A New Criterion For Success
Many of us sense that the church is in between one thing and another. We are in a period of transition in value systems. Ego-based ministry is collapsing. Our culture had its stars — Madonna, Michael Jackson, and O.J. Simpson. We had our own stars too. In fact, the church became literally star struck in
The Church: A Non-Prophet Organization?
Many ministers of my generation were raised on a spicy diet of fire-and-brimstone preaching. Years ago, some preachers could describe hell so fearsomely, that people in the pews would begin to tremble, then burst out to repent at the altar right during the preaching. Congregations simply expected their pastor to preach like a prophet from
Climb Up Sunshine Mountain
Climb climb up Sunshine Mountain, faces all aglow. Why does the writer of this passage choose the term climb? Most likely it is the author’s view of the Christian life that has influenced the choice. This writer’s view of the Christian life is progressive — that it is moving upward and is best represented by
You Can’t Lead Others Further Than You Yourself Have Come
“You can’t lead others further than you yourself have come.” TRUE OR FALSE?Can you lead others further than you yourself have come? Can you? Are “the people” always limited by their leader’s vision, growth, intensity? We’ve all said this little phrase to prod leaders–especially pastors — to get their act together. The saying is a
How Do People Change?
How do people change? By changing their mind first and then their behavior follows? Or by changing their behavior first, and their mind follows? I’ve noticed both approaches in the church today. 1. “People think their way into a new way of acting.” The first approach aims an argument at a person’s mind believing once
Climb Up Sunshine Mountain
Climb climb up Sunshine Mountain, faces all aglow. Why does the writer of this passage choose the term climb? Most likely it is the author’s view of the Christian life that has influenced the choice. This writer’s view of the Christian life is progressive — that it is moving upward and is best represented by
Rapid Reading the Bible?
In my Leadership class here at IWU students are required to read and master two books during the first week of class. Few students can accomplish this without developing some “rapid reading techniques,” which is, of course, part of the assignment’s purpose. This week we’re in the middle of that “reading week” and I’ve received
Good Bible Preaching…. Or is it?
Pastor Mike’s message on “Salt” last Sunday was both creative and relevant. His Michigan congregation had driven to church that morning behind snowplows spreading salt a quarter inch thick. In a lively and dynamic sermon Pastor Mike (not his real name) likened the role of Christians in the world to “spreading salt on the world’s
So What Does the Bible Really Mean?
Search the Internet on any topic: abortion, homosexuality, election, security, capital punishment or whatever, and what will you find? Your search engine will likely produce a hundred different web pages with half as many positions — all claiming they are “Bible based” or growing from “Biblical Christian Assumptions.” Are they? How can the same Scriptures
Scriptural Whistle Blowing
Scriptural Whistle Blowing-Taking Scripture Out Of Context The following are notes from my “Writer’s Notebook”-ideas that might develop into a Tuesday Column. They are presented here for two reasons: (a)because some of you only need a seed idea to get what you want from me-something to think about. And (b) some of you like to
Pssst… Boomers: They’re Laughing at You!
Have you ever had one of those eerie experiences when people are laughing behind your back-but they won’t tell you why? It is embarrassing. Well, I’m sorry to have to report to my fellow boomers that it’s happening to us! I teach the emerging generation, especially in the area of worship. And they are snickering
Leadership Quips, Quotes, Models and Proverbs
The following is my collection of well-known quips, quotes and sayings of leadership. They formulate for me a doctrine of leadership — a collection of what I tend to believe about leadership, work, people and myself. In that sense they are “proverbs” I have adopted as my own-I believe them. Most leaders collect such statement