2018
What‘s the best church size?
Some church growth proponents might argue that, whatever your size, “just a little bigger” would be better.
Many house church attenders would propose that smaller is better.
There are followers of John Wesley’s Rule of 150 who ...
This generation wants to honor its elders and be mentored by them.
That may not feel like it’s true – especially if you, like me, are old enough to qualify for AARP membership. But I assure you it is.
I know this because I see it all the time. Youth, both in and outside ...
The title of today’s post is based on a question that I read in a Facebook group for pastors.
While I seldom take such discussions into a public forum like this, I think this question is important enough to answer here. So here’s the longer version of what was asked: ...
This summer, in county fairs all over America, people will flock to see tribute bands.
With names like Unforgettable Fire (U2), The Fab Four (Beatles), Heartache Tonight (Eagles), and Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd), they can give us a fun evening, seeing a band that looks and plays ...
The church belongs to Jesus.
It is not owned by its denomination, its donors, its members, its staff or its lead pastor.
Jesus said he would build his church – and he’s not about to give up that ownership to us or our ideas.
As a pastor, this is a lesson I need to remind ...
Conflict is inevitable. Even in a healthy marriage, family and church.
Like healthy marriages and families, healthy churches don’t avoid conflict, but they deal with it well.
I’ve been in pastoral ministry for more than 35 years. In the early days, I dealt with more ...
If you’re a control freak, I have one word of advice.
Don’t become the pastor of a small church. (Actually, I’d advise you not to pastor any church. We have enough control freaks in the pulpit already.)
It’s a common misperception that the smaller a church ...
What’s wrong with today’s younger generations?
I hear that question all the time. Especially from my fellow Baby Boomers.
The quick answer?
Nothing.
Nothing is wrong with the current and upcoming generations that hasn’t been wrong with every previous generation. ...
The internet is a great place for debate. I love throwing ideas out there, stirring up interest and reading other passionate opinions.
But the anonymity of the internet also has a way of turning mean people loose. And that stifles, sometimes kills, the opportunity for healthy, ...
The Bible has never been more popular.
It’s everywhere. From our bookshelves, to our laptops, phones, e-readers and audio books.
Virtually anyone can gain instant access to the Bible in multiple languages and translations, including the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. ...
Some of the strongest statements are made in the simplest ways.
This is true of leadership. Especially Christian leadership. People will learn more from what we do than what we say.
For instance, if we are going to teach and preach against greed and pride, we need to live a life ...
There are a lot of voices yelling at us.
Stop that! Buy this! Do it now!
And it’s all accelerated by the device you’re currently using.
In such a loud, hurried world, it’s tempting to think that the only way to get our message and our ministry heard is to raise ...
Celebrating small churches is great.
Doing it by putting down our brothers and sisters who attend, worship, serve and lead in larger churches?
That’s just wrong.
But it keeps happening.
Because I love and promote the value of small churches, well-meaning people keep coming ...
For over 25 years I’ve lived and pastored in Orange County, California.
In the last 50 years this county has experienced as much megachurch success as anywhere else on earth. We’ve given birth to the Crystal Cathedral, Calvary Chapel, The Vineyard, TBN, Saddleback ...
One of the biggest frustrations faced by small church pastors is a lack of resources, including so-called human resources. “If only I had more money, a better building, more people or the right people” we complain, “then we could really get something done at ...