The Post-Recession Ecclesiastical Economy (and what to do about it)

Four Ways to Make Kingdom Impact (Right Now!) In post-recession America, a new trend has developed: September has turned into the fourth month of summer.  I am not sure of the reason, but for the vast majority of my ministry years, the Sunday after Labor Day was when attendance and offerings suddenly bounced back (in Super

7 Misconceptions about Church (that are killing us)

I like Social Media. I really do. Over the course of a day I can keep up with huge numbers of people in the time it would take to complete a single phone call. I also like the fact that people read my stuff and listen to my sermons while I am doing other things.

Think Outside the Box this Christmas

My daughter Lydia called me a few years ago and asked what I wanted for Christmas.  I told her I either wanted a Rolex Watch or a black dress belt.  To maintain the element of surprise, she could use the same sized box for either. The reality is that I didn’t need anything at all.  I have

A Wise Man Called “Lefty” (and other dismembered things)

        When I was a kid, nativity sets were an essential part of the USAmerican Christmas-scape.  These sets were mixed and matched and passed down from generation to generation; often far more because of their sentimental value than their quality. Such transfers were not without tragedies.  I remember various and sundry accidents