Creativity
Over at Harvard Business's online blog, Umair Haque launches a blistering attack on Wonga, a UK payday lender that charges 2,689% annual interest! In other words, a $100 loan paid back a year later will cost the borrower $2,689. Incredibly, Haque points out that three venture
Genesis
Seven Cultural Challenges Every Church Faces: Secularism -- Why Don't People Go To Church Anymore? Today I am beginning a new sermon series titled, Seven Cultural Challenges Every Church Faces. During the next two months, we will examine the seven cultural challenges that I believe we must face
Congregation
In a National Association of Evangelicals survey from May, NAE board members polled were pessimistic about the growth of churches in the U.S.. However, according to the NAE website, there was overall optimism that Christianity would grow worldwide, but that growth would primarily occur Africa, South America, Asia, and
Community
I'm trying to do more with video, so here's a quick under-4-minute clip about what and how we're doing our community VBS this year. This will not win an Emmy, but maybe you'll get some useful ideas. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/
Congregation
Peter Steinke has written a helpful book, Congregational Leadership In Anxious Times. Steinke subtitled his book, Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What. Good advice for these anxious times. In my presentation to small church pastors at The Cove last week, I borrowed Steinke's "13 Triggers for
Leadership
Debbie and I are at The Cove this week. Today I led "Keys To Thriving in the Smaller Church" during two sessions this afternoon. I was told that we had the highest attendance of any of the afternoon seminars, which was great! Lots of small church pastors here
Acts
I'm at The Cove in Asheville, North Carolina for the next three days. This is the first Billy Graham School of Evangelism for 2009, and I'll lead "Keys to Thriving in the Smaller Church" tomorrow afternoon. But tonight we feasted on the preaching of
Resources
When I made the announcement a couple of weeks ago that I would only review books I had purchased myself, I forgot I had one more review copy on the way -- Bart Ehrman's Jesus, Interrupted. But, to keep faith with my promise, I am donating the Amazon
Resources
Sorry to be away so long this week, but it's been a busy week. I'm leading two seminars at The Cove near Asheville, North Carolina next week for the May 11-13 School of Evangelism. If you're going to The Cove, I look forward to
Resources
I am announcing a new policy to which the staff of Confessions of a Small-Church Pastor will immediately adhere. Okay, I'm the only staff there is, so I am the one immediately adhering. Drum roll, please! Okay, here it is: I will no longer review free books on
Leadership
I'm leading the Small Church Idea Forum at the National Outreach Convention 2009 in San Diego, CA on November 4-7, 2009. The NOC09 blog tour is stopping by today to leave some questions in the comment section. Click on the tiny number beside the "quote balloon"
Culture
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qADxEspNE-Q&hl=en&fs=1] Please watch this 2-minute video produced by HarperOne to promote Bart Ehrman's new book, Jesus, Interrupted. Erhman is the author of Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why, and God&