Blog (Page 17)
The View from the Other Side of the Fence – Part 2
While I have been out visiting churches it occurred to me that I am very much like someone looking for a new church home. I come to the church like a secret shopper with a checklist and an agenda. I’ve noticed that the things I am sampling are more of the objective, doctrinal, programatic part of the church. I take the temperature, measure the atmospheric pressure, and record the direction and the intensity of the wind. It’s not only like…
The View from the Other Side of the Fence – Part 1
I’ve had a couple opportunities in recent years to observe churches from a different perspective. The first was the two years I was in Springfield, Missouri attending seminary. It reminded me of when Sue and I moved to Massachusetts to start my professional career. We were like resident tourists enjoying the varied geography from the ocean of Cape Cod to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We delved into the historical events and people that were part of the formation…
Mission to Our Community
There is something amazingly powerful about extending no charge, no-strings-attached service that has no purpose other than to bless someone else. It never ceases to amaze me how profoundly people are touched by the simplest acts of genuine care and selfless service. First off, it is a clear witness to others of the grace that God has extended to us. A tangible unconditional love that not only is visible but is deeply felt. An extravagant love that was modeled by…
Wanted: Cruise Director
I’m beginning to notice something about our little band that is planting the church. Many (all right most) of us are pretty serious and quite intense as individuals. Loving, serving and living in community – not a problem. It’s just done with great purpose and intentionality. We like to have fun. It’s just that we don’t think to do that first (all right rarely). What we need is a Cruise Director, a Minister of Fun. Are there any party animals…
First Thing – Count the Cost
Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason. -Jerry Seinfeld Despite what the purveyors of the prosperity gospel say there is no escaping the New Testament reality that following Jesus is costly. Jesus said it would be. He never hid this fact and laid it out plainly to all that might follow him. The cost involves death to self and total commitment to God. The demand is all encompassing including relationships, wealth, position, possessions and life itself…
Where do we want to go?
One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. “Which road do I take?” she asked. “Where do you want to go?” was his response. “I don’t know,” Alice answered. “Then,” said the cat, “it doesn’t matter.” -Lewis Carrol, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Oh but it does matter! The cat’s question has been ever present as this thought of a church plant has been unfolding in my heart and mind. I…
Road Trip Anyone?
I’ve come to another of those forks in the road of life. BUT (whining) it’s only been a few years since we left a secure position, dear friends, and church family to follow the road to seminary. We would have been happy to travel with those folks the rest of our days but someone beckoned us down a path less traveled, less familiar, and definitely less secure. Every life can be charted by a series of turning points where decisions…