Congregation
In the on-going debate "will digital replace books?" the conclusion of many media watchers is an unequivocal Yes and No. Amazon's Kindle has really become a game-changer, delivering books within seconds of purchase via Sprint's wireless network. Problems do exist, as Jeff Jarvis points
Culture
Another newspaper closed last week and more are on the way. Print journalism is dying faster than the dinosaurs did, and for the same reasons -- the climate changed. Not the atmospheric climate, but the social climate. TV ditto, and throw in retail while you're at it. What
bless the world
I've seen an increase in readers to this blog since the fall, and I want to say two things: 1. Welcome! 2. Here's why I do this: * To be helpful. I try to offer practical, effective, and affordable ideas for small churches (and other sizes, too)
Culture
I keep getting emails announcing that I've been selected for a PhD. I wish they would send it to me because I'm actually having to study to complete my DMin at Fuller, not to mention pay the tuition. Plus, the program at Fuller can take seven
Congregation
This is my 500th post here at Confessions of a Small-Church Pastor! Amazing, isn't it? I had no idea in December, 2006, that this blog would still be going strong over two years later. But here we are and you're the reason for it. Your words
Leadership
If you could ask Andy Stanley any question about small churches, what would it be? Outreach magazine wants to give small church pastors the opportunity to ask Andy Stanley a question about small church outreach. Selected questions will be featured in Outreach magazine's annual Small Church Issue later
1 Corinthians
Here's the sermon I'm preaching tomorrow from 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. I hope your day is a wonderful Lord's Day! What's For Lunch? 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 1Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs
Culture
The prayers of a nation are with you, Mr. President. 1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and
assessing your gifts
At the end of this month, I will step down from the board of the non-profit I started four years ago. It's time for me to quit. It's time for me to turn over this organization and the community center we built to others whose gifts
Congregation
With the rise of social networks, new job titles emerge. One new job is Community Manager. CMs focus on customers and clients for large businesses. They help gather the community, encourage participation, deal with comments, and provide hospitality for the online community. All of that got me to thinking about
Creativity
Being a pastor is sometimes like herding pigs. I'm not going for the cheap joke here, although I'm sure there is one. I'm serious. Apparently pig farmers have serious difficulty getting pigs to go into the barn in an orderly fashion. Farmers can use
Leadership
When our church led the way in building the new $3-million community center in our town, we did not expect the outcome to be new members for our church. We did expect the community center to become a gathering place for the community. When we helped start the local Boys