Navigating the Technology Issue
Technology has opened up a brave new world in human information sharing and communication. It has impacted education in tremendous ways. Students can go to the Internet and get volumes of information their parents and grandparents only dreamed of having available to them. Telephones are not far away from being a chip that is permanently […]
The High Points in Congregational Ministry
What are some of the high points in congregational ministry for your pastor and other staff ministers? Baptism of a new believer is certainly one of these. People committing their lives to vocational Christian service is another. Young families with children joining the church is always a time of joy. Even a funeral that celebrates […]
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is an annual event in many congregations. It is a time that typically the largest number of children are present in a church activity as any time during the year. It is an extremely important time to touch the lives of children with the unconditional love of Jesus, and to educate and […]
An Upside to Social Media
While social media is – at its best – a wonderful way to communicate with family, friends, and acquaintances, it also puts a lot of things out there in the world for everyone to see, read, and respond. Even people who love sharing on social media can at times become paranoid about what is out […]
What Type of Volunteer Are You?
Once upon a time in church life, when a general call was issued for volunteers for a certain event or for a commitment for a year, people would come forward with gladness. This is not a fairy tale. It was true. It even still happens in some churches. In the vast majority of churches it […]
A Call to Deeper Faith
On the way home from church one Sunday a little girl asks her parents what it means to “fast.” The pastor that day had called on everyone to “fast” one day a week for an upcoming month as the church prayerfully considers a crucial decision in the life and ministry of the congregation. Upon hearing […]
Gifting Among Ministers
Earlier this month we shared the same “wordle” you see here. At that time we asked you about the number of different hats your pastor and other ministers among you may have to wear to meet your expectations. Now we want to ask a slightly different question. Is your pastor and other ministers required to […]
Circus and Monkeys
We would all hope that no pastor or other staff minister ever considers their church to be a “circus” and the members and attendees to be “monkeys,” but we can suspect that at times life in a congregation can be crazy and ministers are tempted to at least think things like this. What are you […]
Do You Peek?
Okay, admit it. Have you ever looked when the pastor says, “With every head bowed and every eye closed?” The pastor is looking. Why shouldn’t you? If your church has a security team, do you hope they are looking? Have you ever raised your hand or stood up when the pastor asks for every head […]
Student Minister Appreciation
One of the most important ministry roles in a congregation is the leader of the youth or student ministry. In the vast majority of congregations, this is a volunteer position. Whether a paid vocational or a volunteer position, these leaders have a responsibility to help teenagers navigate the complex journey from childhood to adulthood. Youth […]