Mid-Career Questions
By: Jeff Patton A friend asked if I could help plan a mid-career sabbatical. My friend wanted to know the best way to use these months away from a long pastorate (15 years). After writing these questions down, I thought, “these are critical questions, pretty much on a daily basis.” So I share them with you. […]
Ten Ways to Life or Death
By: Jeff Patton #1—EQUIP—Ephesians 4:11-12 is quite clear. The role of the pastor is to equip the saints. So equip, equip, equip. Stop doing all the ministry. Empower the people to live in the fullness of the Holy Spirit by using their gifts, stretching their faith and witness God’s power in their midst’s. #2—Do something to […]
So You Want to Plant a Church?
So you’re thinking about planting a church are you? It seems as if church planting is one of the fads of the day. Well here are some things you might consider before attempting to plant a church. First, are you more in love with God than with planting a church? If not, don’t do it. […]
National Park
The last twenty years of North American culture has been moving from what I call a National Park world to a world that can only be described as a Jungle. Consider the following comparisons: National Park • Are neatly laid out • Predictable and slow to change • Warn you about dangers animals • Provide […]
Conversion, How It Happens
My conversion took place some 52 years ago and occurred over a relatively short period of time – about six months. It began with my dating a girl that demanded I attend church with her. Then I connected with the pastor because we both played golf, and the rest is history. I would characterize my […]
The Advent of Christmas
It used to be that Christmas began when Santa Claus passed the reviewing stand in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. It used to be that the first strains of Christmas carols played on the Muzak on the following Friday morning. It used to be. However, for most churches, Advent will begin this year on December […]