Friday Stream of Consciousness – 133
Here’s what’s on my mind this morning: Election season is upon us. Then again, isn’t it always? Rather quietly, New Vintage Church turned 4 on April 17th. I’m nostalgic by nature, and these sorts of...
View ArticleCan Churches Grow in the Summer?
Can churches grow in the summer? Of course they can. In fact, churches should grow in the summer. However, they rarely do for one simple reason: their leaders let down too much. The post Can Churches...
View ArticleStop Worrying About Millennials
Each generation has enough trouble of its own. Everyone is buzzing this morning over the new Pew Research study that suggests Millennials are continuing to leave Christianity for the ranks of the...
View ArticleTake Australia First
When playing the board game RISK, always…always…take Australia first. Then, hold it. Then, take one or two more countries per turn from there. Then get a card. You’ll win the game every time. But, it...
View ArticleFriday Stream of Consciousness – 134
Here’s what’s on my mind this morning: The San Diego Chargers are heading to Los Angeles…at least it certainly appears that way. That will leave me with a football quandary. Do I return to the Denver...
View ArticleMy Summer Reading List – 2015
Yesterday was Memorial Day, which really inaugurates Summer. The wate rparks open. The weather changes. School is almost out. With apologies to Christmas, it’s the most wonderful time of the year....
View ArticleFriday Stream of Consciousness – 135
Here’s what’s on my mind this morning: Some of us really need to get over being offended about everything, every day, every hour. I think society might be better off if we strived not only to avoid...
View ArticleFriday Stream of Consciousness – 136
Here’s what I’m thinking about this morning: Most people think of finance when they think of Warren Buffett. Rightfully so. He is the greatest investor in the history of the world. Here’s an...
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How to Change the World by Scaring It
These days, there is a formula for trying to affect change in the world. Scare people. Scare people. I mean, really scare them. Do whatever you can to make people uncomfortable with who they are, where...
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A Hazy Shade of Preaching
It surprises me how often I and my colleagues use language from the pulpit that we understand but few others can. Sometimes people can understand the words. They just don’t mean much. “Freedom,”...
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Friday Stream of Consciousness – 137
Here’s what’s on my mind this morning: I LOVE the new, timed, Home Run Derby format. What it’s done is get rid of the taking of pitches…the action keeps moving. You also feel like saying, “Hurry up,...
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Me Stuck with Me
I took a vacation. It wasn’t much of one. Only 48 hours or so. I had to take a couple of calls during that time (a pastorcation). But, I took one. Just me. My family is scattered abroad for another...
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Friday Stream of Consciousness – 138
Here’s what’s on my mind this morning: It’s Finals Day for the Christianity and Culture class I’m teaching at Pepperdine. Going to class of any kind in July from 11:30 – 1:45 every day is likely to...
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How to Evaluate Your Church’s Health – Questions
I’ve consulted with dozens of churches formally, and perhaps hundreds informally. However, many church never evaluate their ministry with any rigor. The reason, these churches say, is they don’t see...
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Friday Stream of Consciousness – 139
Here’s what’s on my mind this morning: I’m going to be launching a podcast in a couple of weeks. It will be short (15 minutes or so in length), and aimed at providing practical ministry advice of all...
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How to Get Along with Your Worship Leader
There are certain ministry roles have more conflict between them than others. Senior Pastors and Youth Pastors, Church Administrators and Youth Ministers, for example. There is also sometimes...
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For Worship Leaders: How to Get Along with Your Preacher
Last week, I wrote a post designed to aid my fellow preachers in getting along better with their worship leaders. I did so because I believe that relationship is critical to a church’s well-being....
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Friday Stream of Consciousness – 140
Here’s what’s on my mind this morning: I turned 40 a couple of weeks ago…so there’s that. My wife (Emily) planned an amazing birthday party for me—that blessed me in a major way. She found an amazing...
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The Life of the Soul
How about this amazing quote from Tricia McCary Rhodes in her book, Sacred Chaos: Spiritual Disciplines for the Life You Have.“ Sometime I think of the hours and days when I have shunned the Lord’s...
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Stop Stressing
Stress is often misunderstood as something that derives simply from “work.” If someone complains about being stressed out, we might tell them to obey the Sabbath more faithfully and to take some time...
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