I don’t think there’s one “silver bullet,” as they say, but I think that we can be bolder about some of our worship practices. If we are willing to “go big” on some central practices, they can help us have both a strong center and an open door.
All tagged church culture
Moving Beyond the Labels!
Story after story unfolds and it becomes so abundantly clear that what makes for health and vitality is that in every new moment there is the space to look for God’s arrival and to name it!
Ex-Christian America?
For churches to flourish, the answer will lie in healthy congregational life and robust Christian formation.
Trunk or Treat, Jesus, and the Easter Santa Hunt
In short, decide what matters to your church. Then do what it takes to further that approach.
Why Effective Outreach Feels Impossible: A Parable
Simply put, we need new ways of thinking about church and outreach. We need a new imagination for what it means to be God’s people.
We Need to Tell the Rahab Jesus Story
Faith is the key, not how good we are. Rahab was not delivered because she was good, but because of her faith.
A Journey of Inclusion (Part 1)
Inclusion means that the congregation embraces the inherent value in all voices and seeks to make them an active part of the whole.
For Elders Who are Facilitating Gender Inclusion, Create a Relational Map
Build relational bridges now, with intention and sincerity.
Five Reasons the Church Should Support Recovery Groups
Twelve-step groups are not the church. And this is a great reason why the church should support them.
Believe or Belong: Which Comes First?
Rather than holding to a set of convictions that properly constitute a faithful Christian, Christianity is more about an orientation toward following Jesus Christ.
Are the Doors of Your Church Open?
We need to be very honest with ourselves. There are so many people who consider coming through the doors of our churches but choose to keep on walking.
Jesus, TED Talks, and Conversation
I love TED Talks. These short, informative and often witty lectures allow me to peek into the professional world of some highly influential and inspiring thinkers of our day.
Going to Church on Christmas
Christmas on Sunday puts church leaders in a Solomon-type predicament where we fear our only option is to make people decide between Christmas at home or keeping their commitment to church worship.
Gaining Perspective
With perspective we gain the insight that what is old was once new; what is new will one day be old. However, Christ is still Christ; he always has been and always will be.
A Different Style of Prophetic Preaching
I have noticed a trend toward equating "prophetic preaching" with a confrontational, rough and tough style of delivery.
Fast Lane Flocks and Cyber-World Shepherds
Harold and his flock live in the express lane of a cyber-world, not in some serene pasture--and yet he longs to be a biblical shepherd.