How do you feel about preaching in summer? Loss of energy, lack of direction, weather just too hot and muggy to get up and go? Here are some ideas to put wind in your sails. For United Methodist preachers this summer may be particularly depressing. We have just watched our beloved denomination go through another …
One of the key attributes of a pastor must be leadership. While there are many styles and functions of different leadership traits, the pastor must also be able to lead in a variety of situations. In future videos we will examine a broader range of considerations, but this video is about the basics. Four keys …
There is this instant in the relay race where everything hangs in the balance. Even if every runner does their best job, they can lose it all in a heartbeat if they fail to make the hand off. So, it is with pastors and churches in pastoral transition, everything you worked for and hoped for …
For years we have assumed that what the general church says is the “Mission” of the church, is in fact the mission of every church. This might be true of the pastors, or a few key leaders, but most of the people in the pews have little understanding of the mission of the church, nor …
Three principles to make wise decisions Making wise decisions is critical. It is unfortunate then, that churches spend so little time thinking about the process they use to make decisions. Many churches have poor procedures and organizations, which result in making some poor decisions. They are simply not set up to make wise decisions. Here …
It is a curious thing, but many pastors strongly resist being seen as the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of their church. It’s time to rethink that position. Being a great CEO can be a tremendous blessing for the pastor and the church. But you’d be surprised what it actually takes to be a great CEO. …
By Steve Petty “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?” Luke 14:28 NRSV It’s not always just the cost in money. Money is simply the way we purchase materials. The most essential building material since the …
Oh, it’s warm to hot and our energy is not. Summertime means everyone kicks back a bit and takes life easy. Slip in a few weeks of vacation. Get to work a bit later and sidle out just a bit early. Most committees have fewer members as folk take vacations from church or actually go …
There is nothing more fun than seeing the sanctuary so filled on Sunday morning that preschool children must sit on their parents’ laps in order for everyone to have a space to sit. It’s not “standing room only”; it’s “lap space only”. It’s noisy and energetic and simply crazy, and it can happen in your …
What to do with Holy Week? How can it be really special this year? How can Holy Week increase the faith and devotion of your members and guests? It is obvious something powerful needs to take place, but what and how? Holy Week is a gigantic part of the Christian message: We should find ways …