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It was one year, seven months, and 22 days since the gift was presented. Bob and Bea McElvain came to our Golden Wedding Anniversary party on August 30, 2014. They gave us a gift card to Patti’s 1880’s Restaurant in Grand Rivers, Kentucky. We enjoyed that meal on April 21, 2016. As we ate and…
A friend asked if I’d come to his congregation to conduct a workshop on setting goals for the church. I replied I’d rather conduct a workshop on setting individual goals. Unless leaders have developed and use a plan to grow individually, they probably won’t lead the church in developing a plan to grow. How can…
Why don’t people respect the authority of elders? Don’t they know the church is to follow the elders — not the preacher?” The Bible does teach that ordained men are to oversee each congregation. I’m sure there are strains of the preacheritis virus around that infect some people. Let me share with you something else…
I’m shopping for two items: an Apple watch and a tombstone. One seems more exciting than the other, but I want to buy both. With the watch, I look forward to more enjoyable runs, sending and receiving messages, checking on news and weather, and looking at emails. With the tombstone, I’m reminded I won’t be…
While running on Old Charlotte Road in Nashville recently, I was struck with the scene: seven mailboxes and eight Yellow Pages® books. They had been there for some time. They were weather worn. Why haven’t people picked them up and enthusiastically started using them? Fewer people are using Yellow Pages®. We threw ours away. I…
I hereby resign as a…of this congregation — effective immediately! There may be a nod of the head, his wife rises, and they exit the back door. Or a gasp when even his wife didn’t know it was coming. I’ve observed or heard of it happening from elders, deacons, and preachers. Without discussion or planning,…
There are two problems in delegation: not releasing a task and not accepting responsibility. I received the following email after a previous post: Marked this (delegation) early this morning to send to my elders…they do a great job in this area. The most challenging things for them are: Deacons who “grew up” under a system…
I know Jesus said to talk to people you have something against, but it won’t do any good because they won’t listen” My question: “What did they say when you talked to them?” Often the answer is, “I didn’t talk to them because it won’t do any good because they won’t listen.” “How do you…
I was asked to teach a young adult Bible class on Bible study or fasting. I chose Bible study because, at the time, I’d never fasted. I didn’t want to teach what Jesus and others said about fasting then make excuses about why I’d never practiced it. Since then I’ve fasted. I’m not an expert…
This is the way we’ve always done it. We don’t do it that way around here.” During an eldership funeral (topic for another blog post), I asked the elders, “Will you let new elders be a part of the team? Or will they be junior elders? Would you do anything differently if they suggested it…