A recent quote in my local newspaper caught my attention. A spokesman for a secular organization critiqued a Christian for speaking his convictions. That’s not the part that caught my eye. What stood out to me was the additional comments made by the organization’s spokesman, in which she said (paraphrase), “the convictions this man has …
Monthly Archives: December 2013
Knowledge has Consequences
We’ve all watched children laughing and playing. It usually provokes thoughts such as, “They don’t have a care in the world,” or “I wish I had their innocence,” or “Wouldn’t it be great to be a child again.” Ironically (if you can remember that far back) most of the children are thinking, “I can’t wait …
Your Church’s Turf May Be Bigger Than You Think
“Turf wars” can be brutal –especially within ministry. As a young minister in the Eighteenth Century, John Wesley was chided by the Anglican Church for preaching across parish lines (invading another pastor’s turf). When approached, Wesley famously explained, “The world is my parish.” In other words, Wesley did not draw boundaries for his ministry. He …
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The Future of Change
Change is hard –everyone knows that. So, will things ever cease to change? Perhaps we tend to think change will cease when this life is over and we arrive in our Heavenly home. Is this true? Changes in Heaven Today Let’s start with what is happening in Heaven right now. Jesus told his apostles that …
No lo, No go
Growing up in a pastor’s family, I was accustomed to being one of the last to leave the church building on Sundays. Many times, I would wander around the halls of the facility to pass the time. I can remember one time, in particular, when I opened the door to the large sanctuary and took …
Pastors Need Pastors!
In need of prayer? Call your pastor. Facing the loss of a loved one? Call your pastor. Been betrayed? Call your pastor. Carrying the weight of an entire congregation’s burdens is a difficult task –and only the pastor knows the full gravity of the position. So at the end of a long day of pastoring …
No Black Balloons Today
Today would have been Jill’s 40th birthday. Years ago, if you would have asked me what I would be doing on December 20, 2013, I would have said something like, “blowing up black balloons,” or “making last-minute preparations for a surprise party.” I’d like to think that I would have thrown her the best “over …
Pastors -Just Say, “I Don’t Know”
The moment one becomes a pastor, something strange happens: people suddenly think you know everything about the Bible! Twenty-four hours ago, you were like everyone else –learning the Bible a little at a time. But once you become, “Reverend” or “Brother,” the expectations skyrocket. Let’s be honest, nothing really changes overnight for new pastors. They …
3 Great Reasons to Be a Small Church
I’m not a fan of judging a church by its attendance. For that reason, I must confess my double standard. During my time as a pastor, I paid attention to the size of the Sunday crowd. I guess its just human nature to think bigger is better. On several occasions, however, I was happy with …
Overcoming Teeter-Totter Temptation
Teeter-totter: Perhaps the greatest name for piece of playground equipment. The name itself paints a picture, doesn’t it? I recently took my son to a park where he became fascinated with a teeter-totter. After a few minutes of “teetering” (or is it tottering?) with him, I had to take a break. As I sat down …