This is the third of a series of three attempts to flesh out a parallel between gardening and congregational life. Gardens, plants, horticulture and … [Read more...] about The Plants: Gardening as a Metaphor for Churches
Gardening as a Metaphor for Churches: The Gardener
Most of our nation has endured an extremely harsh winter. As a result, this spring has been met with a sigh of relief and a sense of welcome that … [Read more...] about Gardening as a Metaphor for Churches: The Gardener
Gardening as a Metaphor for Churches
In recent years, I’ve been giving a good deal of thought to metaphors that communicate clearly what a healthy church or minister is like. There are … [Read more...] about Gardening as a Metaphor for Churches
Murky Waters
My wife and I once bought our kids a goldfish. A few days later I looked across the room at a fishbowl of murky water and decided to do something nice … [Read more...] about Murky Waters
Navigating the Land of Giants
The story of the Israelite’s thwarted entry into the Promised Land has always made me curious. The twelve spies cross the Jordan and reconnoiter the … [Read more...] about Navigating the Land of Giants
Your Congregational Aroma
Like many of you, I regularly read outside the world of congregational life in an effort to understand leadership issues. Recently, in Fast Company, I … [Read more...] about Your Congregational Aroma
Is Church Harder than It’s Ever Been?
Guest post by Travis Collins. Being a spiritual leader never has been easy, I’m sure. But something’s different nowadays. Sheri Ferguson noted that … [Read more...] about Is Church Harder than It’s Ever Been?
What Can We Learn from America’s Cities
Imagine a community in steady decline. There are fewer and fewer people and revenues are declining. Young families, especially, are missing. There is … [Read more...] about What Can We Learn from America’s Cities
What Churches Can Learn from Universities
Churches are not the only institutions wrestling with the transition from a tradition-bound orientation toward a more relevant contemporary life. In … [Read more...] about What Churches Can Learn from Universities
