TORVINKRELLA – Page 2

Staple Closet Pieces I’m Telling my Best Friends to Buy / Back to School Finds- on SALE!

For quite some time now, I find myself gravitating to the same quality, basic, staple pieces over and over again. My go-to classic straight leg jeans, my entire families favorite soft hoodies, the most flattering camis & tees and comfy every day basic zip ups. Everything I wear on rotation comes in lots of colors, and I find myself wanting to wear them OVER and OVER again – so most items I have in a few different colors!

Right now a lot of these pieces are on major sale (30-50% off!!) so its a great time to stock up! My kids and teenagers wear some of these items too. Perfect time to order for back to school while they’re on sale!

*Use code DENIMAF to stack an additional 15% off the already amazing sale prices!!

These straight leg, non-distressed jeans are such a classic every day pair. I had the distressed bottom one for YEARS and loved them so much I recently got this new wash with the clean hem. Wearing with my MUST HAVE favorite hoodie in this new-ish green color. I love it! These are the comfiest hoodies ever. My entire family is obsessed!!

I’ve had these wide leg grey sweatpants for years now and they are my all time fav – SO comfy cozy, my entire family loves them too! Paired with this camo zip up hoodie for the perfect lounge / errands outfit.

The other pair of jeans I wear on heavy rotation are these low rise, wide leg jeans. They are just so comfy, I find myself reaching for these a ton. Paired it with the same hoodies we love but in the full zip version – we love these too! I also love these hoodies to throw on over workout clothes!

I recently got these bra- free, double lined camis and tees from Abercrombie. They are SO flattering – they are a thick, tighter material and they smooth me out but are so comfy. I love both the tee version and the cami version – both on sale!

Mens and kids jeans are on sale too! My teenage son Wes is 15 so wearing mens jeans that are included in the denims sale and Ollie is in the kids wide leg jeans also on sale. I loved that Ollie wanted to match Wes!! Perfect time to order for back to school clothes!

Mara loves the low rise wide leg jeans too – we both got these! She’s in women’s jeans, perfect for teen girls back to school shopping! She’s also wearing the zip up hoodie and black cami here. She kept borrowing mine I ordered some for her for back to school.

Another look at these jeans on sale – paired it with the double lined tees I love!

Love the the cami in this green color too – paired with my straight leg jeans.

These wide leg jeans I got Ollie for back to school are seriously the cutest!! Love this camo hat too!

These wide leg sweatpants my entire family loves!! Wes is 6’4″ and wears the men’s large tall. Mara & I wear size small.

I loved this version of the double lined cami for fall football season – comes in a bunch of team names!

Full round up of my must-have pieces from the Abercrombie sale linked here.

The post Staple Closet Pieces I’m Telling my Best Friends to Buy / Back to School Finds- on SALE! appeared first on Hello Fashion.

If You Ain’t Writing You Ain’t Lasting

“If you ain’t reading, you ain’t leading.” Those were the wise words of Roy Hicks Jr., a friend I considered an older brother.

Just two years older than me, Roy led a youth group before I did, planted a church before I did, and pioneered church multiplication before I did. He always forged the path ahead. So, when he hit me with that statement, I paid attention. I’d gotten so caught up planting our first church that I’d nearly stopped reading, except for church growth books.

Roy sharpened his advice by urging me to dive into history and biography to build my character and leadership skills, rather than getting stuck on church growth material. His guidance molded me into the leader I am today.

I’d add to that: “If you ain’t writing, you ain’t lasting.”

If you’re not writing, you’re not building a legacy. You’re not leaving much for people you have yet to meet and some who might read your stuff after you move to heaven. A book is a time machine, letting you embed your ideas in a simple format that someone, decades later, can open and discover. For instance, I’ve often borrowed a book from a friend’s shelf, drawn in by just the title on the spine. In many cases, a long-deceased pastor or Christian leader sparked a new direction in my life. Those authors lasted. They built a legacy that enriched me profoundly.

I often challenge younger pastors about writing books, only to hear, “My church is too small to matter, and no one would care about my words.” I point them to my book, Let Go of the Ring. It’s vital because it captures not just what we did but why we did it.

We used it to screen and train new members. They’d read the book and quickly decide if they wanted to join us or move on, saving time for everyone. It also helped tackle potential conflict by embedding our core values and policies, giving us a clear reference to accept or reject new ministry ideas.

The book proved invaluable. It started as a history of Hope Chapel Hermosa Beach for the congregation when I left to plant in Hawaii. It resonated with people in Hawaii who were curious about our history. Later, Carl George pitched it as a church growth book, and we began publishing it for a broader audience.

To the pastor who says, “My church is too small for that,” I’d say, “Count the people in your church now, project reasonable growth, and multiply that number by 10 or 15.” That’s the potential reach of your book if you include your personal story, your church’s vision, core values, priorities, and how you do ministry. Your book will impact far more people than those currently in your seats.

Publishing a book used to be costly. We started with an expensive U.S. publisher, then shifted to a company in China. But Kindle Direct Publishing (formerly CreateSpace for paperbacks) changed everything. I updated Let Go of the Ring at no cost to our church or myself, aside from a cover photo I purchased. Amazon even helps promote it online. This is a powerful opportunity to create something that benefits your church and serves as your calling card. For example, I haven’t been a pastor for seven years, but I still share the book with people curious about our church-planting journey or with new friends I meet.

Last Sunday, I met a couple at church when I noticed the man wearing a Hawaii T-shirt. I introduced myself, and we quickly found common roots. I grabbed a copy of Let Go of the Ring from my car. His wife was thrilled, immediately flipping through the pictures (pictures pull readers into your words). We made new friends, and we’re having lunch next week.

If this sparks your interest, I’ve written two books you might find helpful. You Could Write for Amazon is a short guide on how to capture your ideas in a time capsule—not just for your church or future members but perhaps for someone who’ll read it long after you’re in heaven. The second, Your Book as Your Business Card, expands on what I’ve shared here.

You might feel a disappointed having read this blog expecting insights on church multiplication or discipleship. But this is about making disciples and multiplying churches. If it’s in your heart, it needs to be on paper. People trust what’s printed more than what’s on YouTube or preached from a pulpit.

As I write, I’m wrapping up a book for Exponential, crafting another for NewBreed, and modifying old Ephesians Bible talks for YouTube. I’m 79-years-old, a so-called retiree, still dedicating two days a week to sharing what God has given me. This habit started when I realized the power of reaching people I’ll never meet through the written word.

Ralph Moore is the Founding Pastor of three churches which grew into the Hope Chapel ‘movement’ now numbering more than 2,300 churches, worldwide. These are the offspring of the 70+ congregations launched from Ralph’s hands-on disciplemaking efforts.

He travels the globe, teaching church multiplication to pastors in startup movements. He’s authored several books, including Let Go Of the Ring: The Hope Chapel Story, Making Disciples, How to Multiply Your Church, Starting a New Church, and Defeating Anxiety.

The post If You Ain’t Writing You Ain’t Lasting appeared first on Newbreed Training.

Restocks, Random Buys & Things I’m Loving Right now…

I can’t believe its almost August!! Where did the summer go? My kids go back to school in 2 and half weeks and it has gone too fast.

Some of my tried and trues have run out and thought it would be fun to share some of my recent restocks, random buys and things I’m loving lately. Like this counter spray -I love this scent!

Let me know if you’ve tried any of these items and what you thought! Always love hearing what you think!

I just got this new pajama set and they are SO soft!! They come in a few colors and now I want more!

A recent travel outfit – I’ve been loving baseball hats lately and just got this dark brown one. Wearing the Abercrombie tank here too in white. Full outfit details linked here!

I was out of 4 of my tried and true skincare products and it was crazy it hasn’t landed like that in awhile and my skin immediately broke out when I was trying to sub different products before my stuff came in the mail. I think more than ever it was the affirmation how much I love these products, but also find your tried and true routine and if it’s working you don’t need need to switch it up!! Snail mucin / elemis anti-wrinkle hydrating essence

I’ve been living in these double lined, bra-free camis this summer. They are the perfect thickness and are so flattering and smooth you out and suck you in. I had to get it in multiple colors. Love the tshirt version too! These gym shorts are also a closet staple for me – I have them in multiple colors and have loved them for years!

These clear pencil boxes are the best – I’ve been organizing a ton using these. I totally organized our art cabinet with the larger size – I love that they are clear so I can see whats inside them in the cabinet. I used one for stickers, for paint, for colored pencils, etc. I used the smaller size to organize my medicine cabinet. The smaller size is also amazing for keeping snacks in my purse on the go. I love that the hard case keeps the snacks from getting smashed and they are easy to grab and go! 10/10 recommend these cases for so many different uses!These clear pencil boxes are the best – I’ve been organizing a ton using these. I totally organized our art cabinet with the larger size – I love that they are clear so I can see whats inside them in the cabinet. I used one for stickers, for paint, for colored pencils, etc. I also used the large size to organize my medicine cabinet. The smaller size is amazing for keeping snacks in my purse on the go. I love that the hard case keeps the snacks from getting smashed and they are easy to grab and go! 10/10 recommend these cases for so many different uses!

I just got Ollie these new velcro adidas for back to school shoes and they’re so perfect for kindergarten! I shared a video of how easy they are for him to put on without laces here. Linked the other colors they come in too!

This face cream has being a holy grail skincare product for me – I’ve repurchased this multiple times! My dry skin just drinks this up, especially in the summer. Its a great price point for a clean, high quality face cream too!

just got Cody this new tee in a few different colors – we love this camo print! Under $10!!

I just got this new pair of white APL sneakers and love them so much!!

I wore this green dress to my niece’s wedding this weekend – it comes in a bunch of colors and is under $50!! Full outfit linked here.

these Target picture frames are on sale 30% off!

This is the only item I recently ordered from the Nordstrom sale! All my boys love and wear these so I stocked up on them for back to school.

I can’t help myself – I recently started hearting a few things I’ve had my eye on for fall. Here are a few things from my recent order and things I’m loving lately!

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Funding Your Church Plant: Why Your Financial Model Matters

Discover why choosing the right financial model is crucial for church planting. This article explores how a missionary support model, focused on long-term sustainability and reaching the unchurched can better align with your church’s mission and growth.

Planting a church is a spiritual endeavor, but it’s also an economic one. The financial model you choose will not only shape the church’s sustainability but also influence its mission and culture.

Many church planters set out with a heart for reaching the lost, but their funding strategy often prioritizes short-term survival over long-term mission. If your model assumes that your church will quickly become self-sustaining through tithes, you may unintentionally focus on reaching already-churched Christians rather than those far from God. Instead, we advocate for a missionary model of fundraising—one that better aligns with the missional nature of church planting.

The Impact of Your Funding Model

Your church’s economic system is more than just a financial tool—it’s a culture-shaping force. The model you choose will guide the trajectory of your church, often in ways you don’t fully anticipate.

For example, at Reliant, we’ve worked with church plants on secular college campuses—places where a traditional tithe-based model simply doesn’t work. Churches that embraced missionary funding have thrived, while those relying solely on tithes have often shifted into more traditional off-campus community churches, sometimes losing their original missional focus.

Missionary Church Planting vs. Traditional Church Models

Traditionally, churches operate on a tithe-based model, where funding primarily comes from members’ regular giving. This works well when your congregation consists of established believers who practice biblical giving. However, for missional churches focused on reaching those far from faith, this model is less viable.

Missionaries understand that the communities they serve will often not be able to fully support them financially for a long time—if ever. If church planters adopt this missionary mindset, they might realistically expect it to take 7 to 10 years (or more) to develop a self-sustaining local tithe. This approach is in line with a vision for long-term discipleship and transformation in communities with few believers.

Evaluating Church Planting Funding Models & Strategies

There are three primary approaches to church planting finances:

Denominational or Large Church Support

Some church plants receive significant backing from a denomination or large church. While this is helpful, it’s not a multiplication strategy—it’s an addition strategy. Denominations and large churches typically expect plants to become self-sustaining, and this model is unlikely to fuel the exponential growth needed to reach lost communities at scale.

Bi-Vocational Ministry

Some church planters support themselves through outside employment, reducing their financial needs. While this can be a viable strategic choice, especially when it aligns with the church’s mission, it’s more of a cost-reduction strategy than a sustainable funding model.

Bi-vocational ministry has benefits, like community engagement, but it also presents challenges:

Time & Energy – Does your job allow you to give your best to your family, church, and ministry?

Financial Viability – If making a good income part-time were easy, more people would do it.

Missional Impact – Have you considered whether your community needs a full-time, dedicated pastor? Parish models historically assumed a fully devoted spiritual shepherd.

The Missionary Support Model

In contrast, the missionary support model—where church planters raise personal support from individuals and churches—is scalable and sustainable. It follows the biblical pattern of missionaries being sent and supported by others. A strong support team consists of:

50-100 partners giving $50-$100 per month

Some larger startup gifts to help with initial costs

Ongoing committed giving for long-term stability

Unlike a tithe-based model, support-based fundraising can scale with staff needs, not just church attendance. As a missional church grows, its financial needs and tithe base likely won’t grow proportionally, and support-based staffing allows the mission to remain sustainable. This shift to support-based funding aligns with the biblical principles that undergird missionary work, offering a sustainable model for growth and mission expansion.

Biblical Foundations for Support-Based Ministry

The concept of missionary support is deeply biblical:

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
—1 Corinthians 16:1-3 (ESV)

As Michael Frost reminds us: “There is nothing more Christian than sending. God is a missionary God—the Father sent the Son, the Son sends the Spirit, and Jesus sent His disciples.”

The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) begins with disciples, despite doubts and fears, being sent out. The DNA of the Christian life is to send and be sent. Every believer should consider supporting at least one missionary or church planter—not only for financial sustainability but for personal spiritual growth and active engagement in God’s mission.

Conclusion: Aligning Finances with Mission

Your church plant’s funding model is not neutral—it will shape your church’s mission and future. The missionary support model offers a sustainable, scalable, and biblical approach that aligns with the missional call to reach the lost.

Rather than relying on quick local tithes, consider a long-term view of financial sustainability. Support-based funding frees planters to focus on making disciples without the pressure to attract already-churched givers just to survive.

As you embark on this journey, remember: every Christian is called to send and be sent. By embracing a missionary model, you’re not only planting a church—you’re cultivating a movement that can thrive for generations to come.

If you are ready to explore how a missionary model could help your church plant stay on mission, reach out today at partner@reliant.org or learn more at reliant.org.

The post Funding Your Church Plant: Why Your Financial Model Matters appeared first on Newbreed Training.

Three Practical Reasons to Hold Some Small Group Meetings Online

Back during the pandemic we heard a lot of complaining about “Zoom fatigue.” People were forced to work from home and meet online and they didn’t like it—as opposed to very different feelings today.

After we got back into church buildings most of us reverted to old patterns often overlooking the power we gained through those once detested meetings.

It is time to take another look at online tools beyond their use in podcasting or staff meetings.

It’s not about the tool—it’s about the people.

Drive Time Is Disciplemaking Lost

Life is full. People are already managing kids, jobs, and packed calendars. When we ask them to drive across town for a midweek small group, we’re often competing with real-world limitations—especially for those barely keeping up with life.

Small groups that meet online can change all that. They let people show up without packing bags, finding childcare, or spending an hour on the road. When the gathering ends, they’re already home. That time savings often makes the difference between someone opting in or drifting away.

We don’t often think of commuting as a spiritual issue—but if it keeps people from community, it is. Removing friction creates space for shared life.

Older Adults Avoid Night Driving (and Tech Can Help)

Most pastors in their thirties and forties haven’t yet felt the hesitation that comes with driving after dark. But for older folks—especially those in their 70s and 80s—it’s a real concern. Eyesight dims. Reactions slow. What was routine starts to feel risky.

These are not people who’ve stopped caring about church. They just don’t want to get behind the wheel at night. I’ve seen this again and again. Faithful, longtime members who gladly show up to serve in daylight hours simply opt out of nighttime gatherings.

But Zoom—or some other tool—gives them a way to re-engage. If we’re willing to meet them halfway—by helping them learn how to click a link and join a meeting—we open the door to a renewed sense of belonging. And don’t underestimate the power of this. These are often the people who helped build your church. They deserve more than a pat on the back. They deserve access to each other and to the care of your church.

Online Meetings Include Otherwise Isolated People

Sometimes the roadblock isn’t driving distance or age—it’s a dynamic at home.

I’ve known believers whose spouses don’t follow Jesus yet tolerate Sunday mornings but draw a hard line on other church activities. It’s hard to grow as a disciple when your living room becomes a war zone every time you want to leave the house.

But online gatherings slip past those boundaries. They allow someone to join community without leaving home, and sometimes that quiet presence on the screen is the only way they can stay connected.

Years ago, before smartphones and Facebook, three women in our church had this problem. So every Friday night, they met by phone in a three-person small group. It worked because it met them where they were. Zoom does that today—only better.

In the End, It’s Not About Tech

This isn’t about technology. It’s about people. And it’s about flexibility in the way we make disciples.

Small group meetings are a tool, not a template. So if a tool makes it easier for busy families, older saints, and isolated believers to follow Jesus together—why wouldn’t we use it?

It’s not a compromise. It’s just good shepherding.

The post Three Practical Reasons to Hold Some Small Group Meetings Online appeared first on Newbreed Training.

The Power and Danger of Rules

A friend recently asked me to state, in one word, what I thought could kill a movement. As I reflected on that, my mind went to Acts chapter 15, where the Jerusalem Council met and struck down the whole issue of circumcision. This isn’t about circumcision, but it is about rules.

That was my one word answer—“rules.” Rules that have outlived their original purpose.

I believe rules have their place—they have their time, and then they’re done. Too often, however, rules hang around long after their purpose has expired. Some were meant for a generation ago—or maybe thirty generations ago—and yet they still hold back the work of the Kingdom of God.

If we’re serious about doing the things God has really called us to do, we need to regularly take a hard look at our rules. Maybe once a year, reassess: What are we doing? Why are we doing it? Should we keep doing it—or should we stop?

Lessons from the Jesus Movement

I came up during the Jesus Movement, and so much of what we did back then was considered off-limits by others—at least in their minds. The way people dressed, the simple fact that we served coffee after church—those things upset a whole bunch of people.

Then we got into a tangle with our denomination over something else. We had a 58-year-old aerospace engineer who volunteered his time as an associate pastor. This man had led very successful, large Bible studies in the region where we lived, and he was thrilled with what we were doing as a young church. He joined us wholeheartedly.

But I couldn’t get the denomination to give him a pastor’s license so he could officiate a wedding. I got into a heated argument over this with a wise denominational official. Eventually, he got them to change course and created an entirely new system for licensing pastors trained in local churches, not seminaries.

A New Generation Facing Old Rules

This brings me to a conversation I had a few weeks ago with a very exciting young couple. I had met three men, all missionaries from Liberia to the United States, serving alongside their wives. All of them are church planters, and all hope to multiply more churches.

One of these men is married to an American woman who had been trafficked in the sex industry as a young girl. The remarkable thing is that these people are now doing short-term missions to Kenya, where they have met young girls caught in similar situations.

The big problem? Their denomination has a rule: no woman can be a pastor. And these young women in Kenya don’t trust men—for obvious reasons.

She wanted to start an online church for these girls.

I felt my role in this situation was to remind this brave young woman that she wasn’t hired by the denomination, and that she could choose to do what God was putting before her. I’m not sure where that’s all going to lead, but I have a strong feeling it’s going someplace good.

Once again, the rules in place have their reasons. I happen to disagree with this particular rule to some extent. But in the end, the rules aren’t the main issue—the young girls in need of a pastor are.

And if this young woman is able to shepherd them through WhatsApp and other social media platforms, then she should be free to do what God has clearly placed in her lap.

Balancing Submission and Speaking Up

We need to remain submitted to our leaders and their wisdom. But we also need to learn when to respectfully push back and to hope and pray that, like the men at the Jerusalem Council, our leaders will respond to genuine spiritual need the way those men did when Paul and Barnabas presented their case.

What About You and Me?

My point here isn’t really about them—or even about the people who seem to be blocking ministry efforts in Kenya. This is about you and me, and whether we’re willing to assess the rules and policies we’ve put in place over the years—and ask if they’ve outlived their usefulness.

In our church staff, we always made this kind of assessment during our annual planning meetings. We intentionally looked for ministries that had outlived their usefulness so we could shut them down or phase them out.

It would have been wise for us to do the same with our policy manual. Throughout the year, we developed policies based on decisions we made, and at the end of each year, we would try to harvest those decisions that seemed worthy of becoming formal policy.

But we never quite figured out that we should spend the same amount of time asking which existing policies had outlived their usefulness.

The post The Power and Danger of Rules appeared first on Newbreed Training.

Summer Home Refresh

To kickoff summer, I’ve been making small updates around the house. Sometimes the smallest update can make such a huge difference! Here are a few of my new recent home finds I’m loving 〰️

I just got this new neutral rug for our living room and it has been a bestseller for awhile now. I love how it brightened up the room so much. Its on major sale right now – over 50% off!

Rug // White Chair // Faux Tree // Frames // coffee table bowl // coffee table box

last week I did a powder bathroom refresh. I still need to get some family pics in the frames but Targets new home arrivals are so good and an affordable way to freshen up a space! I added these frames to the wall, and the towel holder and flowers for height. Everything linked here.

waffle hand towel // white tray // towel rack // frames // faux flowers // soap dispenser

new rug – only $25!!

wavy accent mirror – under $100!

plates // gold silverware

colorful tumbler cups

The post Summer Home Refresh appeared first on Hello Fashion.

What Kind of Leader Starts a Movement?

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is an excerpt from What Actually Starts Movements by Emanuel Prinz, used with permission. This book is a significant new resource for leaders pursuing disciple-making movements. You can purchase the book here.

There is a kind of person the Lord of the Harvest looks on with favor and uses to start a movement.
—Bill Smith

As you prayerfully engage with this content, consider:

What kind of person consistently shows up at the center of gospel movements?
Which leadership qualities really matter—and which ones are just noise?
Could these traits be intentionally developed in your own life?

Traits and Competencies of Effective Leaders

Effective catalytic leaders use a variety of movement ministry approaches. While there is no single method that guarantees a movement, those God uses to initiate them consistently manifest the same set of traits and competencies.

If we sat down in a coffee shop with catalytic leaders from rural Kenya, an American city, an Indian metropolis, and an Indonesian island, we would find all four remarkably alike in their essential character—even allowing for cultural and personality differences.

So, when we ask what starts a movement, we first need to examine the kind of leader behind it.

Digging Deeper into the Research

To answer that question, Emanuel Prinz and his team conducted a comprehensive review of movement and leadership literature, along with empirical research. They started with 31 key sources—14 focused on apostolic and movement leadership, and 17 drawn from over 600 studies on secular leadership. From these, they identified 228 unique traits and competencies.

They narrowed the list to just 24 traits that appeared in at least three different works. Then, using surveys of effective movement catalysts worldwide, they compared these qualities between leaders who had catalyzed movements and those who had not.

The traits fell into three distinct domains:

The Personality domain: traits related to individual personality and character.
The Spiritual domain: traits and competencies of a spiritual nature, having to do with one’s relationship with God.
The Social Influence domain: traits and competencies having to do with relating with others, describing social behavior and ways to influence others.

Wherever movements are happening, leaders marked by these traits are leading the way. They don’t all share the same tactics—but they share the same kind of transformation.

Want to become the kind of leader who catalyzes movements?
Start by examining your own leadership profile—and pursue the kind of growth that aligns with how God tends to work when revival breaks out.

Emanuel Prinz (D.Min., Ph.D. cand.) is a missiologist and educator who has conducted the broadest-ever research on movements. He has taught at various universities and has published numerous articles in journals such as Missiology, Evangelical Missions Quarterly, Journal of the Evangelical Missiological Society, Global Missiology, and Christianity Today.

The post What Kind of Leader Starts a Movement? appeared first on Newbreed Training.

Memorial Day Sales / Outfit Roundup

Happy Sunday! I’ve been feeling inspired with new summer outfits! Wanted to share a recent outfit round up and some amazing sale happening this weekend for Memorial Day!

〰️Abercrombie is 25% off sitewide + additional 15% off with code: AFSUMMER
〰️Levis is 30% off sitewide – will be living in my new white levis shorts this summer!
〰️Target is 30% off swim, 40% off sandals and up to 40% off women’s fashion
〰️Wayfair is having major sales including my new living room rug over 50% off!
〰️Madewell is 30% off shoes – my new brown suede sandals included!
〰️Paula’s Choice is 20% off – my fav liquid exfoliator on sale!
〰️Cupshe – use code CHRISTINE20 for 15% off $70 and 20% off $109

Red tank / cropped jeans outfit

navy one piece / pool outfit

Navy dress outfit

straight leg white denim outfit

brown suede sandals & living room rug – on sale

my satin blue dress & boys outfits

festive memorial day / fourth of july outfit idea

brown one piece swimsuit

casual everyday summer outfit

butter yellow summer dress

memorial day / fourth of july summer outfit inspo

white swimsuit coverup dress

fourth of july outfit

holy grail skincare product on sale this weekend

casual everyday summer outfit

Target sandals on sale

my new neutral living room rug on sale

The post Memorial Day Sales / Outfit Roundup appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Leading Change Without Overdoing It

A friend recently gave me reason to pause. He was talking about a tendency many of us have as leaders—to over-strategize. Sometimes, in our passion for progress, we fail to wait for our people to catch up. Instead of walking in the light we already have, we chase after new light, new revelations, new ideas.

The Perils of Constant Innovation

One of the greatest dangers pastors face comes from reading about other pastors who appear more successful. It’s easy to fall into the trap of implementing a new idea every month—or every week—in an attempt to keep pace. But this kind of restlessness can deeply unsettle your team, whether paid or volunteer.

What my friend said was simple, but profound: Don’t make any major change until your church has grown by 20%. If there’s no growth at all, of course, change is needed. But when there is growth, it’s a signal to be steady. It’s time to walk in what you already have and give your people the opportunity to adapt and respond positively to the current ministry flow. Let that growth bring people into relationship with Jesus in the context of how you’re currently doing ministry.

When you have grown by 20%, that’s the point to consider a structural change. Even then, it may be more tactical than strategic—small adjustments rather than grand reinventions.

When Change Becomes a Trap

Early on in the churches I pastored, we built a simple ecclesiology grounded in Ephesians 4. It defined the church’s purpose: to equip the saints for the work of ministry. We paired this with a model drawn from Acts 2, viewing weekend gatherings as our “temple” expression, and house gatherings as our “house-to-house” life.

We asked: What works best in the temple? What works best in the house? And we stuck to that model for years.

But here’s where we stumbled: At nearly every annual planning retreat, we tried to reinvent the wheel. We’d take the church apart and attempt to reassemble it. And that, over time, was exhausting. It depressed our staff and disrupted the very people we were trying to serve. Rather than speeding up growth, it slowed us down.

Ironically, while we were tying ourselves in knots trying to restructure, we were planting churches at a steady rate—about 1.5 to 2 churches per year. That side of our ministry stayed strong, largely because of one thing we did well.

Allow Ministry to Rise from the Ranks

We had cultivated a culture where ministry bubbled up from the congregation. We were always preaching: Find a need and fill it. We spoke of people being God’s masterpiece, created for good works. That gave rise to many homegrown ministries.

The answer to most ideas was a resounding “yes.” We connected people with others who could help them fulfill the vision God put in their hearts. It created an environment of adaptability and permission.

But ministries, like everything else, follow a bell curve. They begin with excitement, grow, multiply, and bear fruit—but eventually taper off.

Know When to Let Go

One of the wisest practices we adopted during our annual staff retreats was to identify two or three things that weren’t working as well as they once had. We used to joke about “killing dead horses.” Sometimes, we’d simply relocate a ministry to free up valuable space. Other times, we had to make the tough call to shut something down entirely.

In some cases, we cut back funding when participation had dropped. This often helped the ministry leader recognize that the season had passed. The decline in resources communicated the reality more gently than words sometimes could.

Final Thoughts: Embracing Change with Discernment

Living in a constant process of change is inevitable, especially as we respond to a shifting culture. But that doesn’t mean we need to overhaul everything all the time.

Sometimes, the most faithful thing we can do is to pause, walk steadily in the light we already have, and give our people space to grow alongside us. When change is needed, let it be intentional, measured, and born out of prayer and discernment—not comparison or restlessness.

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