Revitalize Your Church

MSNBC has reported that meetings make you stupid. "Group think" is less productive than pooled "solo thinking." Now, what are we to do about staff meeting??

Mark Beeson's daughter, Amber, recently shared six things she learned from her dad at her blog, Amberwire. Thanks to Church Relevance for the lead. 1. Just Keep Doing the Next Right Thing. " I don’t have to worry about everything, I just need to focus on doing the next right thing, right now, in front of me in this very minute. Then, after that decision is made, I can move on to the next right thing." 2. Attitude is Everything. 3. Strive to Live Without Regrets. Basically, you’re human, you’ll have some regrets, it’s inevitable…but you can strive to save yourself from regrets later if you think about consequences now, before you do whatever it was that you were thinking of doing. Ask yourself, “Will I regret this later?” . 4. Someone is always watching you, Looking to you, Modeling after you. 5. Have a Friend, Be a Friend. If I am friendly, people will want to be my friend. If I want to have a great friend, I need to be a great friend. 6. and last, but not least, People...

Black and white February tends to chill us to the bone. Summer joys lie torpid in thick ice. Our hopes are hybernating. Frozen in distant memory banks, spring flowers lie somewhere beneath. In cold and cloudy winter, one begins to wonder whether May will ever show her lovely face again. But she will! She will! She always does! Every spring, she springs, and sings, and brings new life. The multi-colored days, pinioned by the bitter greys, will soon burst forth in light, Winter is only temporary.

Now, we can get some of those reluctant guys into the church! (Picked this up at Mayberry Driven Church )

This morning I introduced my new handcrafted northwoods pulpit. My artist friend, Jerry Zamber, created it from trees in the woods behind his house. It has a "rustic" hand-hewn look, and is packed with meaning. There are three biblical themes woven into this sacred desk. 1. Creation: It reminds us of God's creative hand at work in our world. All things were made by Him. 2. Cross: Jesus died on the cross to redeem us. The pulpit reminds us of the price He paid on our behalf. 3. Community: Symbolized by the various supporting branches at the bottom. We really do need each other, and rely on one other for strength and support. It also speaks of John 15. "I am the Vine, you are the branches." Our cracked plexiglass podium has seen better days, and is now relegated to the basement with the other "former pulpits" of the church.

"In my opinion, any day you find yourself at the starting line for the Birkie, it’s going to be a great day indeed!" ~ Scott Smith Today's "half-a-Birkie" provided a rare opportunity for American skiers. After almost a decade of dominance, the Italians didn't get to the finish line first. The fact that they didn't show up helped substantially. Zack Simons of Utah was the first guy across the line (only the fifth American male to win since the inception of the race in 1973.) Kate Whitcomb, of Idaho was the winner in the women's field.

Australian, Wayne Field, who recently commented here, posts on a marvelous blog site for pastors: Ra'ah (Hebrew for "shepherd".) I'm including it in my blogroll, and I encourage you to pop over for a visit! It's fun to have connections on the other side of the globe. It's a small world after all.