A brief video report and request from Dr. Phelan, President of IBL. Support us at https://www.iblministry.org/donate/
End of Year Report and Request (Video)
Faithfully Advancing: Update from IBL's President
We are burdened to make a difference! This is the final sentence of IBL’s vision. And it expresses the sentiment of every IBL team member. We long to see God’s leaders advance in their understanding and practice of biblical leadership. We are excited when we see God’s Word make a difference in a leader’s life and ministry, to see their renewed enthusiasm for the work of the ministry, and to observe the God-glorifying impact on the ministries they lead.
Side by Side (Summer 2018)
An Interview with Dr. Russ Lloyd
Signs of Healthy Churches: Unified Purpose
In Ephesians chapter 4, Paul turns his attention to the matter of unity within the body of Christ as he exhorts us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ (verse 1). The first half of the chapter provides a vivid portrayal of the type of unity that should characterize the functioning of the church: Spirit-led, interdependent co-laboring of diversely gifted yet deeply integrated, mature followers of Jesus Christ.
IBL in Kenya: Developing Spiritual Leaders Who Train Others
We are excited about a new opportunity to expand our impact in the country of Kenya. Having successfully completed an initial five-year training program with Pastor Wilfred Githongo in Kijabe, we are now planning to conduct parallel programs in Kijabe and Nairobi. This will be a significant expansion of our efforts in Kenya. It is a step that we are taking deliberately and carefully, being faithfully obedient to the Holy Spirit’s leading and IBL’s vision to “equip and encourage spiritual leaders.”
Four Biblical Signs of Healthy Relationships
In Philippians 4:2, Paul begins the final section of his book to the church at Philippi. He states, “I entreat [urge, plead with] Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together…” The Bible does not share a great deal of information about these two women. Obviously, they had labored together with Paul and now they were having relational issues. Paul makes some interesting statements here in the passage regarding relational health within the body.
Collaborative Leaders vs. Egotistical Leaders
In the short yet powerful epistle of 3 John, the reader is presented with a comparison. On the one hand there is the Godly leader Gaius who apparently was impacted personally by John’s leadership and ministry. If you look closely at the first several verses, you will notice that John was committed to truth, hospitality and sharing the Lord’s work with other leaders. John was a collaborative leader and Gaius faithfully followed in John’s footsteps. These men contrast with the egotistical leader named Diotrephes. John notes that this leader was so preoccupied with his own greatness and agenda he actively pushed away anyone not assisting him in his all-consuming quest for preeminence.
