The Advent season is upon us, the season of waiting and preparing our hearts for the arrival of the Christ child. Waiting is hard. When I … [Read more...] about Can We Risk Waiting This Advent Season?
How Can This Be? – Engaging the Nones in the Spirit of Advent
I am a data guy. While I smile knowingly at the words of Mark Twain who supposedly said that “statistics may not lie but liars always use … [Read more...] about How Can This Be? – Engaging the Nones in the Spirit of Advent
What to Do with the Nones?
Ryan Burge is rather convincing. As an academic (Eastern Illinois University) social scientist-American Baptist pastor, he has a foot in two of the … [Read more...] about What to Do with the Nones?
Spiritual Rhythm in the Midst of Bustle and Activity
As I began to prepare for this blog post, I had just come out of a staff meeting where everyone was sharing how they were gearing up for fall. There … [Read more...] about Spiritual Rhythm in the Midst of Bustle and Activity
Five Reasons to Still Love the Church
Last month marked fifty years since I enrolled in a theological school to prepare for a life in ministry. I can honestly say, after all these … [Read more...] about Five Reasons to Still Love the Church
Seven Risks Worth Taking
On September 13, 2022, Pew Research released a report modeling the potential future of Christianity in the United States. In it, they … [Read more...] about Seven Risks Worth Taking
On Not Losing Heart
It had been one of “those” Sundays: the sermon misfired, the choir was off-key, the chair of deacons mentioned a member who complained she didn’t get … [Read more...] about On Not Losing Heart
Easter Bunny Helps Church Growth
Many ailing churches are desperate to stem the loss of members. Jesus settled the limits of what he would do to attract a crowd (Matthew 4:1-11), but … [Read more...] about Easter Bunny Helps Church Growth
7 Reasons You Need to Let Your Congregation Catch Up With the Vision
History clearly demonstrates that God plants a vision for some effort or work God intends to accomplish. Sometimes a clergy leader is out front, … [Read more...] about 7 Reasons You Need to Let Your Congregation Catch Up With the Vision
