What A Photo And Its Caption Taught Me About Leadership

Some of you know that I have an uneasy relationship with leadership. In some ways I think I lead well.  In a lot of others, I know I don't. Nevertheless, in this ongoing life tutorial about leadership, I learned a valuable lesson last week.  And that lesson stemmed...

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Chip’s Tips

Chip Sigmon is a published author, former strength coach for the Charlotte Hornets (anyone remember the Allen Bristow era?), long time Good Shepherd member, and personal friend. During this unusual season of life, he is also helping me stay as fit as possible,...

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The “House Arrest” Sermon Rewind

Yesterday's message ... Was delivered to a "studio audience" of 10 but a digital one of many more than that; Had a title inspired by something Ron Dozier mentioned during a quick video devotion last week; Was propelled by a lingering question:  "what if you don't get...

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#TBT — March, 1996

Since there is no March Madness year, how's this throwback for that time for those of us with an alma mater in New Jersey, March was the maddest of them all.  UCLA was the defending national champion, by the way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYd9Tqiy-z8  

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How I Answered Five Questions About Preaching

As part of its ongoing Leadership Development process, the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church asked five of its preachers to answer five specific questions about the craft. The column released late last week, but may have been overlooked...

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Double Sermon Rewind

With the surreality of our current situation which led to Livestream worship only, here's what we did: We recorded two welcomes -- one from April Portrais, our communications director, and one from me. Then we pointed to a sermon originally preached in the summer of...

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Sermon Killers

Preachers: you don't want to walk people through a sermon outline. You want to take them on a sermon adventure. Crafting such an adventure requires tension, uncertainty, and intimacy.  It also requires avoiding a couple of very common sermon killers.  Let’s make sure...

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