We had about twenty new people at our newcomers event last time we ran it. But in the week afterwards, a couple of church families warned me they might be moving away for job reasons. Still, twenty new adults in, four adults out, 20-4=16 – sounds like church growth, doesn’t it? Not so fast, young Jedi.
Our church leadership is going through the process of developing a plan for the next five years, and setting some (we hope) Christ-honouring and ambitious goals for that period. We are forming task groups, and working together to produce something for this autumn. I was trying to explain it to someone this morning, and I
I can’t remember when I first heard the idea that Christian ministry is a relay race, but it’s a powerful metaphor: each generation passes the baton on to the next, and here we sit at the end of a line of faithful witnesses, passing it on yet again. It’s powerful – but I’m increasingly convinced
I’ve been preparing some talks for a short course called Growing Spiritually. It’s designed to be quite intentional in giving Christians the habits and tools they need for a life-time of Christian maturity. Let me expand that. We are going to look at reading the Bible, praying, giving and fellowship – four essential areas for
I’m not a big fan of the theory that the Bible is full of jokes. I was brought up in a church culture where Christian drama groups were all the rage, and they tried to persuade us that the man with the plank in his eye was a funny idea. It wasn’t. In the Bible,
We all get stuck trying to think creatively and clearly about a church or ministry. Imagining new stuff is hard, improving old stuff a bit easier, but staying in a rut is the default option. One exercise I use is called ‘The Rule of 10’, and it’s dead simple and really helpful. Just draw three
Today I’m saying farewell to my PA. Loyal, efficient, intelligent, discreet – she is everything I’ve ever wanted from a personal assistant. And today she’s finishing working with me, and starting a new chapter of service. I’m thrilled for her, even as I count the cost for me. As the team said our goodbyes to
‘I just teach the Bible.’, he said, glaring at me. In a tone that was slightly defiant, slightly challenging, and – if I’m honest, slightly intimidating. Slightly arrogant, too. I still bristle, years later, as I remember the direct gaze, implying that he spent all his days either with his nose in books, or preaching
This was a hard one. I like goals – clear and purposeful, with a deadline, and milestones on the way. A plan without a date is a wish – you know the kind of thing. I’ve used them for years – I mean, I’m no Michael Hyatt or John Maxwell, but I do think good
I’ve had it with the Bible being quoted at me. Or, to be more accurate, I’ve had it when I have the Bible misquoted at me. It’s not just tactless, it’s spiritually damaging, because it makes God seem to promise something which he doesn’t – and then we get angry with him for not delivering
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