Last night I joined about 25 of our BigHouse students for an evening of impromptu ministry at the Transportation Center in the heart of uptown Charlotte.We set up tables, handed out gloves, socks, & scarves, gave out cups of hot chocolate and bags of cookies, and...
It's good to know why you do certain things. It's true for both individuals and organizations.Which is why we put language to the values that support the mission of inviting all people into a living relationship with Jesus Christ.If you attend Good Shepherd already,...
These five are not exactly "Away In A Manger," but by and large they sure are fun. 1. Paul Simon, Getting Ready For Christmas Day. As I posted back in April, I loved this song from the first time I heard it. Why does a non-observant Jew sample an African-American...
So yesterday I didn't preach.You might think that odd, since the Sunday before Christmas Eve is historically one of the most well-attended of the year. Which is precisely why I didn't preach.I thought it was an extraordinarily important time for the church to hear...
In honor of our series Christmas Lights and this week's emphasis on the kind of light reflected by those who follow Jesus, enjoy this one from DC Talk.In the world of Contemporary Christian Music, still one of the earliest, coolest, and best: Sunday. 8:30. 10. 11:30.
Hebrews 11 conludes its "Hall Of Faith" -- a recitation of the many biblical characters who, ironically, did not "receive what was promised" despite a lifetime of obedience -- with these words:"the world was not worthy of them." What a thought: that we as God's people...
This past Saturday morning, as part of the clean up crew for our Room In The Inn ministry, I met someone who attends the church.It turns out that I had met him in passing before, but it had not registered.Anyway, I began a litany of questions for my new friend.How...
As I was born in 1961, I'm part of the first legitimate "TV Generation." So what are those shows that shaped my childhood and even today fill me with fondness as I traipse down memory lane?Here are the Top Five:1. Leave It To Beaver. Few things make me more nostalgic...
In the aftermath of a memorial service that we held last week, I began thinking about how different tasks in ministry require vastly different mindsets.On the one hand, as that memorial service suggests, we are with people in the most vulnerable times of their lives...
Light.Dark.You've got to understand the one to appreciate the other.You've got to expose the one to live in the other.That's what we'll explore the Sunday as we move into Week 2 of Christmas Lights.I like what we have planned -- especially because we an experience of...