Life’s Too Short To Be In A Dead Church
After I went into the ministry, I can recall numerous conversations with my parents about the sorry spiritual condition of their church. Fortunately, I was able to serve some very strong churches as a staff member. They would visit us and inevitably say something like, “Brother __________ sure can’t preach like that. All he does
What About This Business Of Plagiarism?
Okay, I’ll admit right off the bat, I’ve been guilty of using other peoples material and not giving them credit. Let he that is without sin, cast the first stone! We’ve all done it. Unfortunately, preachers are as guilty as anyone of stealing someone’s message and preaching it verbatim. We’re guilty of copying an article
Zip My Lips
Can you keep a secret? The longer I live, the more I realize the scarcity of persons who can be trusted with confidential information. Whether in government (an unnamed White House source) or the church, people love to talk. R.G. Lee said, “A lie travels around the world while truth is putting on its boots.”
Dead to Flattery and Flattening
When Paul wrote Galatians 2:20, he gave all who are called to minister a timeless truth. Gal 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of
Worship As A Moving Target Part 4
In this issue, I want to address a few issues we will never agree on. Once we realize we will never agree, we can learn to accept one another in love as Jesus commanded. We will never agree on lighting? Some want the church to be dark and reverent encouraging personal worship. Others want it
Worship As A Moving Target, Part 2
Here’s an unrelated question? But, if you are honest, you’ve got to admit it. There are times when you sit on the platform and someone is singing just before you preach and you wonder if they stepped on a nail or were trying to hit a note out of their range. When are lay singers
Worship As A Moving Target Part 3
Let’s pick up where we left off in the last issue. Right now, I can hear some of my contemporary music friends saying, “Amen.” But wait. Hold on a minute. The contemporary crowd is no better. Those who lean toward the contemporary want everything to be upbeat. They never know how to “be still and
Worship As A Moving Target, Part 1
Recently I attended a meeting with about 20 other pastors. Each of us pastors a large, growing church. We came together from all across America to discuss what’s happening in the church today. While we were all different, we had much in common because of our size. It was a refreshing meeting and one I
Don’t Be A Co-dependent or Insecure Minister
I am not an authority on this matter but in my humble and accurate opinion, which I highly respect, I find that there are far too many in the ministry who have a need to be needed. Please don’t be offended by that statement. Someone once said of professional counselors, the only people crazy enough
When You Have To Let Someone Go
In my ministry, there have been three times when I’ve reached the point of writing a resignation letter. In all three instances, I was (a) out of gas emotionally, (b) concerned about my base of support with the silent majority, (c) under severe attack. I can also remember that every situation was, unfortunately, staff related.
Seven Deadly Sins of a Church Staff
The following is not so much an article but my notes for a recent presentation with our church staff. It’s part of a leadership seminar I’m working on. If you are a pastor, you might find something you identify with. If you are a staff member, read carefully. You may not agree with all of
A Final Thought On Books and Bookstores
If you are like me, you love a good bookstore. Over the years, I’ve been blessed to find some incredible Christian bookstores that have (a)put a dent in my budget and (b) blessed my ministry. I’m a sucker for a book. Currently I have over 10,000 books in my library and around 5,000 tapes of