Mission Successes Requires Effective Invitation
You Are Formally Invited Imagine. The day you’ve dreamt of since your daughter’s birth is finally here. It’s her wedding day! You have spent months preparing, taking your “Father/Mother of the Bride” role to superhero proportions. Now, the church is decorated and the caterer is setting up a gourmet feast in the reception hall. You’ve […]
Reaching Out to the Native Community
The drum was so loud that I was sure it could be heard several blocks over at a neighboring church. We are an old, established downtown church. The elders of my church were dancing the round dance around the pews in the sanctuary. Furthermore, everyone was thoroughly engaged in the happenings this Sunday morning. This […]
The Spiritual Traveler: On a Journey Toward Wholeness
I, Randy, listen to many people throughout my day. I listen to people in the dog park, in the coffee shop, in the diner, at the gym, and in line at the burrito stand. I hear so many times from various people, “I am not religious, but I am very spiritual.” I have wondered what […]
Spirituality and the Language of the Future
History is overthrowing the way we think. Futurist Ray Kurzweil in fact believes our era will end 6,000 years of “civilization” as we’ve known it. And, in this century alone, we’ll see on the order of 20,000 years of change (at today’s rate of change). In massive historical shifts, the very structure of knowing changes—not […]
Turn Around Lessons in Year Ten!
After a decade serving and leading in a turn around church, God has taught me several lessons. They keep in spirit with the lessons I wrote about five years ago, but have more focus. Here they are: The most important life I lead is my own. Self-leadership has pushed itself to the top of my […]
Why Don’t More People Attend Small Groups?
“We are committed to becoming a church of small groups.” “Life-change happens best in small groups.” “Everyone needs authentic community.” These statements, and others like them, are heard often in churches around the country. Small groups have become a big deal. Churches desiring to help members connect relationally and to grow in discipleship have turned […]