Some people shouldn’t be allowed to own and display bumper stickers. Going home from the office, a little Honda swerved around me, causing me to slam on my breaks and almost hit another car in a turn lane. The driver popped his arm out the window and gave me a […]
Recently, a young pastor shared this story with me. He and his congregation studied Vital Signs together over a year ago, and they have been working to balance their inward focus (ministries for the membership) with an outward focus (ministries to the community). He thought the church was doing a really […]
Two recent experiences stay in my mind that cause me to question some of the current values driving many of our churches. Three values specifically call for some reflection: do we prefer substance or do we prefer style? are we more concerned about our identity or our image? is being […]
Go to any Christian bookstore and you can find thousands of books promising to turn your church around (whatever that means). These books primarily focus on programs and activities that attract new people to the church, or give leadership ‘secrets’ that guarantee success. (“We did it! You can do it, […]
Here is an exerpt from an email I received recently: I have given up on the church totally. I can be a much better Christian on my own without the constant disappointment of a group of people who claim one thing then do another. I need a church to help […]
