Pastor Tom's Community

The Shoestring Conspiracy – Ministry Ideas

  • Now Is the Time! Recession Is No Excuse for Recess!

    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… Continue reading

  • Urban-Suburban Church Partnerships

        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… Continue reading

  • Big Rocks

    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… Continue reading

  • Promotion

    Lately, I have posted some messages that might be largely considered promotional in nature – meaning, "to move something forward." The specific etymology is: promotion 1429, "advancement," from O.Fr. promotion (14c.), from L. promotionem, noun of action from promovere (see… Continue reading

  • Don’t Pan the Plan

    There is a seemingly disingenuous urge on the part of practitioners of spiritual things to shun strategic planning as something outside the realm of the Spirit. It is as if we do not believe God cannot enter into the process… Continue reading

  • Vanishing Leadership

    It is one of the tasks of a great leader to vanish. There are many leadership skills involving our hands: the hand up, the extended hand, the hands on demonstration,  the hand on the shoulder and the hand off. That’s… Continue reading

  • How to Make Someone’s Day!

    Let me start by saying that if you chose to open this posting and read it, that is a good sign that you are on the right track and your heart is in the right place. You have already moved… Continue reading

  • Wheel Witness

    Here is an interesting approach to bringing the message that … Jesus Loves You! Continue reading

  • What Counts?

    What Counts? What you count is an alert to what counts in your life and work. If you are in ministry and you value people, you will count people. If you are in business, you will count contacts, activities, and… Continue reading

  • Working Pastors

    I have just launched a new blogging initiative to support and encourage bi-vocational pastors, church planters, and others who are called to Christian vocation. It is called Working Pastors and is a companion to this site. I have similar blog… Continue reading