Ministry
-
“Jesus wept.” (Gospel of John 11:35) Two words. No explanation. No correction. No immediate miracle. At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus pauses long enough to enter the grief of those He loves. Before resurrection is commanded, sorrow is honored. This moment reveals something essential about ministry: compassion is not a delay of God’s work—it is…
-
Contrary to the human tendency toward flight in times of danger, these are days for entrepreneurs to venture forth into the unknown and strut their creative stuff. The time is right for new ideas, for niche thinking, and for bold initiatives by men and women who will not be ruled by fear or passing circumstance.…
-
Photo Credit: Fast Company It was good to be in a meeting tonight where we were discussing the challenges faced by urban churches among our association of denominational congregations and other fellowships ministering in under-resourced settings with inner city challenges. The issue of partnerships between urban and suburban congregations could easily slide into…
-
In "First Things First," Stephen Covey tells a story that was told him. I don’t know the sources, so I will embellish a bit. There was a speaker who was called upon to address a group of young people. As a prop, he pulled out a wide-mouth gallon jar and placed it next to a…
-
I have been applying the 15 Minute Challenge to my health in several dimensions. Along with the major changes in my life it had started to become apparent to me that I needed to do something about my body’s condition or (A) die young or (B) become an invalid. (B) sounded worse than (A) and…
-
I am presently engaged in a challenge with the folks in my church. I asked them and myself to identify 4 areeas of their lives where they really needed to work. All dimensions of life were legitimate areas of concern. I then asked them for an hour a day in 4 – 15 minute slots…
-
Here is a dilemma: You don't have large enough blocks of time to focus on your big projects. Everything is chopped up with what we have called cracks in time available. The cracks seem to small to allow accomplishments. On the other hand, you work so hard that when you get the big blocks, you are weary…
Pastor Tom's Community 