22 and ½ Things I have Learned in 22 and ½ Years (in one place)

I am a bit over half-way through year twenty-three as the Sr. Pastor of Christ Church.   On paper, the story of Christ Church’s growth from 200 to over 2,400 seems like a modern miracle but my mind today is on the people who represent those numbers.  Especially those who have been on this journey

20 Core Values for a Long and Effective Pastoral Tenure

I wrap up my twentieth year as the Sr. Pastor of Christ Church (Fairview Heights, Illinois) on the final day of June.  We have grown every single year from just over 200 to over 2,200 in worship.  It has been a good run.   Here are twenty core values that have propelled me to two

“Secrets” of a Long and Effective Pastoral Tenure

I begin year twenty as the Sr. Pastor of Christ Church on July 1.  I as sometimes asked about the “secrets” of a long and effective ministry in one place. Don’t know that I have any great secrets, perhaps I am not that smart, but I will share some core values: 1. Remember your call. When

Thoughts on Eighteen Years (in one place)

Thoughts on Eighteen Years at Fairview Heights Christ On July 1 I was appointed by Bishop Jonathan Keaton to year eighteen at what the conference calls “Fairview Heights Christ.” We went by Christ United Methodist Church in the early years and go by Christ Church of late but to the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference