“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And … [Read more...] about Excuses Inevitably Lead to the Erosion of Values
The 20-year test
There is a school of thought running rampant in congregations these days that sounds something like this: “This is the worst … [Read more...] about The 20-year test
Choose Your Words Carefully
Here are ten words/phrases that I would prefer not to experience … [Read more...] about Choose Your Words Carefully
Tidying Up the Church
Be surrounded by the things you love. I’m immersed in a book called The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. Kondo is Japanese and has … [Read more...] about Tidying Up the Church
Take a deep breath . . . over and over
I have three children, they are teenagers now, but I remember when each of them was an infant, and they were crying … or screaming, I really wished … [Read more...] about Take a deep breath . . . over and over
Reading the Landscape
What is the most important tool in the pastoral toolbox? What ability will strengthen all the other abilities with which one is endowed? And what … [Read more...] about Reading the Landscape
A Church for Those Who Wander
The book of James closes with a most interesting assertion: “My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back … [Read more...] about A Church for Those Who Wander
Ability to Respond: Healthy Assumption of Responsibility
There’s a two-word phrase we often use which sounds simple enough but which is actually quite complex: assuming responsibility (or taking or … [Read more...] about Ability to Respond: Healthy Assumption of Responsibility
Sixteen Books I Plan to read in 2016
My love for reading was slow to develop. During my teenage years, I perceived reading to be a nuisance and necessary evil. At some point during my … [Read more...] about Sixteen Books I Plan to read in 2016
