Monday Funday: Video—What good fathering looks like...

It may have something to do with the fact that I have six daughters (four of whom are ages 13-20), but I REALLY like the father in this commercial.

Discipleship or Disciplemaking?

Which one of below is discipleship and which one is disciplemaking? Why?

What are the differences between discipleship and disciplemaking?

Why does it matter?

Consider why your life is too short to do discipleship.

Quotes from the article:

"Perhaps the mark of a growing church or ministry isn't how many people are coming into it, but rather how many disciplemakers are being sent out from it."

"We call this multiplication of Jesus-like disciplemakers and DLCs "D3 Disciplemaking." D1 inflow happens when we intentionally set about living a life of loving God and loving people. D2 is the overflow from a D1 lifestyle that enables us to help others begin or deepen their adventures of loving God and loving people. With the consistent inflow of D1 and overflow of D2, we enjoy D3-where it's our privilege to help others help others to love God and love people. D3 = three generations of disciplemaking. If you can't count at least three generations, you're probably doing discipleship, not Jesus-like disciplemaking. There is a world of difference between discipleship and disciplemaking. Think about it. "

To read the full article, go here.

Monday Funday: My Wife the Comedian

I'm driving home. My cell phone rings. I look to see who is calling. It's my wife, Stacy.

I answer the phone in a low, slow, sexy voice, "Sexy Stud Hotline—can I help you?"

Without missing a beat, my wife says, "I'm sorry—I must have the wrong number. I was trying to reach my husband."

I wished I was making this story up... I really do.


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Leadership: There Is a Better Way

Before you fall in love with the latest leadership jargon and jump on the buzzword bandwagon, consider the fact that words alone will never make you a leader.

They make you a talker.

However, there is a better way… if you're daring enough.

You can lead with your life… not just your lips.

Monday Funday: Baby's First Lightsaber

We're raising a Jedi Master who will bring balance to the force. Either that or she'll really knock the balance off so bad it will be end of the world as we know it. Stay tuned.  We'll let you know.

Spoken Word Poetry by Emily Allison

Yes… this is 2 minutes and 30 seconds of my daughter… talking about God… and my mother.
(If video doesn't appear, watch here.)

Get blog posts from Cup O' Joe in your email inbox! You'll hear from me 1-2x a week. Email addresses are never shared with anyone and you can unsubscribe at anytime. Subscribe to Cup O' Joe with Bill by Email. Thanks for letting us keep in touch with you. 

Monday Funday—Surviving Driver's Ed (Again): A True Story

I picked up my fifteen year old son from school. When he got into the car, he announced, "I can drive now."

Having been through this with his older sister, I saw the teachable moment and tried to lean into it. "Just because the state of Illinois gives you a permit and says you can now start driving with your parents in no way means that you can actually drive."

Unrelenting, my son spit back, "I'm a great driver."

Just as unrelenting, I shot back, "Driving the riding lawn mower at home in the yard and driving a car between the lines without actually hitting another car, stationary object, or a person are two different things."

"But I took a test in Driver's Ed today and passed. See, I'm a great driver," he affirmed waving a piece of paper in his hands.

"Passing a written driving test in a classroom in no way whatsoever means that you can actually drive a real car on a real road with other real cars around you. Really."

Then he threw down the challenge. He played the ace in his hand. "What's wrong old man? Afraid my driving is better than yours?"

The teacher/trainer in me kicked in. You see, when the learner is not getting the obvious point, the teacher/trainer may opt for "creative" teaching measures. This would be a good time to call his bluff and attempt to bring him back to reality. I calmly pulled the car over into a McDonald's parking lot. Put it into park. Got out and walked around to the passenger side front door. Opened it and said, "Let's go Mr. World's-Greatest-Driver-whose-never-actually-driven-a-car-before. Show me what you've got." 

He looked stunned, but he quickly got out his seat and situated himself behind the driver's side of the car. He adjusted the seat, the mirrors, and fascended his seatbelt. So far so good. Then he stopped and looked down at the floor for what seemed an inordinate amount of time. I entertained the thought that he might be praying. Then suddenly he looked up at me with complete seriousness and asked, "Now which one of these pedals is the brake?"

I rest my case.

Simple. Profound. But Not Obvious.

A true story….

A small group of youth pastors gathered together for their monthly network meeting. The newest and youngest youth pastor asked the more experienced youth pastors, "What youth ministry resources would you recommend to me as I get started?"

The must-read book suggestions came fast and furious as the more experienced youth leaders pitched their favorite ministry books to the newbie.  The young youth pastor fervently scribbled down the titles. This went on until the list was quite long.

When the book suggestions finally slowed down long enough for everyone to catch a breath, one youth leader, previously quiet, simply said, "Or, you can study the Gospels, take note of how Jesus did ministry and try to do what He did."

Simple. Profound. But not obvious.

And therefore, extremely sad.

There. I said it.

Monday Funday: Coincidence or Satanic Conspiracy?

On January 1st, we start our new year resolutions such as dieting, fasting, and eating right.

A mere 16 days later, Girl Scout Cookies arrive at our door.

Coincidence or Satanic conspiracy?

You decide.


Get blog posts from Cup O' Joe in your email inbox! You'll hear from me 1-2x a week. Email addresses are never shared with anyone and you can unsubscribe at anytime. Subscribe to Cup O' Joe with Bill by Email. Thanks for letting us keep in touch with you. 

Get Equipped in Central, IL!

This par-tay is gonna be C-R-A-Z-Y… and you won't want to miss it… especially if you volunteer in any capacity at your church! People from all over the state… and all the surrounding states will be there. I kid you not. What am I talking about?  I'm talking about…

It's all going down on February 24-25 at Peoria Christian School. Complete details here.  

But first, here's WHY you should attend Equip this year.

Here's what Cadre Ministries is bringing for encouragement and equipping for the two days:

Friday:

Turning Pew Potatoes Into Passionate Participators
by Bill Allison, 9:15 AM, Choir Room

About 20% of churchgoers volunteer their time and talents in their church. That means about 80% of the people in our churches are pew potatoes. This is not only unhealthy, it's unbiblical. How can we cooperate with God in turning pew potatoes into passionate participators? Come and find out.

Disciplemaking Is Relationships
by Bill Allison, 10:45 AM, Choir Room

Jesus-like disciplemaking isn't a program, it's a way of life. If you're interesting in developing a Jesus-like way of life, then this workshop is for you. Bring you Bible, pen, notebook, and some friends because disciplemaking is relationships.

The Teaching Genius of Jesus
by Bill Allison, 2:45 PM, Choir Room

It's time to take your teaching cues from the greatest teacher who ever graced the planet—JESUS! Come to explore, discover, and apply The Teaching Genius of Jesus to your life and ministry as a volunteer teacher or small group leader. Bring your Bible!

The Challenge of Finishing Well
by Bill Allison, 4:30 PM, Choir Room

The spiritual racetrack of life is littered with the broken lives of those who had great starts. Many of these folks were smarter, stronger, more talented, and even more pious than most of us—but for one reason or another—they did NOT finish well. Does that concern you? It should. To truly finish this life well, you must run strong all the way to the end. That's exactly what we'll explore together in this workshop.

Saturday:

Time Management for Painfully Pooped-Out People
by Bill Allison, 8 AM, Choir Room

This is NOT your typical time management workshop! You won't leave this training with more to do in your already overloaded life. Instead, you will learn to wrestle with what God wants you to say yes to—and then how deal with the rest. You can expect lots of interaction, Bible study (bring your Bibles and schedule planners), and FUN.

The Disciplemaking Genius of Jesus
by Bill Allison, 11 AM, Choir Room

Jesus is the master disciplemaker. He commanded you to make disciples like Him. This session is for those who would like to explore the disciplemaking genius of Jesus and what that looks like for us today. Bring your Bible, pen, notebook and some friends.

Your First and Most Important Job as a Volunteer in the Church
by Bill Allison, 2:30 PM, Choir Room

What's the most important thing you can do as a volunteer in church? You might be surprised at what you find out in this workshop. If you're a volunteer, this is for you!

Seven Biblical Ways God Wants You to Encourage Your Pastor
by Bill Allison, 4 PM, Choir Room

Your pastor, by calling, is an encourager. But who is encouraging your pastor? While pastoring can be tremendously rewarding, it can also be daunting, demanding, and disheartening. Make no mistake about it: Your pastor needs your encouragement. And God's Word shows YOU at least seven biblical ways to encourage your pastor. This workshop is for you... not your pastor.

Come to take in the training and then hangout with Bill and the lovely Stacy Allison (and probably baby Ivy) at the Cadre Ministries booth in the exhibit hall.  And bring a few friends from your church/ministry with you.