A few weeks ago people in my part of the country received a pleasant surprise. Just as summer came to an official end, the weather turned unseasonably warm. The highs were around thirty degrees with lots of sunshine. In other…
Some Words Of Encouragement
Every once in a while I need a note of encouragement. I have filed away in my computer some quotes that often provide that encouragement for me. I try to extract from every book that I read at least one…
The Larger The Church The Greater The Risk
During my years as a pastor I once found myself in a situation in which I had to ask someone to leave the church. I can still remember that conversation in which I suggested that it would be best for…
Strengths Of The Small Church: Part 1
I find myself often explaining to people that I am not opposed to large churches. I am afraid that in conversations I can so emphasize my love for the small church that I sound like I think that large churches…
A Note of Encouragement from Henri Nouwen
It has been quite a while since I have written a blog entry whose sole purpose is to encourage so I hope that this one encourages each person who reads it. I am currently reading a book by Henri J.M.…
The Danger of Focusing On Numerical Growth
I wrote this entry some time ago and never published it. It isn’t that I didn’t like its message. It just got missed. I am publishing it today because I think that it is an important message for the beginning…
A Note of Encouragement
As I write this, a new year is just a few days away. One of the things that I love about time is that it is full of new beginnings. Every new day is a new beginning. Every time that…
A Christmas Blessing
The eternal Son of God Born in a stable Born into poverty Born of a virgin The eternal Son of God Living a life of service Living a life of sacrifice Living a life of rejection The eternal…
My 100th Post
It seems hard to believe but this is my 100th post since I began writing this blog. It is my prayer that what I have written has been both an encouragement and a challenge to you. I hope that it…
Is church health measured by numbers or impact?
For quite a long time now we have been told that healthy churches are growing churches. I don’t know how often I have had someone suggest to me that if a church is really healthy, it will grow numerically. It…