4 Steps from Church Spectator to Disciple Maker
Why do people resist church so much? Yes, those who are a part of church need to be concerned with the valid aspects of the critique that religious people are hypocrites and out-of-touch with the intersection of faith and daily life. But there is a significant underlying reason. Our culture believes that most everyone is […]
You Need a Friend/Coach in Christ
Why do we try to do things on our own in church ministry? Why do we seem to honor being a Lone Ranger? Okay, not even the Lone Ranger did things on his own. There was Tonto. The greatest professional athletes have coaches. Why do we do ministry relatively alone? Why does the concept […]
Pastor, Leader, and Equipper – O My!
If you’re a pastor, you’ve likely heard it. “We need a pastor who is more of a shepherd!” What does that mean? I interpret that to be the 20th century American fallacy that we pay people to do things on our behalf, including pastors to do the primary ministry activities. Go visit members in need. […]
Hospitality Begins with Signage
Think about times you’ve been embarrassed. What was the context? How did you feel? It wasn’t good, was it? Being embarrassed is a terrible feeling. When I’m embarrassed, I’m tempted to turn around and run. And that’s what I see from you too! I hang out at a coffeehouse where there’s great service and lively […]
Hospitality as the Foundation of Church Life
Had a great time at the mall recently. The wife gave me a dollar to spend in the arcade. Skeeball is certainly in heaven. And, in total abandonment of my normal aversion to sugar, I and my wife indulged in a chocolate chip double doozie at Great American Cookies. Now I have very good peripheral […]
5 Ways to Share the Gospel in a Crazy World
We live in a world that is torn apart by discord between nations, between political parties, between and within churches, within families… As a follower of Jesus, I look to find how God wants me to speak to and live in the world. I submit five ways for you to consider as you seek to […]