It’s quite possible – and horribly tragic – for people to agree with your list of sins and still not have a relationship with Jesus.
Great Churches Emphasize What They’re For, Not What They’re Against Read More »
When competence is abundant, but character is rare, the old-school character traits of integrity, kindness, hospitality, and simplicity become cool again.
From Cringe To Cool: 11 Old-School Church Trends That Deserve A Second Look Read More »
Every church leadership organization needs to have at least one permanent seat at the table for someone who is currently serving in a small church for the long haul.
It’s hard to learn anything new when all you hear is your own voice coming back at you. This is one of the most disheartening aspects of our current cultural climate. So many of us can’t bear to hear anything that doesn’t fit our previously-held worldview. Instead, we retreat into our echo chambers, with social
Opening The Windows Of The Echo Chamber Read More »
If you have a hard time fighting for your side without mocking people on the other side, you need to reconsider your argument. It may not be as strong as you think.
If I Unfriend You, Here’s Why Read More »
For the first time in my memory, many church growth writers and speakers are making sure to say “there’s nothing wrong with small churches” when they teach about church growth. This is good, and I’m grateful for that concession. Unfortunately, that’s what it is. A concession. That’s not enough any more.
Saying “There’s Nothing Wrong With Small Churches” Is A Great Start, But It’s Not Enough Read More »
When we’re at our best, the church isn’t just another group on one side of the partisan political conflict that pits people against each other. We’re the ones who should be a shining light of hope that rises above it all.
There’s no style of church that everyone likes.
Over the last few years I’ve participated in so many different types of worship, and it’s reaffirmed for me that our unity in Christ is much stronger than our differences in style or method.
I’ve been with a lot of people who do church very differently than what I’m used to or comfortable with. So I’ve had to either open up to what Jesus is doing through those varied methods, or close myself down and retreat back to the stability and safety of familiarity.
Opening up to different ways of doing church is scary. And exhilarating. And sometimes I get it wrong.
Closing down to different ways of doing church is easy. And boring. And sometimes I get it wrong.
I’d rather get it wrong while trying new things than get it wrong while staying comfortable.
I Don’t Like the Way You Do Church Read More »
There’s no style of church that everyone likes.
Over the last few years I’ve participated in so many different types of worship, and it’s reaffirmed for me that our unity in Christ is much stronger than our differences in style or method.
I’ve been with a lot of people who do church very differently than what I’m used to or comfortable with. So I’ve had to either open up to what Jesus is doing through those varied methods, or close myself down and retreat back to the stability and safety of familiarity.
Opening up to different ways of doing church is scary. And exhilarating. And sometimes I get it wrong.
Closing down to different ways of doing church is easy. And boring. And sometimes I get it wrong.
I’d rather get it wrong while trying new things than get it wrong while staying comfortable.
I Don’t Like the Way You Do Church Read More »
Sometimes we need to highlight the differences between church sizes in order to lead them properly.
“Big churches do something this way, while small churches do it this way” needs to be a regular part of our leadership learning and dialog.
But highlighting those differences should never be done in an ‘Us vs Them’ manner.
We need to learn how to contrast without criticism.
People in almost every other field of endeavor (like cooks, contractors, publishers and scientists) know this. They regularly compare, contrast and utilize different ingredients, tools, fonts and methods to become better at what they do. Leaders within the body of Christ need to have a similar approach to our extra-biblical differences.
Big Churches And Small Churches: Contrast Without Criticism Read More »
