Voices from the Blogosphere
No Disciples, No Mission
Having been believers and ministers for over 25 years now has given Debs and I an appreciation for just how hard it is to be an authentic follower of our Lord and Savior. To be an authentically radical disciple requires a relentless evaluation of life's priorities and concerns-together with an ongoing, rigorous, critique of our culture-to ensure we are not adopting values that subvert the very life and message we are called to live out.For true …
The Spiritual Test
We can all remember our school days when we were faced with exams. We spent all day in school-and still we panicked when it came to test time.Why? Perhaps it's because our time in the classroom was only one part of the learning process. The other part was time at home engaging with the material through homework, worksheets, and flashcards-all designed to prepare us for exams and to make sure we had a grasp of the …
And He Wins The Battle
An important observance in the life of the church will go virtually unnoticed this upcoming Saturday, eclipsed by Halloween, which has now become the second highest-grossing holiday of the year for retailers. (How sad is that? But that is a message for another day...)I am talking about Reformation Day, which is also on October 31. On this day in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the castle at Wittenburg (pronounced "Vittenburg"), …
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
CHANGE IS HAPPENING. ACTUALLY THREE WEEKS FROM TODAY IS THE DUE DATE FOR my first son. Because I was a good student in the childbirth class, I know that he could come any day. My cell phone is always on, ready to receive the call. Our bags are packed. His name is picked. The room is ready. We are embracing this wonderful change about to happen in our lives. Normally an avid reader of books on …
Provision: How Precious Did That Grace Appear
I don't think it's a coincidence that God created rain in such a fashion that it mimics the human tear.Have you ever had that moment when there's nothing left inside of you, not even a tear to shed, and at the same moment you see a drop of rain cascade down the window of your house or across the windshield of your car as you drive and you feel somehow divinely touched? This year, I've spent …
Commanders, Kings and Celebrities
Stop and reflect for a minute. Think about the way you lead people. What's your style? This past year, I have purposefully observed thousands of leaders do their thing, as I travel the road and speak in schools, companies and other organizations. I've drawn several conclusions-and some have proven to be helpful, fresh insights for me. Let me toss one of them to you here:Your motivation for leading, will determine your... * Duration - If your …
10 Keys to Leading Creative People
I've had the opportunity to lead a number of creative people over the last 15 years both in ministry and in the marketplace. And, from time to time, I've been known to be a "creative" myself. Creatives are different. They deliver new ideas and approaches, but they come with their quirks. You can't lead creatives like you lead "normal" people.Within the church, don't assume creative people only work in your worship arts area. They're likely to …
We Need Healthy Heretics
We don't tend to have a very positive image of Heretics (someone smell smoke?) However, Heretics are absolutely critical to Churches, Organizations, and Teams being all that they could be. Heretics challenge, push, turn upside down, and ask that ever annoying question of "WHY?"Heretics help us see what our success or assumptions have blinded us from seeing. They see through what we're doing or not doing to what we could do, and sometimes...what we must do. …
Praying With Expectation
One of the most valuable lessons I learned in my high school Drivers Education class was to always watch were you are going. We were taken out on the interstate.I promise you this teacher was not paid enough to take teens on the interstate in a car. We were told to briefly look to the blind spot to make sure it was clear. But do not look to long because where you look is where the …
Breaking Our Box of ‘Worship’
On the topic of music in the church, I'd like to think I have a background that gives me a voice worth consideration. With over 10 years as a professional 'Christian musician' - as bassist for the Paul Colman Trio (PC3), 'worship rockers' Sonicflood and many others - I now find myself not only singing, but also speaking to crowds about worship - what it is and what it isn't. With music the thing that has …
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