Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, scientists constructed a research facility in Arizona called Biosphere 2. Its purpose was to study the interactions between life-systems in a controlled environment, ostensibly to explore the possibility for usage in outer space.
Read MoreFor most of my years as a Senior Pastor, I took time off during the month of July to rest, think, pray, and plan. In addition to allowing me to slow down and engage in personal renewal, I also used this time to do long-range sermon planning and study.
Read MoreThat leathery old saint, A. W. Tozer, is credited with a quote I’ve shared quite a few times. “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.”
Read MoreIn last week’s post, I talked about how the recent shutdown during the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic actually presented the 21st-century church with a wonderful opportunity. Almost overnight we went from being the church gathered to being the church scattered.
Read MoreAs often happens when we go through hard times, somehow, someway, something good comes out of it. I think that’s true for the western church in this current crisis. The shut-downs brought on by COVID-19 have forced churches all over the world to rethink the ways we “do church.”
Read MoreAs a young leader, I was 100 percent convinced that competency was the key to effectiveness in leadership. I no longer believe that’s true.
Read MoreJesus was the greatest leader who ever lived. He inspired multitudes with His teaching. He performed miracles before thousands. Yet, for all of His interaction with large numbers of people, His primary investment was with a small group of individuals.
Read MoreEven though the coronavirus crisis continues to rage, there’s already talk of when we can expect things to get back to normal. When life as we once knew it will return. Please allow me to offer an observation. Things will never get back to normal.
Read MoreThese are dark days. The threat of the COVID-19 pandemic is growing more and more serious. The infection rate is soaring. Hospitals are being overwhelmed. The death rate is advancing. For those of us in church leadership, this Easter will be unlike any other in our lives.
Read MoreThese are truly unprecedented times. Never in my lifetime have we had to face a global pandemic with all of the physical, relational, financial, and spiritual implications. So, how does one lead when this is such uncharted territory?
Read MoreI’m asked quite often, “What is the discipleship method that you have found to be the most effective?” When I hear that, I know what the individual is looking for. They’re hoping to find a neatly packaged program that they can implement in their church to dramatic results.
Read MoreThe Old Testament is filled with illustrations of great leaders: Moses, Joshua, Esther, David, Hezekiah, Josiah, etc. I love to read of their exploits and marvel at their victories. Yet there’s another who is right at the top of my list of favorites. It’s the son of King Saul – Jonathan.
Read MoreLooking back at 35 years of preaching, there were some themes that deserved an annual emphasis. Some of these were holiday-based – Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, New Year’s. But I also came to see that there was another theme that also needed to be addressed every year. Money. Surprised?
Read MorePastors traffic daily in books. Of course, we preach the Book and as such, it should lead any list. But beyond that, we are on an endless search for other books that will encourage and equip us in ministry.
Read MoreFundamentally, effective leadership is based upon an invitation to relationship and a challenge to change. As seen in Jesus’ example, when skillfully calibrated, the result is transformation from the inside out. This is true not only for individuals, it’s also true for churches.
Read MoreMonty Roberts spent his youth in the western prairies rounding up wild mustangs. He observed the typical method of “breaking horses,” as they were ridden by “bronco busters” until exhaustion or tied to a post and beaten until the animal’s will was broken. Watching this happen, Monty began to think that there had to be another way…a less barbaric way…a more natural way.
Read MoreAsk any pastor about the importance of discipleship and you’ll get a vigorous nod accompanied by passionate words: “Absolutely what we’re to be about”… ”The bottom line by which to measure success”… ”Jesus’ marching orders couldn’t be clearer.” That being the case, why do we see discipleship languishing in the vast majority of churches?
Read MoreIt was a special opportunity to go fishing with an old friend. As we shared our time on the water, he brought me up to speed on his battle with prostate cancer. “Right now the numbers are good,” he said. “But soon I will have received all the radiation and hormone treatment that is allowable. Things might well change then.”
Read MoreI read the following recently: Life is made up of moments .| Moments create days. | Days create months. | Months create years. | Years create life. | Lose the moment and you lose Life.
Read MoreIt’s one thing to dream of changing a culture – it’s another thing to see it happen.
We’ve all seen how even the most noble of ideas can fail to launch successfully. (Believe me, I can testify to literally scores of “great strategies” that I launched from the Cape Canaveral of my imagination over the years – all too many of which ended up sputtering into the Atlantic Ocean of failure.)
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