I’m Steve Lawes
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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 Health Survey
A church health survey/assessment is a helpful tool that will give you information on the overall health of your church.
Effective Outreach Ideas
An outreach strategy is a specific set of tactics intended to ultimately attract new people to your church.
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We offer a wide range of Church Consulting and Ministry Coaching Services. Our desire is to help pastors and churches thrive so that they are able to fulfill the calling that God has on them for their community.
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Church Revitalization
Church Revitalization is the process of leading a dying or declining church back to a healthy place so that it can continue to carry out the calling and purpose that God has for it. Steve Lawes is certified in Church Revitalization with Church Answers.
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Partnering with the Jesus Moment Bible Institute and Seminary we are able to offer a wide variety of Discipleship Training opportunites for pastors and churches.
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 1800. 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.
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Recent Posts from Church Consultant
Understanding the New Covenant: Trusting in God’s Faithfulness
Introduction
In our latest sermon, we delved into the profound concept of the New Covenant as presented in the book of Jeremiah. This message is part of our ongoing series, “Kingdom Coming,” which explores the journey from the Chronicles to Malachi. Today, we focused on Jeremiah 31 and the transformative power of the New Covenant, emphasizing God’s trustworthiness and the balance between law and love.
The Importance of Trust
Why Do We Struggle with Trust?
One of the central themes of Jeremiah 17, which we discussed last week, is misplaced trust. Our deceitful hearts often lead us to trust ourselves over the Lord. This issue has been present since the beginning, symbolized by the choice between the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Trusting in God’s way is where we find true life, but it requires us to overcome our tendency to rationalize and justify our actions.
Can We Really Trust God?
Jeremiah 31 reassures us that we can place our trust in the Lord because He is trustworthy. The New Covenant promises that God will empower us to go His way, giving us the choice to live rightly. This empowerment comes through the Holy Spirit, who writes God’s law on our hearts and minds.
Understanding the New Covenant
What is a Covenant?
A covenant is a binding relationship that combines both law and love. It is more intimate than a legal contract and more binding than a mere emotional connection. God uses the illustration of marriage to describe this relationship, emphasizing faithfulness and commitment.
How Does the New Covenant Differ from the Old?
The New Covenant surpasses the old covenants by offering forgiveness and internal transformation through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. God promises to write His law on our hearts and minds, empowering us to live according to His ways. This covenant reconciles law and love, blending holiness, justice, love, and grace.
Balancing Law and Love
Is God’s Love Conditional or Unconditional?
The tension between law and love is a common struggle. On one end, we have legalism, which focuses on strict adherence to rules. On the other end, we have relativism, which dismisses absolute truth. The New Covenant helps us find a balance, living in the tension between these extremes with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
How Do We Live in This Tension?
Living in this tension requires a relationship with God, pressing in through prayer, reading the Bible, and listening to the Holy Spirit. It involves balancing corrective actions with love and mercy, extending grace while maintaining discernment.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
How Does the Holy Spirit Empower Us?
The Holy Spirit indwells believers, providing resurrection power to live for God. This empowerment leads to:
- Empowered Compassion: We become more compassionate, extending mercy and grace to others.
- Discernment: We gain the ability to balance law and love, knowing when to extend grace and when to correct.
- Peace: The Holy Spirit brings peace into our lives, helping us be patient with ourselves and others.
How Does the Holy Spirit Change Us?
The Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out, helping us live according to God’s ways not because of rules, but because it is where true life is found. This transformation is a continuous process, requiring us to yield and trust in the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Life Application
How Can We Apply This Message to Our Lives?
This week, challenge yourself to trust in God’s faithfulness and live in the balance of law and love. Reflect on these questions:
- Where am I placing my trust? Are there areas in my life where I am relying on my own understanding rather than trusting in God?
- How can I show empowered compassion? In what ways can I extend mercy and grace to those around me?
- Am I living in the tension? How can I balance law and love in my daily interactions, relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance?
Conclusion
The New Covenant offers us a profound relationship with God, marked by trust, empowerment, and transformation. As we navigate the tension between law and love, let us rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us, bringing peace and discernment into our lives. Embrace this challenge and experience the fullness of life that comes from trusting in God’s faithfulness.
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.
Trusting in God: Lessons from Jeremiah
Introduction
This week, we delved into the book of Jeremiah, exploring the profound lessons it offers about trust, faith, and the consequences of where we place our confidence. This summary will help you grasp the key points of the sermon and reflect on how you can apply these lessons to your life.
Community Outreach and Gratitude
Our church has been actively engaging with the community, from distributing iced coffee at the College of the Florida Keys to participating in multiple trunk or treat events. These efforts are made possible by the generosity and support of our congregation. Thank you for being a part of this mission to bless our community.
Praying for Our Neighbors
We took a moment to pray for our neighbors and community, asking for God’s blessings and revival in the Florida Keys. This collective prayer is a powerful way to invite God’s presence and love into our surroundings.
Key Themes: Glory Departing, Exile, and the Prophet
In our ongoing series, “Kingdom Coming,” we focus on three key themes: the glory departing, the exile, and the prophet. This week, we examined the prophet Jeremiah and his message about trust and idolatry.
Jeremiah’s Message: Two Trees
What Does Jeremiah Say About Trust?
Jeremiah contrasts two types of people using the analogy of two trees. One tree represents those who trust in human strength and turn away from God, while the other symbolizes those who trust in the Lord.
The Cursed Tree
Jeremiah describes the cursed tree as a bush in the wastelands, unable to see prosperity and dwelling in parched places. This tree represents a life not rooted in God, relying on human strength and ultimately leading to desolation.
The Blessed Tree
In contrast, the blessed tree is planted by the water, with roots that reach the stream. This tree does not fear heat or drought and continually bears fruit. It symbolizes a life rooted in God, drawing strength and sustenance from Him.
The Deceitfulness of the Human Heart
Jeremiah warns that the human heart is deceitful and beyond cure. This deceit leads us to place our trust in things that cannot sustain us, resulting in a life of barrenness. The key to overcoming this deceit is to root our lives in God.
The Root Impacts the Fruit
The health of a tree is determined by where its roots are planted. Similarly, our spiritual health depends on where we place our trust. External circumstances do not determine our well-being; our roots in God do.
Sin and Trust
Sin is not just about breaking rules; it’s about where we place our trust. The root of sin is trusting in anything other than God. This misplaced trust leads to a life of desolation, much like the cursed tree in Jeremiah’s analogy.
Life Application
Replanting Our Roots
To overcome the deceitfulness of our hearts, we need to replant our roots in God. This involves turning our hearts back to Him, seeking His grace, and making Him our source of security and trust.
Identifying Our Roots
Reflect on what you worry about the most. These worries reveal where your roots are currently planted. Are they in relationships, achievements, or other worldly things? Identify these roots and reorient your trust towards God.
Bringing Fears and Delights to God
Bring your fears and anxieties to God, asking Him to help you focus on Him. Also, bring your delights to Him, giving Him all the glory. This practice helps to replant your roots in God and strengthens your relationship with Him.
Seeking God as Our Source
God should not be seen as a means to an end but as our ultimate source of life and security. Trust in Him completely, regardless of external circumstances, and you will experience the peace and fruitfulness that comes from being rooted in Him.
Conclusion
This week, challenge yourself to identify where your roots are planted and make a conscious effort to replant them in God. Reflect on these questions:
- What do I worry about the most?
- Where am I placing my trust?
- How can I bring my fears and delights to God this week?
By focusing on these questions and reorienting your trust towards God, you can experience the peace and fruitfulness that comes from being rooted in Him.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you as you seek to root your life in His grace and love.
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.
Understanding the Valley of Dry Bones: A Journey Through Ezekiel 37
Introduction
Welcome to our blog post, where we delve into the profound messages from our recent sermon on Ezekiel 37. This chapter, often referred to as the “Valley of Dry Bones,” offers a powerful vision of hope and restoration. Whether you’re a long-time believer or someone exploring the Christian faith, this summary will help you grasp the essence of the sermon and its application to your life.
The Context of Ezekiel’s Prophecy
Who Was Ezekiel?
Ezekiel was a prophet during a tumultuous time in Israel’s history. His ministry began when the presence of God left the temple, a significant event that symbolized the spiritual decline of Israel. Ezekiel’s prophecies were often dramatic and unconventional, designed to capture the attention of a spiritually dull people.
The Significance of the Valley of Dry Bones
Ezekiel 37 presents a vision where God takes Ezekiel to a valley filled with dry bones. This vision symbolizes the hopelessness and spiritual death of the Israelites, who had strayed far from God. Yet, it also serves as a powerful message of hope and restoration, pointing towards the coming of Jesus and the ultimate renewal of all things.
The Vision of Dry Bones
The Question of Life
In the vision, God asks Ezekiel, “Son of man, can these bones live?” Ezekiel wisely responds, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” This question sets the stage for a miraculous demonstration of God’s power to bring life to what is dead.
Prophesying to the Bones
God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, saying, “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.” As Ezekiel speaks, the bones come together, and tendons and flesh appear on them. However, they are still lifeless until God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the breath, bringing the bodies to life.
The Breath of Life
The breath entering the bodies symbolizes the Holy Spirit, the same breath that God breathed into Adam at creation. This act of breathing life into the bones signifies God’s power to revive and restore, even in the most hopeless situations.
The Message of Hope
Israel’s Restoration
God explains that the dry bones represent the people of Israel, who feel their hope is gone. He promises to open their graves and bring them back to life, filling them with His Spirit and returning them to their land. This prophecy points to the ultimate restoration through Jesus Christ.
The Broader Implication
This vision is not just about Israel; it speaks to all of us. It reminds us that no matter how dire our circumstances, God has the power to bring life and hope. It encourages us to place our trust in Him, rather than in temporary things that cannot bear the weight of our trust.
Life Application
Living with Hope
The vision of the valley of dry bones teaches us to place our hope in God, who can bring life to the most hopeless situations. When we face difficulties, we should remember that our ultimate hope lies in the promise of eternal life and restoration through Jesus Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- Where have you placed your hope? Is it in temporary things or in the eternal promises of God?
- How can you allow the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into areas of your life that feel dry and lifeless?
- What steps can you take this week to deepen your trust in God and His promises?
A Challenge for the Week
This week, take time each day to read and meditate on Ezekiel 37. Reflect on areas of your life where you need God’s restoration and ask the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into those areas. Share your reflections with a friend or in a small group, and encourage each other to place your hope firmly in God.
Conclusion
Ezekiel 37 offers a powerful message of hope and restoration. By understanding this vision and applying its lessons to our lives, we can experience the transformative power of God’s Spirit. Let us place our hope in Him and trust in His promises, knowing that He can bring life to even the driest of bones.
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!
