There are certain phrases that those of us who are part of the church in general and ministry in particular should never use as self-descriptors. In other words, we should never say them about ourselves . . . but we should be grateful if others say them about us.Here...
. . . there's an app for that.This week takes us into some of the most interesting territory from the book of Proverbs. Especially considering the wisdom level of the man who wrote the bulk of the book.I really like this app. I like what we're going to do this...
Pathfinder is just about my favorite ministry at Good Shepherd. I love it because . . .1) It helps a big church feel small.2) It is a low-pressure way into group life.3) Our guides have good personalities.4) It is not bible study, but it is spiritual conversation.5)...
From 1990-1999, I served in what Methodists call a "two-point charge": Mt. Carmel & Midway United Methodist Churches in Union County.At 9:45, I would preach at Midway, an open country church that averaged about 30 people per Sunday when I arrived. By the time I...
Tim Stevens of Granger Church had an interesting post recently called "How To Leave Your Church." Written for lay people from the perspective of a staff person, the post is worth reading for the lengthy comment section alone.But it got me thinking . . . what about the...
At the end of last week, Julie and I took our daughter back to college in Nashville, TN. Because of dicy weather and rock slides, we took the "southern" route to get there: down to Atlanta, up to Chattanooga, and over to Nashville. So we were in four states: both...
. . . there's an app for that.We move into week two of the Proverbs-based series There's An App For That with a look at what this timeless book says about anger.And it says a lot.Both descriptive and preventative.We need this.Most of us either have a hot head or live...
On January 7, 1979, I became a follower of Christ.Saved. Born again. Became a Christian. Accepted faith. Whatever terminology you use, the result was the same. I gave Jesus my life that day.I was 17 and had recently been to a Christmas Eve service at a nearby church...
ESPN radio personality Colin Cowherd -- I've said before that I want to preach like he does radio -- has what he calls the "say it out loud test."It's this: if you want to decide if something is a good idea or not, say it out loud. When you say it out loud, it will...
As our church moves through the book of Proverbs in the series There's An App For That, I continue to realize that this ancient collection of wisdom is not for people with a "crisis faith."What is "crisis faith?" It is the "faith" practiced by those who ignore their...