Revitalize Your Church

"The whole cause of our ministry mut be carried on in a tender love for our people.  We must let them see that nothing pleases us more than what profits them.  We should show them that what does them good does us good also.  We should feel that nothing treoubles us more than what hurts them." -- Richard Baxter of Kidderminster

I devoured Gabe Lyons' book, The Next Christians: Seven Ways You Can Live the Gospel and Restore the World in two days.  An engaging text that describes an appealing, wholehearted approach to faith and mission.  Lyons describes what I believe about how Christians should engage culture. Instead of hunkering down in holy huddles, shaking fists in the fight for faith, or weak capitulation to culture, Lyons advocates another way -- the way modeled by Jesus -- bringing transformation through authenticity, understanding, integrity and love. The "Next Christians", as Lyons calls them, follow the Restoration path rather than Separatist (via fighting or fleeing) or Cultural (via capitulation or appeasement) Christianity.  This rising generation of believers brings a refreshing perspective.  While expressing their faith in genuine, practical ways, they are willing to face the world head-on, filled with compassion, and courageous ...

Frank Viola shares five reasons why he gave up striving to live the Christian life for Lent.

After several attempts at hold a District Board Meeting via Skype last evening, we gave up and went back to the land lines.  One malfunctioning computer brought too much static to the meeting, and we couldn't understand each other. Reflecting this morning, I think that's true of all meetings. One person, with a critical spirit, carries static that can shut down the entire communication process

“If you jump in the ring with 12 clowns to speak seriously, you won't be taken seriously, you will merely be considered the thirteenth clown.”  --  Keith Drury. For a few more witty maxims, check out his Tuesday Tweets.

One person with passion and conviction can accomplish more than one hundred with mere interest. You have to dream it in order to achieve it. Nothing can take the place of hard work - but smart work makes hard work go a lot further. All true leaders are readers. If you read a lot, you will automatically grow. Reaching a goal loses its fulfillment if you have to run over people in the process. People are more important than processes. Intentions never get the job done. Imitations never get the job done either. Jobs don't finish themselves. You have to finish the job! The joy is multiplied when you accomplish the dream as a team. It's amazing what can be achieved if you don't care who gets the credit. Sometimes plans should change - but not values. Write you plans in sand and your values in cement. You can accomplish a lot more than you think. Small changes make a big difference through the power of compound interest! If you never risk anything, you will never accomplish anyth...