Today we'll take an initial look at how those CGM ideas affect practice.

To gain a sense of the CGM influence, one need look no further than the video "A DVD Overview of the TCN Process" on the TCN website. It contains a series of interviews of mostly "new disciples" who have this to say:

I spent quite a bit of time addicted to methamphetamines, and now that I have been going, man, it's just, like I said it's a hundred and eighty degree difference. It's like a switch. Like I was, I don't know, a boy, now I'm way more of a man and I've grown much stronger in God.

It wasn't truly until I gave myself. You know, I can remember the day that I truly truly meant 'I'm giving it to you.' You know, 'I'm giving to you Jesus.' I needed that arm to reach out and hold me.

Being baptized and saved, that's just what it means, being baptized and saved. Washing your sins away, opening your heart up to Jesus, and really just, you know, taking that great great change to make you feel better because I know that now that I'm committing my life to Christ, and I know that when I die that I'm going to heaven.

We're both recovering from meth addiction… Our life has just totally made a complete turnaround. We're actually reaching out to other people now, inviting them to church, because we love it.

One of the things we were kind of looking for when we were looking for a church was a place that could really help us grow our family, spiritually, which we hadn't really found in the past, and every single lesson that we've learned at LakePointe has applied to our life, and I'm really excited that my children are going to have the opportunity to grow in that church and to be able to be a part of this church because I think that this church is going to do amazing things. And I don't know that we would have found that anywhere else, so we're just, I mean we feel like we're home at LakePointe. [This person is not a new Christian]

Looking closely at the quotes, while we can share the joy of these Christians, it becomes clear that the makers of the video aren't interested in projecting a view of the Christian life as one under the cross. There is no sense of a daily life of repentance and forgiveness lived out in Christ. Instead, they give the impression that "church" is about turning your life around, solving your problems, committing your life to Christ, making you feel better, and learning important life lessons that can be applied to you and your family. The focus isn't on Jesus and His obedience, it's on you and your obedience. It's a Law-driven message, and highlights the mindset of those "transformed" by TCN. Another quote from a Groups Ablaze! presentation echoes these same thoughts:

People find empowerment for life's structures of meaning when they participate in the church. Something happens that makes the job, marriage, family, and faith–as well as civic participation–more fulfilling.

These emphases reflect CGM ideas, and a seeker-sensitive mindset, where the unbeliever becomes the customer, and the church changes its "presentation" to attract the unbeliever and meet her "felt needs." The "seekers" are pandered to; they are presented a picture of the Church as something anyone would want rather than the reality found in the foolishness of the cross. In the process, Law and Gospel are watered down. The TCN small groups and triads are designed with the "seeker" in mind. Quotes from one TCN church Consultation Report reflect this seeker-sensitivity in their prescriptions for this congregation:

- Begin the planning process to initiate a second worship service which is designed to attract the people of [their city].

- This refocusing process will include surveying the community and hosting community based focus groups with the goal of understanding the needs of the people living within the area surrounding the church facility.

We should "understand the needs" of our neighbor so that we can serve him through our vocations. To "understand the needs" of our neighbor so that we can better make "church" more palatable for him does him a disservice. The need of our neighbor that should be addressed in church is his need to hear the truth. Tell him that he is a sinner. Lead him to repentance so that the Gospel will deliver him from his body of death to life everlasting.

Next time we'll explore the presuppositions on which Mission Revitalization and the Transforming Churches Network are based.

A World of Opportunity

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports that the world is in the grips of a deepening recession. I look at it that we are in the grips of a world of opportunity. We just have to work smart at finding it.

Read more here.

Separately, I was a part of a vibrant panel discussion on global business early yesterday morning for Crain’s Chicago Business. I met so many interesting people and I just want to say, “thank you” to all who came up to me after the talk to say nice things. One attendee, a trained psychologist who specializes in family business said, “One of your statements really resonated with me.” And I quickly asked, “Oh, you mean the one about ‘begin with the end in mind?’” He said, “No, the one where you declared ‘make it very hard for people on the Internet not to find you.” To him and everyone else who attended, I say, “nice to meet you and thank you for listening!”

The Transforming Churches Network: Part 3, Eliminating Regressive Attitudes

The base assumption that drives the Transforming Churches Network (TCN) and the revitalization "process" is that a church that is not growing is an "unhealthy" church:

It has been estimated that 80% of the congregations of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod are plateaued or declining in Sunday worship attendance. While a great deal of excellent ministry occurs in many of these congregations, the lack of growth is a constant concern. Typically such congregations are preoccupied with issues of institutional survival which is counterproductive to outreach. By making the needs of unbelieving people and the lifestyle outreach of church members the focus of the ministry, many of the regressive attitudes and disabling circumstances so prevalent in the institution will give way to hope, new life and new members. (online reference)

Dan Southerland, another Church Growth Movement (CGM) expert, states "According to recent studies, 80 percent of churches in North America are plateaued or in decline" (Transitioning: Leading Your Church Through Change, p. 13). This 80% figure seems to have become something of an urban legend, perfect for maintaining the heightened sense of urgency required to facilitate the CGM paradigm shift.

TCN asks: "How will we know when a congregation has been transformed? Well, when it is regularly and consistently making new disciples, and it renews it members so that they're making new disciples by the power of the Holy Spirit" (quoted from TCN video). Do these quotes from TCN materials sound like the work of the Holy Spirit to you?

Congregational consultations, quality research on what the Holy Spirit is doing, developing leadership skills, stump speeches, strategies, bench marks, scorecards and time logs, extensive statistical research, accountability, pilot projects field testing materials, and using the pulpit to cast vision and to create a sense of urgency.

If not, then how does the Holy Spirit work?

First off, God does not deign to share with us His "church growth plans." At times He grows His church with increasing numbers. At times He grows His Church with decreasing numbers. It is a theology of glory to claim that a church is healthy only if it is growing. As the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod Church Growth Study Committee reports,

Therefore, it is spiritually harmful:

- When it is thought that saving faith can be imparted by human market strategies or hat the growth of the Holy Christian Church can be adequately or accurately measured by numbers (Matt. 7:13–14; 16:18; Acts 2:47; Col. 2:19).

- When a congregation sees itself as necessarily more faithful because it is not growing. Or, conversely, when a congregation views growing numbers and income as an indication that Christ is necessarily building His church. Numbers, large or small, are not a litmus test of the Gospel's power (Matt. 7:24–27).

- When anything other than faithfulness by pastor or people to the pure Gospel and Sacraments of Christ is used to measure the "health" of a congregation (1 Cor. 2:2).

What happens when church growth becomes so important that it eclipses all other considerations? Those holding to the CGM "vision" develop "strategies designed to reach certain bench marks which are consistent with the national revitalization definitions. These benchmarks include a minimum of 5% growth in worship attendance each year, and increased percentages of adult to child baptisms and confirmations. Growth in healthy small group life and community involvement are also measured" (quoted from the online TCN page "Coaching the Pastor and Leaders of the Congregation). It comes up with bullet points such as these, quoted from the Groups Ablaze! PowerPoint "Revitalization Learnings":

Holding [District] staff accountable enables them to seek to hold pastors and congregations accountable.

Underachieving staff receive no raise or are let go.

Pastors need to be held accountable for results.

Ineffective pastors are asked to move on.

When these types of bullet points are advocated, it's obvious that those involved have abandoned their trust in the Word, and have placed their trust in man-made results. The pastor is no longer considered the called and ordained servant of the Word, but is now considered an expendable "equipper." (One TCN document warns "Expect resistance from the pastor as he shifts from 'care-taker' and 'shepherd' to more of an equipper role" (online reference)). If Jeremiah were around today, he too would be "asked to move on;" his congregation had definitely "plateaued."

Coming up next, we'll take a closer look at the TCN congregation consultation weekend, where these "plateaued" congregations receive their "inward focused" label.

A World of Opportunity

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports that the world is in the grips of a deepening recession. I look at it that we are in the grips of a world of opportunity. We just have to work smart at finding it.

Read more here.

Separately, I was a part of a vibrant panel discussion on global business early yesterday morning for Crain’s Chicago Business. I met so many interesting people and I just want to say, “thank you” to all who came up to me after the talk to say nice things. One attendee, a trained psychologist who specializes in family business said, “One of your statements really resonated with me.” And I quickly asked, “Oh, you mean the one about ‘begin with the end in mind?’” He said, “No, the one where you declared ‘make it very hard for people on the Internet not to find you.” To him and everyone else who attended, I say, “nice to meet you and thank you for listening!”

How To Close An Export Deal

I am not sure if you are following my export series over at OPEN Forum by American Express. If you are, ignore this post. If you aren’t, pay a visit to my latest two-part installment:

The Art of Closing the Export Deal

And as always, let me know what you think of it.

How To Close An Export Deal

I am not sure if you are following my export series over at OPEN Forum by American Express. If you are, ignore this post. If you aren’t, pay a visit to my latest two-part installment:

The Art of Closing the Export Deal

And as always, let me know what you think of it.

Brief information to take easy online payday loans

By Ken Himmel

We have come into a new age of receiving cash through payday loans online. This type of loan service allows borrowers to take advantage of a financial assistance that requires compelling immediate action. If you would like to avail of payday loans online you need to provide them with the information that they need and then after you can use the service.

In seeking for assistance regarding payday loans online, one has to log in to the internet to be able to surf on different web sites that would provide the service. One should be able to select the best payday loans online that would provide an uncomplicated type of form which you can fill out to complete the requirements. All transactions are made via the web site and then after submitting the processing of the application begins. You need to wait for the approval of the loan and then after it would be transferred to the borrowers account within a few hours or the following day.

Via payday loans online a borrower would be able to acquire financial assistance for various reasons such as car repairs, utility bills, medical expenditures and emergency cases as well. Eligibility depends on the requirements of the lender so make sure that you read the terms and conditions first before coming up with a certain decision in acquiring the service.

Usually payday loans online prerequisites includes the age bracket which the borrower has to be 18 years of legal age and above and then sometimes they as well require a monthly income bracket not less than a certain amount. They would as well require that you have legal residence in U.S.A. for a certain period of time and must have a banking account that is active for three to six months. The terms and conditions would be depending on the payday loans online lender and one has to comply with it to get the application approved immediately.

Since payday loans online are loans that can accommodate short term financing to the borrower, this is then classified as a type of unsecured loan. But as you login to the web site and provide the lender all the information regarding your personal contact and identification together with your banking account number, security wise you are safe. The online application enters your data to a secured database which stores your information to the servers in an encrypted form, from here you information will not be used by anybody for whatever purpose, so need to worry about that all.

Getting financial assistance nowadays is made easier via payday loans online. So once you feel that you’ll be needing cash for an emergency, don’t hesitate to get assistance online for you might find it more convenient on your end than any other loans available. - 23687

About the Author:

How to get payday loans online, simple bank payday loans, details about get easy payday loans, payday loans, get full information about payday loans. Get update yourself daily of finance markets.

How To Get The Best Health Insurance

By Irving Donaldson

There are things that you can buy off the shelf so to speak and then there are the bigger ticket items that you need to be more careful about. When you start out looking to but the best kind of health insurance you need to be careful. By all accounts, theres a bunch to learn about the differences between policies like student health insurance and critical care insurance , so youll need to have a bit of a background before you wade in and pick a policy.

And one of the first things that will help you along is getting the right team put together. And that team will be made up of people that are working for you to see to it that you get the very best in health insurance. And if you listen to the professionals, there are some criteria that you need to look for.

* Expertise. One of the best ways to look for expertise is to see what the firm that youre thinking about is capable of . Do they specialize in just one kind of affordable health insurance or are there several kinds that they can master? Youll want to go with a firm that can do several different things at once.

* Customer Care. you know that a company is serious when they put all that they have into a great customer care package. It stands to reason that the company with the best health care package will be able to back up all their claims with the best customer care as well. It doesnt matter whether it in the day or the night, you need to be able to rely on the best of these people to see you through any difficulties that you might be having.

* Flexibility. The best of these health insurance places will be able to shift gears to suit your needs as well. That means that theyll have a plan that will suit all you needs and theyll be in touch with all the best carriers so that a deal can be brokered for the kind of health insurance that you might need.

There are a few things that youll need to consider when youre looking at health insurance industry. Remember that there are a general set of criteria that youll be able to see have the best chance of getting you the kind of health insurance that you require. - 23687

About the Author:

Irving Donaldson is an expert about health insurance. He knows all the different angles that get clients the best in affordable health insurance.

How To Get The Best Health Insurance

By Irving Donaldson

There are things that you can buy off the shelf so to speak and then there are the bigger ticket items that you need to be more careful about. When you start out looking to but the best kind of health insurance you need to be careful. By all accounts, theres a bunch to learn about the differences between policies like student health insurance and critical care insurance , so youll need to have a bit of a background before you wade in and pick a policy.

And one of the first things that will help you along is getting the right team put together. And that team will be made up of people that are working for you to see to it that you get the very best in health insurance. And if you listen to the professionals, there are some criteria that you need to look for.

* Expertise. One of the best ways to look for expertise is to see what the firm that youre thinking about is capable of . Do they specialize in just one kind of affordable health insurance or are there several kinds that they can master? Youll want to go with a firm that can do several different things at once.

* Customer Care. you know that a company is serious when they put all that they have into a great customer care package. It stands to reason that the company with the best health care package will be able to back up all their claims with the best customer care as well. It doesnt matter whether it in the day or the night, you need to be able to rely on the best of these people to see you through any difficulties that you might be having.

* Flexibility. The best of these health insurance places will be able to shift gears to suit your needs as well. That means that theyll have a plan that will suit all you needs and theyll be in touch with all the best carriers so that a deal can be brokered for the kind of health insurance that you might need.

There are a few things that youll need to consider when youre looking at health insurance industry. Remember that there are a general set of criteria that youll be able to see have the best chance of getting you the kind of health insurance that you require. - 23687

About the Author:

Irving Donaldson is an expert about health insurance. He knows all the different angles that get clients the best in affordable health insurance.

Brief information to take easy online payday loans

By Ken Himmel

We have come into a new age of receiving cash through payday loans online. This type of loan service allows borrowers to take advantage of a financial assistance that requires compelling immediate action. If you would like to avail of payday loans online you need to provide them with the information that they need and then after you can use the service.

In seeking for assistance regarding payday loans online, one has to log in to the internet to be able to surf on different web sites that would provide the service. One should be able to select the best payday loans online that would provide an uncomplicated type of form which you can fill out to complete the requirements. All transactions are made via the web site and then after submitting the processing of the application begins. You need to wait for the approval of the loan and then after it would be transferred to the borrowers account within a few hours or the following day.

Via payday loans online a borrower would be able to acquire financial assistance for various reasons such as car repairs, utility bills, medical expenditures and emergency cases as well. Eligibility depends on the requirements of the lender so make sure that you read the terms and conditions first before coming up with a certain decision in acquiring the service.

Usually payday loans online prerequisites includes the age bracket which the borrower has to be 18 years of legal age and above and then sometimes they as well require a monthly income bracket not less than a certain amount. They would as well require that you have legal residence in U.S.A. for a certain period of time and must have a banking account that is active for three to six months. The terms and conditions would be depending on the payday loans online lender and one has to comply with it to get the application approved immediately.

Since payday loans online are loans that can accommodate short term financing to the borrower, this is then classified as a type of unsecured loan. But as you login to the web site and provide the lender all the information regarding your personal contact and identification together with your banking account number, security wise you are safe. The online application enters your data to a secured database which stores your information to the servers in an encrypted form, from here you information will not be used by anybody for whatever purpose, so need to worry about that all.

Getting financial assistance nowadays is made easier via payday loans online. So once you feel that you’ll be needing cash for an emergency, don’t hesitate to get assistance online for you might find it more convenient on your end than any other loans available. - 23687

About the Author:

How to get payday loans online, simple bank payday loans, details about get easy payday loans, payday loans, get full information about payday loans. Get update yourself daily of finance markets.

The Transforming Churches Network: Part 1, A Non-Native Invasion

You may have heard of the invasive plant species called kudzu, which has taken over the south. Originally imported from Asia and used extensively to control soil erosion, this non-native vine grows rapidly, overwhelming native plant species. It kills trees, covers abandoned buildings, and collapses power lines. Indigenous animals lose their food supplies, resulting in starvation. This foreign plant, which was meant to be a helpful aid, has instead become a complete disaster.

There's a similar invasion that is quietly going on in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), with congruent catastrophic results - the name of this non-native "species" that is currently invading the LCMS is the Mission Revitalization Process.

The Mission Revitalization program is an outgrowth of Ablaze!, and was begun by LCMS World Missions through its Revitalization Task Force. Its goal is to "revitalize" at least 2,000 LCMS congregations by 2017. 1/3 of its budget comes from the LCMS World Mission budget, a portion comes from other LCMS sources such as Fan into Flame and participating districts, with the remaining funds coming from private contributions. The Transforming Churches Network (TCN) operates the Mission Revitalization program. While the developers of TCN should be praised for their desire to "grow" the Church, their methods fall short of the Scriptural mark.

The voluntary transformation process begins when a team of trained consultants visit your congregation for a weekend, and develop five "prescriptions" which are designed to revitalize the congregation. These prescriptions include turning your congregation from an alleged inward focus to a missiological outward focus using "vision," leadership development, and an Accountable Leadership Model. The Accountable Leadership Model remodels your church bylaws, turning the pastor into the CEO, complete with a (usually) three-person Board of Directors, and turning the parishioners into the ministers of the congregation. Does any of this sound vaguely familiar? It should, because it's at the heart of Church Growth Movement (CGM) thinking.

"The ultimate goal of TCN is to bring about a deep and systemic change in the Missouri Synod, and for us to accomplish that not only do we need to provide training and resources for existing pastors and congregations, but we also want to make a significant impact on the formation of new church leaders at the seminary and university levels" (online reference). Supplementing the program are other spinoffs. The District supplies a coach for at least one year who guides the pastor and congregational "leaders" as they make the paradigm shift from Word and Sacrament ministry to a CGM ministry (not all Districts are participating). There is a "learning community" for both the pastors and the lay leaders, which utilizes the Ablaze! Leading series. It "offers training modules to equip pastors and church leaders to develop leadership skills necessary to support the change in culture of a congregation consistent with a shift in focus from an inward to outward" (online reference).

Triads are formed, which consist of three people - a mature Christian, a new Christian, and a "seeker," which meet regularly around prayer and Scripture. "Triads arise out of the initiative of individual Christians, not church programs, and become a non-threatening place for seekers to ask questions, share concerns and meet the personal Jesus" (online reference).

A small group model called Groups Ablaze! is put into place. It is billed as "a simple non-threatening process which prepares congregational members, meeting in small groups to form relationships with people outside the church and sharing the good news of Salvation in Christ with them. Six modules, each spanning six weeks of discussion material lead small groups to be motivated and spiritually equipped to effectively respond to the Great Commission of Jesus. Groups Ablaze! is currently being used by nearly 300 congregations in a dozen LCMS districts." It is modeled on cell church principles, which are often problematic.

The myriad of programs that are cobbled together to create the Mission Revitalization Process come from the minds and theology of non-Lutherans. I counted at least nineteen different books recommended by TCN to shape the perspective of TCN participants - they were written by people who were Baptist, Methodist, Disciples of Christ, Fellowship of Grace Brethren, non-denominational, secular, even one Mormon, but not a single Lutheran.

The concept of Triads come from Fellowship of Grace Brethren pastor Neil Cole in his book Cultivating a Life for God. He is the founder and executive director of Church Multiplication Associates.

The congregation consultation process, which is at the heart of TCN, comes from the founder of Growing Healthy Churches, Baptist pastor Paul Borden. "He has been a lead consultant in a number of LCMS Congregations this past year, and his methodology has had a major influence on the consulting process developed by the Transforming Congregations Network (TCN)" (online reference). The methodology comes straight from his book Direct Hit. A good indicator of where his group gets it's "theology" can be deduced from the article on their website titled "What Can the Church Learn from Costco?" (Their answer to the question is not "Nothing.")

The coaching model used for Groups Ablaze!, called the GROW model, comes from the book Coaching for Performance, written by the Executive Chairman of Performance Consultants International, Sir John Whitmore. According to his website, he "is a pre-eminent thinker in leadership and organisational change and works globally with leading multinational corporations to establish coaching management cultures and leadership programmes."

A synopsis of his book states:

Translated into over a dozen languages, this essential training guide has been used by organizations large and small, in nearly every corner of the world—from Coca-Cola, IBM and Ford Motor Company to the Hollywood, Florida, Police Department—to develop the personal and professional skills leaders need. This new edition introduces three new chapters, expanded examples, and an update to Whitmore's original GROW model for fundamentally transforming management style and culture. New material includes additional chapters on raising self-esteem, incorporating meaning and purpose into work, setting goals, and adding a spiritual approach to coaching. A new section explains how to improve performance by applying coaching to organizational culture (online reference).

The chief consultant and strategist for TCN is the President of Missions International, Dwight Marable, who is reported to be a Baptist.

Their mission statement reads: "…'to have the greatest impact possible on where the largest number of people possible spend eternity' is carried out primarily through doing quality research on what the Holy Spirit is doing and creating training tools for pastors and leaders from the research." According to his website, "Dwight had a personal encounter with Christ and devoted his life to Him in 1963." His statement is typical of those who have built the TCN foundation, and indicates that his interest lies in the "Jesus in me" rather than the "Jesus for me." Whether these consultants have "a personal encounter with Christ," or "decide for Christ," the one thing they don't have is a proper understanding of Scripture - a requirement that is absolutely critical when you are teaching Christ's Church.

All of these consultants are steeped in Church Growth Movement ideology, which is generally constructed by those who don't believe that conversion comes by hearing the Word of God without a "decision" on your part, or who don't believe that conversion comes by the operation of the Holy Spirit through means. When you don't believe that the Word has the power to convert unbelievers, then helping the Holy Spirit with your own techniques in order to "convince them" becomes the modus operandi. The Scriptures become an instruction manual on how to live your life, rather than the unfolding of God's divine plan of salvation in Jesus Christ. Since they hold to a flawed Christology, all other articles of faith, such as their views on sanctification, the Church, the Office of the Holy Ministry, and the Sacraments, are corrupted. Evangelism, which should be entwined with the liturgy, Word, and Sacrament, becomes a pragmatic board game played out on squares labeled "sociological studies," "emotion," "felt needs," "business marketing," "assessment testing," "accountability," "coaching," "attitudinal changes," and "psychological manipulation."

These distorted CGM ideas become the riverbed from which the "mission" of the Transforming Churches Network flows. Next time, we'll take a look at how their flawed ideas manifest themselves in the life of the Church.

photo credit: Exothermic

How To Position Your Business Now For When Exports Recover

As exports declined, China’s Alibaba.com came up with a strategy to make its service a lot more affordable.

A lesson for us all is in this story: How to position your business now for when exports recover.

Read more here.

Photo: (from left to right) Paul Chow, Chief Executive of HKEx; David Wei, CEO of Alibaba.com; Jack Ma, CEO of Alibaba Group; and Ron Arculli, Chairman of HKEx — back when Alibaba.com commenced trading on the HKEx.

The Transforming Churches Network: Part 1, A Non-Native Invasion

You may have heard of the invasive plant species called kudzu, which has taken over the south. Originally imported from Asia and used extensively to control soil erosion, this non-native vine grows rapidly, overwhelming native plant species. It kills trees, covers abandoned buildings, and collapses power lines. Indigenous animals lose their food supplies, resulting in starvation. This foreign plant, which was meant to be a helpful aid, has instead become a complete disaster.

There's a similar invasion that is quietly going on in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), with congruent catastrophic results - the name of this non-native "species" that is currently invading the LCMS is the Mission Revitalization Process.

The Mission Revitalization program is an outgrowth of Ablaze!, and was begun by LCMS World Missions through its Revitalization Task Force. Its goal is to "revitalize" at least 2,000 LCMS congregations by 2017. 1/3 of its budget comes from the LCMS World Mission budget, a portion comes from other LCMS sources such as Fan into Flame and participating districts, with the remaining funds coming from private contributions. The Transforming Churches Network (TCN) operates the Mission Revitalization program. While the developers of TCN should be praised for their desire to "grow" the Church, their methods fall short of the Scriptural mark.

The voluntary transformation process begins when a team of trained consultants visit your congregation for a weekend, and develop five "prescriptions" which are designed to revitalize the congregation. These prescriptions include turning your congregation from an alleged inward focus to a missiological outward focus using "vision," leadership development, and an Accountable Leadership Model. The Accountable Leadership Model remodels your church bylaws, turning the pastor into the CEO, complete with a (usually) three-person Board of Directors, and turning the parishioners into the ministers of the congregation. Does any of this sound vaguely familiar? It should, because it's at the heart of Church Growth Movement (CGM) thinking.

"The ultimate goal of TCN is to bring about a deep and systemic change in the Missouri Synod, and for us to accomplish that not only do we need to provide training and resources for existing pastors and congregations, but we also want to make a significant impact on the formation of new church leaders at the seminary and university levels" (online reference). Supplementing the program are other spinoffs. The District supplies a coach for at least one year who guides the pastor and congregational "leaders" as they make the paradigm shift from Word and Sacrament ministry to a CGM ministry (not all Districts are participating). There is a "learning community" for both the pastors and the lay leaders, which utilizes the Ablaze! Leading series. It "offers training modules to equip pastors and church leaders to develop leadership skills necessary to support the change in culture of a congregation consistent with a shift in focus from an inward to outward" (online reference).

Triads are formed, which consist of three people - a mature Christian, a new Christian, and a "seeker," which meet regularly around prayer and Scripture. "Triads arise out of the initiative of individual Christians, not church programs, and become a non-threatening place for seekers to ask questions, share concerns and meet the personal Jesus" (online reference).

A small group model called Groups Ablaze! is put into place. It is billed as "a simple non-threatening process which prepares congregational members, meeting in small groups to form relationships with people outside the church and sharing the good news of Salvation in Christ with them. Six modules, each spanning six weeks of discussion material lead small groups to be motivated and spiritually equipped to effectively respond to the Great Commission of Jesus. Groups Ablaze! is currently being used by nearly 300 congregations in a dozen LCMS districts." It is modeled on cell church principles, which are often problematic.

The myriad of programs that are cobbled together to create the Mission Revitalization Process come from the minds and theology of non-Lutherans. I counted at least nineteen different books recommended by TCN to shape the perspective of TCN participants - they were written by people who were Baptist, Methodist, Disciples of Christ, Fellowship of Grace Brethren, non-denominational, secular, even one Mormon, but not a single Lutheran.

The concept of Triads come from Fellowship of Grace Brethren pastor Neil Cole in his book Cultivating a Life for God. He is the founder and executive director of Church Multiplication Associates.

The congregation consultation process, which is at the heart of TCN, comes from the founder of Growing Healthy Churches, Baptist pastor Paul Borden. "He has been a lead consultant in a number of LCMS Congregations this past year, and his methodology has had a major influence on the consulting process developed by the Transforming Congregations Network (TCN)" (online reference). The methodology comes straight from his book Direct Hit. A good indicator of where his group gets it's "theology" can be deduced from the article on their website titled "What Can the Church Learn from Costco?" (Their answer to the question is not "Nothing.")

The coaching model used for Groups Ablaze!, called the GROW model, comes from the book Coaching for Performance, written by the Executive Chairman of Performance Consultants International, Sir John Whitmore. According to his website, he "is a pre-eminent thinker in leadership and organisational change and works globally with leading multinational corporations to establish coaching management cultures and leadership programmes."

A synopsis of his book states:

Translated into over a dozen languages, this essential training guide has been used by organizations large and small, in nearly every corner of the world—from Coca-Cola, IBM and Ford Motor Company to the Hollywood, Florida, Police Department—to develop the personal and professional skills leaders need. This new edition introduces three new chapters, expanded examples, and an update to Whitmore's original GROW model for fundamentally transforming management style and culture. New material includes additional chapters on raising self-esteem, incorporating meaning and purpose into work, setting goals, and adding a spiritual approach to coaching. A new section explains how to improve performance by applying coaching to organizational culture (online reference).

The chief consultant and strategist for TCN is the President of Missions International, Dwight Marable, who is reported to be a Baptist.

Their mission statement reads: "…'to have the greatest impact possible on where the largest number of people possible spend eternity' is carried out primarily through doing quality research on what the Holy Spirit is doing and creating training tools for pastors and leaders from the research." According to his website, "Dwight had a personal encounter with Christ and devoted his life to Him in 1963." His statement is typical of those who have built the TCN foundation, and indicates that his interest lies in the "Jesus in me" rather than the "Jesus for me." Whether these consultants have "a personal encounter with Christ," or "decide for Christ," the one thing they don't have is a proper understanding of Scripture - a requirement that is absolutely critical when you are teaching Christ's Church.

All of these consultants are steeped in Church Growth Movement ideology, which is generally constructed by those who don't believe that conversion comes by hearing the Word of God without a "decision" on your part, or who don't believe that conversion comes by the operation of the Holy Spirit through means. When you don't believe that the Word has the power to convert unbelievers, then helping the Holy Spirit with your own techniques in order to "convince them" becomes the modus operandi. The Scriptures become an instruction manual on how to live your life, rather than the unfolding of God's divine plan of salvation in Jesus Christ. Since they hold to a flawed Christology, all other articles of faith, such as their views on sanctification, the Church, the Office of the Holy Ministry, and the Sacraments, are corrupted. Evangelism, which should be entwined with the liturgy, Word, and Sacrament, becomes a pragmatic board game played out on squares labeled "sociological studies," "emotion," "felt needs," "business marketing," "assessment testing," "accountability," "coaching," "attitudinal changes," and "psychological manipulation."

These distorted CGM ideas become the riverbed from which the "mission" of the Transforming Churches Network flows. Next time, we'll take a look at how their flawed ideas manifest themselves in the life of the Church.

photo credit: Exothermic

How To Position Your Business Now For When Exports Recover

As exports declined, China’s Alibaba.com came up with a strategy to make its service a lot more affordable.

A lesson for us all is in this story: How to position your business now for when exports recover.

Read more here.

Photo: (from left to right) Paul Chow, Chief Executive of HKEx; David Wei, CEO of Alibaba.com; Jack Ma, CEO of Alibaba Group; and Ron Arculli, Chairman of HKEx — back when Alibaba.com commenced trading on the HKEx.

Be In The Loop. Learn Forex.

By Bart Icles

The fact that you are interested in trading in the forex market and wants to find out what the different complexities of it are just proves the fact that you - along with a lot other forex trading hopefuls - have learned how lucrative and easy trading in the forex market is when you use the right strategy. You might know somebody who has already made chunks of money in forex trading. A lot of people, though, are trying their luck in the forex market lose a lot of money. If you do not want to be one of them, you should learn forex.

Statistically almost all positive things you read about forex - forex trading success stories, etc. - just occur about 30% of the time when trading. Yes, you guessed it right. Majority lose good chunks of their hard-earned money when they could have spent them for more important day-to-day needs. What, then, makes those who succeed really succeed and earn millions in the process?

For you to be able to belong in the 30% pie of the forex trading success stories, you should do one thing: Learn Forex! When you learn forex, you will have the luxury of working lesser and lesser hours since you pretty much earn way more in a month than you can earn in your normal job in a year. When you learn forex, you will also be able to experience just being in the confines of your favorite hang outs and yet be earning thousands - even millions if you get really lucky and play your strategies right - by just being in front of your laptop or desktop manipulating the keys and making the right calls. Try not to be swayed by beginner’s luck because chances are, if you are a beginner and trade head-on without learning everything there is that you need to know about the forex market, then you’re almost sure to be losing most of your hard-earned bucks.

Here are the 7 reasons why you should learn forex:

1. The forex market is the biggest and most lucrative market there is.

2. You can win on either side of the market.

3. You can trade anytime since it has a 24-hour trading window and is available worldwide.

4. You can trade in the comfort of your own home.

5. There is no need for a very large sum of money to invest.

6. You can manage your earnings all your own since it’s pretty much easy to understand.

7. With the right strategy and proper practice with a dummy account, you can, more or less, be able to predict what will happen.

Learn forex and earn the rewards now. - 23687

About the Author:

Forex trading starts with a desire to learn and a drive to become a great trader. Learning forex strategy takes dedication and a good teacher. But once you learn how to trade and do so successfully your life will change and you have options and financial resources you never had before.

Be In The Loop. Learn Forex.

By Bart Icles

The fact that you are interested in trading in the forex market and wants to find out what the different complexities of it are just proves the fact that you - along with a lot other forex trading hopefuls - have learned how lucrative and easy trading in the forex market is when you use the right strategy. You might know somebody who has already made chunks of money in forex trading. A lot of people, though, are trying their luck in the forex market lose a lot of money. If you do not want to be one of them, you should learn forex.

Statistically almost all positive things you read about forex - forex trading success stories, etc. - just occur about 30% of the time when trading. Yes, you guessed it right. Majority lose good chunks of their hard-earned money when they could have spent them for more important day-to-day needs. What, then, makes those who succeed really succeed and earn millions in the process?

For you to be able to belong in the 30% pie of the forex trading success stories, you should do one thing: Learn Forex! When you learn forex, you will have the luxury of working lesser and lesser hours since you pretty much earn way more in a month than you can earn in your normal job in a year. When you learn forex, you will also be able to experience just being in the confines of your favorite hang outs and yet be earning thousands - even millions if you get really lucky and play your strategies right - by just being in front of your laptop or desktop manipulating the keys and making the right calls. Try not to be swayed by beginner’s luck because chances are, if you are a beginner and trade head-on without learning everything there is that you need to know about the forex market, then you’re almost sure to be losing most of your hard-earned bucks.

Here are the 7 reasons why you should learn forex:

1. The forex market is the biggest and most lucrative market there is.

2. You can win on either side of the market.

3. You can trade anytime since it has a 24-hour trading window and is available worldwide.

4. You can trade in the comfort of your own home.

5. There is no need for a very large sum of money to invest.

6. You can manage your earnings all your own since it’s pretty much easy to understand.

7. With the right strategy and proper practice with a dummy account, you can, more or less, be able to predict what will happen.

Learn forex and earn the rewards now. - 23687

About the Author:

Forex trading starts with a desire to learn and a drive to become a great trader. Learning forex strategy takes dedication and a good teacher. But once you learn how to trade and do so successfully your life will change and you have options and financial resources you never had before.

The Best Way To Succeed In Any Real Estate Market

By Colon Bolden

Whether you’re a real estate agent with experience or no experience at all, you have to know the best way to succeed in any real estate market. Here are four keys that can help you get there:

(a) You must have knowledge; (b) You must know the real estate cycle; (c) You definately must know the area; (d) You should know the right strategy to use for any given situation.

What ever you do don’t never take for granted that you can possibly do everything right and still not wind up losing. But your mistake will drop dramatically when you know what to avoid and what situation to take.

When the situation seems like you’re confronted with a potential loss, many people accept their situation and take their losses. You have to turn a potential money losing real estate transaction into a sure money winning transaction.

Its imperative that you always focus on a positive solution no matter what the situation might be. Because by learning different real estate techniques, having a winning outcome can become an easy and normal task.

You make your money by being very creative. You can find yourself a great deal in a great area and make a lot of money. Or you could find a bad property in an even worse area and still come out ahead and make money. When I told you earlier to always focus on a positive solution because anything is possible.

In conclusion, you want to minimize your risks because no technique can be 100% fool-proof. Think differently and you will understand that it’s possible to make money in any real estate market without ever having to risk it all.

- 23687

About the Author:

For savvy entrepreneurs looking to combine a extraordinary income with a flexible schedule and looking for multiple income streams with a passion and a desire to take their financial futures into their own hands will find this exciting, visit 2×2 prosperity formula