On January 1, 2012, we are going to stop “Playing Church!” I know of at least one Council member who doesn’t particularly care for the title. That’s understandable. Often, when we characterize people as “playing church,” we mean that we don’t think they are taking their faith and the cost of discipleship seriously enough. In other [...]
I know it may not seem like it, but there are times when I can not bring everything to church in the message that I would like to bring. Yesterday was one of those days. While researching for the message, I came across a poem by John Piper on Hosea and Gomer in their later [...]
It’s late on Saturday, March 19. Within the next 14 hours or so, I plan to head out to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin for a retreat at The Cedarly from the Pastor’s Retreat Network. I will be on a “media fast” while I am there, so I will be unavailable except for emergencies. On Monday, March 28, I will return [...]
By now, most of you reading this know that I am taking a 12-week leave of absence. I partially explained the reason behind that on Sunday when I announced it during our morning worship. Since not everyone was there on Sunday and since some might want more of an idea of what I’m going to [...]
“In 1864 Jules Verne published ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth,’ the charming narrative of the adventures of a party of three…who have lowered themselves into an extinct volcanic crater.” Their goal? To reach the center of the earth. (You can find the book at Amazon.com…or your local library.) A journey to the center [...]
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. At Bethel, we have a tradition of gathering together on Thanksgiving Day (9:30 am) for a time of singing, prayer and reflection. By gathering together on Thanksgiving: we take time to give thanks to God, the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17); we open our eyes to see [...]
I have a hard time thinking ahead – especially in the summer. But I am regularly encouraged to do so because when I/we think and plan ahead, good things can result! The Segue Team (planning, implementing and overseeing the budding small group ministry) is recommending that we as a church go through a series of [...]
Grant requests Coaching for Congregations Coaching for Pastors Health and Renewal Technology Finances Lack of clarity on where we’re at Unclear lines of responsibility – who decides where money is spent and when? Reimbursement system Jody Rice opened our meeting reading from Psalm 62. The Elders and Deacons then went into their districts to spend [...]
All right, so this past Sunday was fun for me. It’s true. I’ll have to get around to publishing the video so that any of you who were not there can see Jason’s masterpiece – especially important because it expresses so nicely my heart as well. I’ve joined another team as well. You can find [...]
On Sunday, worship will still begin at 10:30 am and Sunday School at 9:30 am. There’s just one problem: all of the Sunday School teachers and helpers have been given the day off. So, what’s going to happen with all of the participants. Good question! You won’t find the answer to this good question at [...]
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