The Influence Project
Think of a time when your church was as unified as you have ever seen it. Make a list of the factors of unity and cohesion at work at that time. Think of the last several times someone told you that your church was their place of hope and connection. What was happening in that […]
25 ideas for seeking cohesion in your church Read More »
Late last night I watched the video of Steve Jobs’ press conference addressing the firestorm of criticism over reception issues with the iPhone 4. He chose to deal with the issue by: acknowledging that there is a problem; giving perspective on the scope of the problem (one half of one percent of owners registering complaints);
Dealing with criticism Read More »
Ed Stetzer, one of the most informed experts on church life today, has written a piece for Tim Challies’ blog called The Problem with Pastor as Rock Star. He warns of this “sin issue” which is manifested in four ways: personal imbalance, hindering community, approval addiction, and selling out the church’s future. But then he
Christian Leader Rock Stars Read More »
Our culture has come to a point where we have high expectations of leaders–very high, sometimes unreasonably high–and the effects that this produces can be dicey.
Great Expectations Read More »
If you asked a wide variety of believers what was the most spiritually formative influence in their lives, what do you think they would say? One study done on this issue revealed an amazingly consensus. The most frequent answer was not “my mother,” or “my home church,” or “Pastor so-and-so.” For some reason the most
Crisis changes people Read More »
Whether stated or not, every church has a value system, and when the values are truly inspired by God, they are our best hope of rising above conflict and fragmentation, and being drawn together as a whole church. Every church should be able to say why it does what it does.
What do “values” mean in a church? Read More »
I’m really enjoying reading the new probing biography about Dietrich Bonhoeffer written by Eric Metaxas, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy (I recommend it!). Executed in a concentration camp mere weeks before the end of WWII in Europe,
Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy Read More »
Spiritual development means not just becoming more (growth), and becoming different (transformation), but also becoming better integrated within ourselves in all of our relations. When a body grows, its parts don’t just get larger, they become better connected. Nerves thicken and branch out, blood vessels and capillaries lengthen into every bit of living tissue, bones
Spiritual Growth as Integration Read More »
In our part of the world the Good Friday worship gathering is always one of the most moving experiences of the year. Of course, that is not because of what we do, but because it an authentic engagement with God. The people come with the mindset: bring us together with the crucified Jesus. We know
Worship not forgotten Read More »
The word “innovation” means “to make new.” It is a skill of life, and it is a central dynamic of leadership. It does not mean discarding the old, but building the new on what preceded. Apple is arguably the most innovative company in the world today. They keep coming out with products that are stunning
Innovation and leadership Read More »
It is time to appoint a new leader: a new board member, or a chairman of a building committee, or a new pastor. How do we know when we are looking at someone who has wisdom? Based on the biblical criteria and common experience, we could ask these seven questions. 1. Does this person show
7 Characteristics of Wise Leaders Read More »
Among the most common buzzwords associated with leadership in the church today are “passion,” and “vision.” But another characteristic of quality leadership that is a non-negotiable, one that we neglect at our own peril, is wisdom. A leader can have passion enough to make listeners almost swoon and can pass on a contagious zeal, but
Choosing Wise Leaders Read More »
Does God know I am here?
Yes, absolutely!
Illness can be challenging. Whether you’re here through pre-planning or by emergency, you may be quite uncomfortable, emotionally-fragile, frustrated or fearful. The Holy Spirit will help you find calm in the midst of this uncertainty. These days can become opportunities to review the wonder of life and the depth of your relationship with the Life-Giver and Healer, our Lord Jesus Christ.