Four Cents: Why do churches get stuck?

March 3, 2007

In an attempt to open up the conversation a bit more, I am going to try something different with this blog. Once a month or so, I will pose a question relating to the health of the church. I will put in my two cents, you put in your two. The goal is to have much interaction and get people thinking about how our churches can attain better health. Plateaued growth is a common description said of many churches. Indeed, entire denominations are in a state of decline. For example, the denomination that Read more [...]

What Really Matters

February 28, 2007

There are times in ministry when God places people in your life for specific reasons. God uses these people as an example for us to see Christ. I like to call them Christ-reflectors. Undoubtedly, we are to be Christ-like. We should mirror our Maker. But at times we forget what that means in everyday practical life. Such was a time in my life when I was focused on the “ministry” and not focused on simply being Christ-like. God used Mattie to remind me of what really matters. Unfortunately, the Read more [...]

Where is the Church Going?

February 23, 2007

As a pastor, I am always thinking about the future. How can we reach our community better? What can we do to disciple people more? How do we get more members on fire about sharing their faith? I want to know where my church is going. So I am constantly in thought about the future health of my church. But one of my members said something a couple of days ago that struck a chord. Our families had just finished dinner, and we were talking in generalities about the future of our church. She interluded, Read more [...]

Like-Minded Brothers and Sisters

February 22, 2007

I am currently involved in one of the most insincere processes in our society. Going through this process I have learned that people first look out for their own interests as opposed to others. I have also learned that the world is full of very stubborn and irrational people – myself included. I am trying to sell my townhouse. I spent a few years in the corporate world before being called to full-time ministry. It was there that I learned that “you don’t get what you deserve, you get what Read more [...]

A Plea for Unity

February 18, 2007

We’ve all heard it – technology is a double-edged sword. And there is no bigger technology breakthrough in recent years than the Internet. The Internet revolution has its great advantages, from instantaneous information dissemination to easy entertainment. But the disadvantages are prevalent as well. Our keyboards can be large megaphones reaching the far corners of the world. Email, blogs, and text messaging are all extensions of the tongue. And Scripture has some pointed words about the tongue. Read more [...]

Pastors Who Lack Interest

February 14, 2007

I’m not too big on cooking. I worked as the grill guru-master at a local wings joint for three years while in college, so I know my way around fast food. But I am certainly not a skilled chef. It is just something for which I have no passion. Being recently married, my wife and I have discovered that we must cook something in order to eat. It was a bit of a shock that first week of marriage. Neither of us is all that passionate about cooking. And this lack of interest recently showed when we tried Read more [...]

Scrambled Signals

February 8, 2007

I love my satellite radio, and I’m not exactly sure why. Perhaps it is the sheer volume of choices – like a kid in a candy store with eyes that are bigger than his stomach. You can even tune into traffic reports from halfway across the nation. Perhaps it is the transformation that has occurred in me during my daily commute – I now enjoy it. Road rage manifests itself only occasionally now. For whatever reason, the little silver box mounted to my center console has become somewhat of a catharsis. Read more [...]

Back to the Basics

February 6, 2007

I am by nature a planner. I make lists. I cross things off the list when I am done. It all makes sense in my head. My family, however, consistently pokes fun at my anal retentiveness. Maybe it is the yellow post-it note of lists that I carry on my person at all times. My wife knows the one way to drive me mad is to hide my list of things to do – they are my lifeline. I wander aimlessly through the day without them. So when it comes to vacation, I am the guy who has the spreadsheet detailing all Read more [...]

So Many Choices, Only One Truth

January 31, 2007

My associate pastor and I both have an affinity for buffets. In order to brainstorm, we need brainfood. So when we have strategy sessions, we like to go to the local Chinese restaurant. The one near our church has more than enough brainfood to satisfy this pastor. As we all know well, the good thing about a buffet is the ability to pick and choose exactly what you like. I usually go for anything deep fried with a lot of sauce. Of course, for the sake of my health I’ll dab a spoonful of fried rice Read more [...]

Don’t Fear the Golden Sombrero

January 26, 2007

I didn’t quite know how we would be received. Would people slam the door in our face? Would they even answer the door? The church I was attending was asking the members to go door-to-door around the community inviting others to join us for a new contemporary worship service. I had never been a part of such an outreach program, and I had reservations as to the success we would see. I reluctantly volunteered. The demographic and social dynamics of communities can differ greatly and require different Read more [...]