I wish that I could stand on tiptoe and see into the future. I can’t do this, but I don’t mind telling you what I think I would see. If I could look into the future and see the future of the church, I think I would see that the best is yet to… Continue reading The Best Is Yet To Come
Category: Church
What Does a Healthy Church Look Like?
Will you help me with this one? What does a healthy church look like? I am thinking about this as I read Anne Jackson’s book Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic. (I have just started the book. Will say more later.) For now, I would like to ask you to think about some of… Continue reading What Does a Healthy Church Look Like?
When Ministry Becomes a Breath of Fresh Air (Part 1)
Many people read this blog. People who serve in a variety of vocations read these words. If you are a Christ-follower, there is a sense in which you are a minister (servant) no matter where you are and no matter what your vocation. Such ministries are important — very important. There are others who serve… Continue reading When Ministry Becomes a Breath of Fresh Air (Part 1)
What Do You Long For?
After a few hours of restless sleep, I finally got up for awhile and read a portion of Conformed to His Image by Kenneth Boa. I was reading through a chapter on motivation and came across this wonderful quote, written by Julian of Norwich in her Revelations of Divine Love. She speaks of the importance… Continue reading What Do You Long For?
What Would Jesus Say? (Part 1)
I wonder what Jesus might say if he preached at our church one Sunday? What would he say? He would be walking into our cultural context. He would walk to our podium, I suppose. Perhaps he would use the wireless mic that I normally wear. He might hear the baptistery occasionally gurgle behind him. He… Continue reading What Would Jesus Say? (Part 1)
(Question) What Are You Looking For?
Have you ever found it difficult to find a church? I have talked with many, many people who have found this to be very difficult. Single. Married. With kids. Without kids. Young. Not so young. Yes, I do realize that some people look for a church with a consumer mentality. There are some people who… Continue reading (Question) What Are You Looking For?
Only God
Only God can work through situations that seem impossible to human beings. Like yesterday. OK — maybe I am exaggerating. Maybe it was not an impossible Sunday. Still it was an unusual Sunday. Yesterday, while I was attempting to preach, the following happened: The air conditioning stopped working. (Remember that I live… Continue reading Only God
The Living Church
Last week, I read John Stott’s new book, The Living Church. He has served the All Souls Church in London for sixty years. The inside of the jacket of the book reads as follows: At the 150th anniversary of the dedication of his church, John Stott gave voice to his dream for All Souls, London,… Continue reading The Living Church
If I Could Start Over (part one)
There are some realities about ministry with and to a church that I wish I had known thirty years ago. Much of what I have learned about congregational ministry came through study, reflection, and thinking. Yet, on another level, I have learned so much through the daily experience of this work. The following are… Continue reading If I Could Start Over (part one)
Question: What do your friends say?
I’m curious. What do your friends say about their church? Specifically I am wondering what stands out in your mind as you reflect upon conversations that you have had with friends regarding their church. Do you have friends who express much satisfaction with their church? What is present in the life of that church that… Continue reading Question: What do your friends say?