Categories
annual conference leadership

Mission and Vision: Annual Conference and Denomination (2 of 3)

Like a local church, an annual conference and denomination with a mission (Why do we exist?) and a vision (Where are we going?) are more likely to contain vital congregations. The clarity of purpose and direction helps shape the life of the community in both subtle and significant ways. The United Methodist Church has a […]

Categories
church leadership

Mission and Vision: Local Church (1 of 3)

A local church with a mission (Why do we exist?) and a vision (Where are we going?) is more likely to be a vital congregation. The clarity of purpose and direction helps shape the life of the congregation in both subtle and significant ways. With the lack of a clear statement that people can remember […]

Categories
Bible

Scripture Monday – Psalm 19:14

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14, NIV). These words are very familiar to me. I remember hearing them before every Sunday sermon that my Dad preached. I do not remember wondering about their origin while I was growing […]

Categories
leadership ministry united methodist church

Beginning A New Appointive Year – My Sixth

Today I officially begin my sixth year under appointment as a pastor in The United Methodist Church. I have served in two roles as an associate pastor at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. 2006 – The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection July 1, 2006 – Pastor of Congregational Care: Caring for those […]

Categories
church leadership ministry

Should I Change Churches?

I recently read How to Choose a Church by Bruce Reyes-Chow and wanted to take time to share with you some of the things that I share with people considering either leaving Resurrection for another church or beginning to attend Resurrection from another church. It really matter to me whether you attend Resurrection or not. […]

Categories
changing lives transforming the community

Can a Pastor Build a Friendship with a Congregant?

I hope to build deep social connections with others. I know that deep friendships have a great deal of positive benefit in my life. Friends are people with whom I can share encouragement, accountability, fun, conversation, support and a wide variety of interactions. As a pastor, there are times when I feel the distinction when […]

Categories
communications leadership ministry

Vision Questions for Resurrection Online

I have recently been asking those who regularly worship with Resurrection Online questions about vision. Here they are: What is Resurrection Online? Why does it matter to people? Where do you think it is going now? Where do you think it should be going? I have received some interesting and insightful responses. How might these […]

Categories
leadership ministry renewing the church

6 Options for Church Online

I have been working on the next steps for Resurrection Online and in the proces have developed 6 options for church online that might be helpful for you. Will you please share your thoughts feelings or opinions about these options? What is most helpful? What could be improved? Option 1 – Regional Campus A regional […]

Categories
Bible changing lives

Scripture Monday – 1 John 4:10-11

10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:10-11, NIV). I don’t have much of a question about these verses. They are a beautiful […]

Categories
communications fun ministry

The Preacher Your Preacher Could Preach Like

I first heard about this fantastic video from this update: http://twitter.com/#!/revsteven/statuses/54370585312100352 Here it is – The Preacher Your Preacher Could Preach Like: Likely, inspired by: Thank you to everyone involved!

Categories
Bible ministry

Scripture Monday – Luke 10:17

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. … The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name” (Luke 10:1, 17). The seventy-two returned to Jesus with joy. Their […]

Categories
Bible

Scripture Monday – 2 Kings 10:15

John Wesley either quotes this passage or something very similar is attributed to him. Can you help clarify for me? 2 Kings 10:15 “After he left there, he came upon Jehonadab son of Rekab, who was on his way to meet him. Jehu greeted him and said, “Are you in accord with me, as I […]