The enemy of every church has a favorite strategy, and it’s surprisingly simple: divide and conquer. Internal division creates a potentially fatal vulnerability to our common enemy.
Category: Relationships
Discipleship as Spiritual Parenting
One of my "fathers in the Lord" used to say that every believer needs a spiritual elder, and every pastor needs a pastor. He lived that out, showing me every day that Jesus was real and that He loved me with words and actions that continue to color my walk with the Lord to this …
Wenceslas, Stephen, Boxing Day, and Gift Returns
What do a Czech duke from the 10th century, the first Christian martyr, a British public holiday, and a crazy rush to return unwanted gifts to the store... have in common? They all happen on the day after Christmas! Known for his unusual charitable lifestyle as a wealthy man, “Good King” Wenceslas went outside on …
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Relationships Matter
A pastor challenged me recently on whether it was true that new churches tended to engage more unchurched people than did older, established churches. In a study published two months ago, in fact, nearly half of the people attending new churches were non-attenders in the past. What was the most common pathway into the church? …
On Using Social Media (Part 2): 6 Essential Facebook Social Skills that Promote Relationships
Social media is evolving, but it's not disappearing. I heard a comedian announce a future merger between YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook to create a new social media: YouTwitFace. Mmm... I hope not! The changes are profound. Whether I like it or not, people are using social media to make personal anouncements and plan meetings. They …
On Using Social Media (Part 1): 7 Ways to Damage Relationships through Facebook
My original title for this blog was: using facebook to do relationships, tell your story, promote your passion--and to do it without being obnoxious and without falling into narcissism... or getting fired... or something like that. :-) But I decided that was a little long. Plus, Facebook is not the only channel in the social …
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The church needs more attitude…
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another… Romans 15:5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus… It happens more and more. My wife and I will turn to each other with the same thoughts -- and often the same …
Thanking a Father in the Lord
Six years ago I had the privilege of joining other ministerial alumni of Blue Mountain College (http://www.bmc.edu) in honoring Dr. James Travis. Retired after teaching for 36 years, Dr. Travis influenced several generations of young pastors through his faithful, enthusiastic friendship and instruction. He was the first mentor many of us had in ministry. In …
The Power of a Greeting
Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 1 Corinthians 16:20 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 2 Corinthians 13:12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 1 Thessalonians 5:26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 1 Peter 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Do you remember your …
How to “Choose Up Sides” in Church
Romans 15:7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. It's happening on playgrounds all around our country today… and it happens in churches too. Groups get ready to choose up sides and someone is chosen last. "Arrrggghhh!" as Charlie Brown used to say -- what a terrible …
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