I’m Steve Lawes
Certified Church Consultant
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Church in Decline? Plateaud?
Helping Churches Thrive
Utilizing a process we call “Virtual Church Consulting” we work with you through a series of steps to help pinpoint problems and offer solutions. This all online church consulting method is effective and affordable.
Internet Impact (Learn about your digital footprint)
Community Statistics (Learn about your community)
Effective Outreach Ideas (Learn how to reach your community)
Church Marketing (Help your community learn about your church)
Internet Impact
Your website is the “digital foyer” for the church. It is the first impression for almost everyone that visits your church.
Community Statistics
Demographic information is helpful in getting an overview of what is happening in your community.
Church Marketing
Church marketing is a tool to help people who are in need of what your church offers to be able to connect with you.
Effective Outreach Ideas
An outreach strategy is a specific set of tactics intended to ultimately attract new people to your church.
Meet Steve Lawes
Steve Lawes is a Certified Church Consultant. He has been the lead Pastor of Keys Vineyard Church in Big Pine Key since 1992. He has a Bachelors Degree in Bible and Theology from Berean University and Masters and PhD Degrees from Atlantic Coast Theological Seminary. He lead the Cuba Missions Team for Vineyard Missions from 1995-2005 and traveled to Cuba more than twenty times helping to plant churches and build up local leaders. He served as the South Florida Area Leader for the Association of Vineyard Churches for ten years. He also founded the Jesus Moment Bible Institute and Seminary in 2014 which has a student enrollment of over 2000. He has written three devotional books, Daily Psalt Intake, Daily Sage Intake and Daily Strength Training which are now out of print but are currently available as free e-books.
Free Ebook - Nine Point Church Consulting Strategy
Recent Posts from Church Consultant
How to Use Scripture to Overcome Temptation: Lessons from Jesus
Jesus demonstrated a profound love for Scripture, using it as an instrumental part of his ministry and life. His example shows us how to effectively use God’s Word to overcome temptation and live faithfully.
Why is the Bible Important for Christians?
The Bible was central to Jesus’ life and ministry. He regularly taught from it in synagogues and used it to guide his actions. Archaeological discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls have confirmed the remarkable preservation and accuracy of biblical texts across thousands of years, giving us confidence that we have access to the same Scriptures Jesus used.
How Did Jesus Use Scripture to Fight Temptation?
In Luke 4, we see Jesus face three key temptations from Satan in the wilderness:
Physical temptation (turn stones to bread)
Power and authority temptation (worship Satan for worldly kingdoms)
Pride temptation (throw yourself down from the temple)
In each case, Jesus responded by quoting Scripture and doing “the next right thing” according to God’s Word rather than taking shortcuts or compromising.
What Are the Three Main Types of Temptation We Face?
Lust of the flesh (physical desires)
Lust of the eyes (materialism/coveting)
Pride of life (ego/self-importance)
These same patterns of temptation appear throughout Scripture, from Eve in the Garden to Jesus in the wilderness. Satan still uses these same approaches today because they remain effective.
How Can We Overcome Temptation Like Jesus Did?
Know Scripture well enough to recognize truth from lies
Have specific verses memorized as “go-to” responses
Be motivated by God’s love rather than pride or self-interest
Do the next right thing according to God’s Word
Recognize that Satan will try to discourage Bible reading
Life Application
This week, take these practical steps to strengthen your spiritual defense against temptation:
Choose and memorize a “go-to” Bible verse you can recall when tempted
Commit to daily Bible reading, even if just for a few minutes
When faced with temptation, ask: “What does Scripture say about this?”
Remember that Jesus himself relied on Scripture – how much more should we?
Questions for Reflection:
What is my current pattern of Bible reading and study?
Which of the three main types of temptation do I struggle with most?
What specific verse can I memorize this week as my “go-to” defense?
How can I better recognize Satan’s attempts to discourage my Bible reading?
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
From Death to Life: Understanding Jesus’s Power Through Lazarus’s Story
The story of Lazarus’s resurrection demonstrates Jesus’s power over death and reveals profound truths about how He transforms our lives today. Through this powerful account, we see how Jesus brings both immediate and eternal life to those who believe in Him.
Why Did Jesus Wait to Help Lazarus?
When Jesus received word that His friend Lazarus was sick, He intentionally waited two days before traveling to Bethany. Though this may seem puzzling, Jesus had a greater purpose – He wanted to demonstrate His power over death itself and strengthen the faith of His disciples and followers.
What Does Jesus’s Response to Death Reveal About His Character?
Upon arriving in Bethany, Jesus was deeply moved by Mary and Martha’s grief. The famous verse “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) reveals His deep compassion and empathy for human suffering. Though He knew He would raise Lazarus, Jesus still shared in the pain of those He loved.
How Does Jesus Deal With Our Brokenness?
Jesus isn’t afraid of what’s behind our stones – the mess, shame, and brokenness we try to hide. Just as He commanded the stone be rolled away from Lazarus’s tomb despite Martha’s warning about the stench, Jesus wants to expose and heal our deepest wounds.
What Does It Mean to Be Set Free?
When Lazarus emerged from the tomb, he needed others to help remove his grave clothes. Similarly, Jesus wants to free us from the “grave clothes” of:
Performance-based religion
Guilt and shame
Regret over past mistakes
Fear and doubt
How Does Resurrection Power Work in Our Lives Today?
Jesus offers both immediate and eternal life. While physical death may still come, those who believe in Him experience His resurrection power now through:
Freedom from sin’s bondage
New identity in Christ
Purpose and hope
Community with other believers
Life Application
This week, consider what “grave clothes” you might still be wearing despite having new life in Christ. Ask yourself:
What old patterns or beliefs am I holding onto that Jesus wants to remove?
Where do I need help from others to experience greater freedom?
Am I living in the reality of Christ’s resurrection power today?
Take time to identify one area where you need resurrection power in your life. Share this with a trusted friend or prayer partner and ask them to help you “remove the grave clothes” that are holding you back from experiencing the full life Jesus offers.
Remember: In Christ, you are no longer bound by death but are called to live in the power of His resurrection – both now and for eternity.
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Finding Spiritual Sight: Lessons from the Man Born Blind
In John 9, we encounter a powerful story about spiritual blindness and finding true sight through Jesus. This account offers profound insights into how we view suffering, religious traditions, and most importantly – how we come to truly see and know Jesus.
The Problem with Cause and Effect Thinking
When Jesus and his disciples encountered a man blind from birth, their first response was to ask “Who sinned – this man or his parents?” This represents a common but problematic way of thinking that tries to find direct causes for every situation. While natural to seek explanations, this mindset can actually prevent us from seeing God’s bigger purpose.
How Does Jesus View Suffering?
Jesus immediately redirects the discussion away from blame, stating that the man’s condition existed “so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Rather than getting caught up in causes, Jesus sees someone who needs to know God’s love and healing power.
Three Different Perspectives on Sight
The story presents three distinct viewpoints:
Jesus sees beyond surface circumstances to God’s redemptive purpose
The Pharisees remain spiritually blind despite their religious knowledge
The blind man progresses from physical to spiritual sight
The Journey from Blindness to Worship
The healed man’s spiritual journey unfolds in stages:
First knows Jesus only as “a man”
Recognizes Him as a prophet
Finally sees Him as Lord and worships Him
This progression illustrates how true spiritual sight develops gradually as we encounter Jesus more deeply.
Why Do Some People Remain Spiritually Blind?
The Pharisees demonstrate how religious rules and pride can actually prevent spiritual sight. Despite witnessing an undeniable miracle, they refused to see because it didn’t fit their predetermined views of how God should work.
Life Application
This week, consider these questions:
Where might religious traditions or preconceptions be blocking your ability to see Jesus clearly?
Are you stuck trying to figure out “why” instead of seeking what God wants to do in your situation?
Has your encounter with Jesus led to genuine worship?
Challenge: Take time daily this week to ask God to open your spiritual eyes in new ways. Look for areas where you might be spiritually blind and ask Jesus to help you see as He sees.
Remember – true spiritual sight always leads to worship. If you can see Jesus clearly, your natural response will be to worship Him.
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Testimonials
“Steve and his team at Keys Vineyard Church have built a church that has done an inspiring job reaching their community. Steve is a treasure trove of experience and has continued to prioritize learning and growth throughout his more than 30 years of ministry in a way few pastors have. You’ll get a lot out of connecting with him!”
“I watched first hand as Steve experienced the devastation of hurricane Irma in his town of Big Pine Key, Florida. The town was destroyed, the church building rendered unusable and the staff impacted personally. I watched a leader rise to the need of his community and minister in a situation that not very many could. He has a powerful voice of experience and wisdom earned the hard way.”
“Steve Lawes is a valuable coach/ mentor. I’ve watched Steve over the last thirty years build a substantial outward focused church with disciples who do what Jesus did. He has inspired leaders of churches with simple/tested ideas to develop leaders and grow churches.
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“Steve Lawes is an outstanding coach. He is authentic, creative, and personable. He has more cutting edge ideas than any pastor I know in regard to evangelism and meeting the needs of people in his community.”
Interested in Becoming a Church Consultant?
We are pleased to be partnering with the Jesus Moment Bible Institute and Seminary to be able to offer Free Church Consulting Training. Even if you are not looking to become a certified church consultant, the free church consultant training will be beneficial for your personal ministry.
One of the greatest questions Jesus asked was “Do You Want to Get Well?”
I t would seem that the answer was obvious. But getting well for the man who had been not well for a very long time meant that he would have to do something different. It is not easy to change, but it always starts with a first step.
Take that first step now by sceduling your no obligation, free thirty (30) minute Zoom meeting with us today. You have nothing to lose and it may be your first step to a new and healthy way of doing and being the church.
Don’t Wait Any Longer. Take The First Step Toward Getting Well Today!
