A few years ago, I became the lead pastor of a large, 65-year-old congregation that had gone through three years of turmoil and tension. There were arguments about pastoral leadership. The congregation was divided. For a variety of reasons, Sunday morning attendance had dropped by 500, finances had declined $10,000 per Sunday in general fund… Continue reading RESTORING A CHURCH’S SELF-IMAGE
Category: Insights for Leadership
REDISCOVERING LAY MINISTRY – 1
Tom Landry, the legendary coach of the Dallas Cowboys and a committed Christian, once compared the church to the crowd at a football game. He said there were 22 exhausted people on the field in need of rest, while 80,000 people sat in the stands needing some exercise. He claimed that in the church, a… Continue reading REDISCOVERING LAY MINISTRY – 1
RESOLVING CHURCH CONFLICT
During nearly 50 years of ministry, I have been called to pastor churches that had experienced major conflict prior to my appointment as pastor. I was asked to lead these congregations through the process of healing. I’ve learned a lot. If you’ve been around church for a while, you’ve probably seen conflict emerge, often with… Continue reading RESOLVING CHURCH CONFLICT
BUSYNESS
Many people end up living like Tattoo, the young basset hound in Tacoma, Washington. Newspaper reports indicate Tattoo didn’t intend to go for a run, but when his owner shut the leash in the car door and drove off with Tattoo still outside the vehicle, Tattoo had no choice. When an officer noticed the vehicle… Continue reading BUSYNESS
Seven Things I’ve Learned About Ministry
I am at the age now when I’m old enough to have experienced a lot, but still young enough to profit from what I’ve learned. There were many things I didn’t know when I started out in ministry. Some things I knew in my head but hadn’t experienced. If I had really known these things,… Continue reading Seven Things I’ve Learned About Ministry
PHILIP THE DEACON – 1: Problems Bring Possibilities
The other day a businessman told me his problem. He was a victim of his own success. The company he had started faces a crisis. It is now so big that he can’t manage it by himself. It’s a good problem, but a problem just the same. He faces some tough choices. He can continue… Continue reading PHILIP THE DEACON – 1: Problems Bring Possibilities
THE CHRISTMAS SUNRISE
I watched the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean this morning. What a sight! The golden rays of sunlight breaking through a few scattered clouds, were spectacular. It said darkness is vanishing and there is a great new day on the way. Each morning, the sunrise inspires me. I have the privilege of watching the sun… Continue reading THE CHRISTMAS SUNRISE
RESILIENCE: Bouncing Back From The Bottom
When I was a teenager, I remember listening to a famous boxing match on the radio. On December 10, 1958, Yvon Durelle, from New Brunswick, Canada fought Archie Moore for the Light Heavy Weight Championship of the world. Moore was famous; Durelle was an unknown. Moore was the world champion; Durelle was a nobody. Moore… Continue reading RESILIENCE: Bouncing Back From The Bottom
WORSHIP: The Entertainment Model
A while back I was asked to speak on an unusual topic at an interdenominational conference for church leaders. The topic I was assigned was, “Worship: The Entertainment Model.” I’d never heard the term before. In fact, at first, I was insulted that I would be asked to speak on such a topic. It was… Continue reading WORSHIP: The Entertainment Model
I PREACH TO FIVE CONGREGATIONS EVERY SUNDAY
One Sunday, I remember looking out at the congregation of more than 1,000 people that I had the privilege of ministering truth to each week. There was John, a recent convert. He was divorced and single. He had come out of a totally secular environment but was eager, inquisitive and loaded questions. He was sorting… Continue reading I PREACH TO FIVE CONGREGATIONS EVERY SUNDAY