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One of the most disruptive things to me about COVID-19 has been the Lord’s Supper. For more than forty years, I’ve had a structured meditation for the Lord’s Supper. There are reflections while I’m eating the bread and another series of thoughts for the fruit of the vine. In most congregations, there’s been adequate time…
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…
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…
UPROAR: Calm Leadership in Anxious Times, by Peter L. Steinke, Rowman & Littlefied, Lanham; Copyright © 2019 by The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc; ISBN 9781538116531 Peter Steinke died July 13, 2020. This was his last book. He had been studying, writing, and teaching about family systems for twenty-five years. I went to a…
The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues #ad, by Patrick Lencioni, Copyright © 2016, Published by Josey-Bass, Hoboken, New Jersey ISBN: 9781119209591 I found a good model for interviewing and selecting someone and how that person will work with others. I don’t endorse all the language in the book….
Who’s gonna fill their shoes?Who’s gonna stand that tall?Who’s gonna play the OpryAnd the Wabash Cannonball?Who’s gonna give their heart and soulTo get to me and you?Lord I wonder, who’s gonna fill their shoes? Max D. Barnes and Troy Seals wrote the song, “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes,” released by George Jones in 1985. They…
Jesus said faith as a mustard seed could move a mountain: Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20). I’ve found that principle helpful and now…
When I started working with churches between preachers nearly thirteen years ago, several people, said, “You should write a book on interim ministry.” I started the blog Between Preachers in January 2016 which became the book released last week. Between Preachers is now available in both paperback and Kindle on Amazon. Order your copy: [su_button…
Deep Change: discovering the leader within, by Robert E. Quinn, Copyright © 1996 by John Wiley & sons, Inc., New York, ISBN 0-7879-0244-6 Some links are affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take action after clicking one of these. You can buy this book form Amazon: Deep Change, by Robert…
Listen to leaders as they talk about their work: elders, deacons, preachers. Some are upbeat, excited, interested, asking questions, sharing new information. Some are discouraged, flat, defeated, and confused. What’s the difference? One of the differences I’ve noticed is one group is learning, reading, discussing, and participating in opportunities for growth and development. The other…