Word of Hope Blog
Read the latest thoughts from Ralph Moore, a veteran practitioner in disciple making and church multiplication.
So What’s the Risk/Reward Ratio?
I recently sat in a circle of disciplemakers when concerns arose over opening doors too quickly. One person expressed fear over tossing people into deep water where they might drown. I immediately thought of a father who allowed his infant son to swim before he could walk. Reward Outweighs Risk The dad released the boy…
Our Unfaith – Part 2
The church in America is in stasis. Growth is offset by churches (and people) dying. We need to ramp things up if we intend to live as salt in the earth. A look at the earliest Christ-followers is revealing. We’ve become disqualifiers for ministry instead of equippers. If you see the early church as an…
Our Unfaith – Part 1
Paul had a bad day in Lystra when he was stoned and left for dead, “Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead” (Acts 14:19 ESV). Things got better after “the disciples gathered about him” (I’m guessing…
What Does an “Open Source” Leader Look Like? by Bill Yaccino
As one who worked (many moons ago) in the field of information technology, I recently made a connection between “Open Source” software development communities and multiplying leaders passionate about building the future of the Church. Open Source Communities Open Source communities produce software (like the Linux operating systems) then they give the software and the…
Making New Friends: Books That Command Attention
My friend Richard Agozino developed a unique approach to discipling total strangers. It worked well, but I think we’re learning to do it better. In 1971 we planted the first Hope Chapel. In 1972 Richard Agozino launched the first church plant from our congregation. He was a freelance pastor leading a microchurch that grew to…
APEST: A Pest or A Point?
I recently participated in an event where the introduction of APEST (apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers) precipitated confusion due to the root theology of several of the attendees. Some felt that there is no place for apostles and prophets in today’s church. Others contend that the omission of these two leadership gifts explains why…
Seven Action Shifts to Move Us to Level 5
Most cars come with four- or five-speed transmissions. Today’s Corvette sports a seven-speed unit. The car nearly flies at speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour. The purpose behind all multi-geared cars is efficiency. An engine doesn’t need to work as hard to get the vehicle moving in the lower-ratio gears. And as a…
Heads-Up for the Outliers In Our Midst
Who are the people who fit in your church in spite of their own culture? They are “outliers” to the main body of your congregation. And they are potential microchurch planters if you can get your head around the concept. A microchurch is an autonomous congregation linked to a mother church through its pastor. More…
The Temptation to Limitation
I love old British sportscars. I’ve owned the two models you see in the picture above. They are beautiful, simple to work on and get lots of attention when you drive them. But the older ones can’t go more than 80 mph and there’s no air condition. Still I’m tempted to sell my Mustang and…
Hippity, Hoppity Hope
Step out of line and you ensure the ire of the religious people among us. Three people illustrated this, nastily, when my wife and I first planted a church. Their deepest problem was fear of change, but it came out in anger and hostility. Sadly, they were very funny people. Their anger only highlighted their…