Church Health
Bearing Witness to God’s Word
Hi. My name’s Craig Hardinger. I’m the executive director of VCN Churches in Northern California and Nevada. And I’d like to begin with a song. “The B I B L E. Yes, that’s the book for me. I stand alone on the word of God, the B I B L E.” Don’t you just…
Read MoreBiblically Faithful
A few years ago, I was visiting one of our WorldVenture missionaries in western Uganda. I spent the day encouraging and training pastors at their bible college. During our time together, it was obvious there was tension in the room. Something was going on. And so when I asked Dary about it at the break…
Read MoreMeasuring Results
If there’s anything these last couple of years has forced us to do, it’s to evaluate. What is ministry all about? What results should we be looking at when we’re restricted in terms of gatherings and engagements? How do we do ministry? What’s important? Will Mancini in his book, Innovating Discipleship, talks about three types…
Read MoreEncourage One Another
Hey Venture Church Network. I’m up at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin at a pastor’s gathering of our Midwest VCN region. It’s a beautiful spot, beautiful spot, wish you could be here. It’s beautiful to walk around the grounds of this conference center, but it’s also beautiful to watch the engagement and connecting that’s happening with pastors…
Read MoreRelationally Committed
One of our values at Venture Church Network is being relationally committed, something we believe is important to the body of Christ. I’d love to share my story of the time I got to experience what being relationally committed meant. I currently pastor at Desert Springs Community Church in Goodyear, Arizona. This church was…
Read MoreDiscipling the Next Generation of Leaders
One of our passions at Venture Church Network is to equip and empower the next generation of young people to not only love Jesus but spread that gospel presence all around their entire community. Northwest Hills Community Church is making this happen through its incredible internship program. Check out what the staff and interns…
Read MoreMaking Disciples VS Attendees
In Kyle Idleman’s book, “Not a Fan,” there’s a part where Kyle speaks to a father whose daughter had left the faith. The father says to him, “My wife and I were diligent in raising her in church. But we were not in raising her in Jesus.” It forced me to ask myself, “Have…
Read MoreThe Hope of the Gospel
Here at Venture Church Network, we want to take the next few months to evaluate our values and ask ourselves if we’re clinging to them. It makes sense that we start with our first value: gospel driven. After all, defending the true gospel was the reason this network started decades ago. Does the Gospel…
Read MoreBe Strong and of Courage
2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” For so many pastors and ministry leaders, this verse feels more relevant now than ever. No seminary could have prepared pastors for the COVID pandemic, street riots, political tension, and all…
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