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Brothers or sisters had a serious conflict with each other. One of the parties came during the invitation song and writes on a card to be read to the congregation, “I’ve thought, done, and said things I shouldn’t have. Please forgive me.” They’ve never addressed the issues and actions that divided them. The offended party…
Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science (A Guide for Sinners, Quitters, and Procrastinators), by Drew Dyck, © 2019 by Drew Dyck, Moody Publishers, Chicago On the fifth Tuesday of each quarter of the year, I like to share a book I’ve read recently. I highlight “mustard…
The picture above is Emmet Champion, Wayne, Don, Brenda, and Gail after a picnic as Gail, Don, and Brenda were leaving for Childhaven Fleecy Clouds: One Woman’s Story of Surviving and Thriving after Childhood Abuse, by Gail Champion Barber and Alice Sullivan Written from the heart of a Champion, by Gail Champion Barber and Alice…
Have you seen this? An eldership had been middle-of-the-road or conservative for many years. Then there’s a complete switch. They move to the other side of the continuum. How could that be? Here’s something I observed in a church less than 1,000 miles from where I’m writing this post, and it happened less than 100…
The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups, by Daniel Coyle, Copyright © 2018 by Daniel Coyle; Bantam Books, New York Learn more about this book and buy it on Amazon: The Culture Code. If you buy from this link, I will get a commission. The book will cost the same. Here are the…
About two years ago, I visited with a pastor who started a new church. It was in a section of town where people told me you couldn’t grow a church. The neighborhood was changing. This man and his family had started the church in his living room with very few people about three or four…
Many preachers (and elders) are uncomfortable talking about money. I’ve written about my fright in discussing it. My First Raise and Why I Turned it Down How can elders minimize the necessity of the preacher bringing up the subject of more money? Have the agreement in the contract and job description. My agreement in full-time…
Family Systems and Congregational Life: A Map for Ministry, by R. Robert Creech, © 2019 by R. Robert Creech, Baker Academic Grand Rapids Robert Creech describes a leadership theory that says a person best leads by improving self more than making others do the right thing. You can view and buy this book on Amazon: Family Systems…
In January 1985, I listened to lectures on tape of The Insight System for Planning Your Time and Your Life, by Charles R. Hobbs. He had many good principles of time management. I listened to the lectures and did the homework. This has influenced my way of managing time. He said a person should manage their…
Fifty years ago, I started repeating favorite verses and sayings after my run: Physical exercise has some value (1 Timothy 4:8, GNB). As time progressed, I added more content that was meaningful. When I finish a run, I walk about a quarter of a mile to cool down. During this time I repeat this. What follows…