When children try to dress like their parents, it’s often cute. When teenagers try to emulate rock stars, it’s often bizarre. When adults try to imitate their folk heroes, it’s often embarrassing. Ever since the mass media (my company included) began enabling fame for ministry leaders, adoring church people have scurried to emulate their heroes. […]
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How to Silence Your People
April 24, 2013 
8 Comments
“Pastors, preach the word boldly and shut the mouths of your listeners!” That was an actual comment from a pastor in response to one of my blog posts. My article encouraged pastors to enhance their preaching with effective communication techniques–such as those that Jesus used. These include listening to your people, and encouraging people’s questions […]
Read more The Idols of Sunday Morning
March 20, 2013 16 Comments
They cheered when the band walked on stage. Without prompting, the fans sprang to their feet. I watched from the back of this large, high-profile church as the Sunday morning service unfolded. The professional musicians performed with precision. Their sound was flawless. Their attractive faces were projected larger than life on the huge overhead screens. […]
Read more You’re Not Called to Preach
March 6, 2013 13 Comments
The young man was puzzled. He heard me and other panel members cite the inherent limitations of regular lectures and sermons. After we encouraged the audience to insert some experiential elements into their teaching, he raised his hand. “But what about the biblical mandate to preach?” he asked. Now I was puzzled. First, I wondered […]
Read more 4 Ways Not to Be a Ministry Goon on Social Media
December 19, 2012 4 Comments
It’s sometimes amusing–and sometimes just painful–to see how ministers use technology. With the proliferation of social media such as Twitter and Facebook, many people in ministry devote loads of time spraying cyberspace with their words and pictures. Used well, social media involvement can enhance ministry and help to connect with people. Used poorly, these attempts […]
Read more The Perfect Length for a Sermon
December 12, 2012 21 Comments
A denominational executive recently chided pastors in his tribe for inflicting “spiritual starvation” on their flocks. The crime? Brief sermons. After skimming a sermon on a pastor’s blog, the denom leader wrote: “It could not have been more than eight minutes long, if that! This is, sadly, not some exception. It is in keeping with […]
Read more Tackle Touchy Topics — and Survive
October 17, 2012 5 Comments
The planned discussion on same-sex marriage really riled him up. He feared the forum might attract “seekers” and lead them astray. He contacted his pastor and asked, “Why are we exposing unbelievers with no biblical backing to the worst of false doctrine?” Though this man never attended any of the discussions on controversial topics, he […]
Read more Missing the Guy in the Empty Chair
September 26, 2012 11 Comments
We’re producing a generation of spiritual dwarfs. Many in the church are going through the motions, but their faith lacks vibrancy, exuberance, life and contagion. They may be saying the right stuff. Doing the right stuff. But missing the main thing. Yesterday I met a man who gets it. He introduced me to an empty […]
Read more Sunday Morning Fantasies
September 19, 2012 25 Comments
Bear with me as I fantasize. About Sunday morning. At church. The worship leader begins the service with: “Everybody please be seated. I don’t know why I’ve asked you to stand every time we sing. But whatever the reason, I realized it’s become just another cliche´. So please be seated.” The pastor begins the sermon–and […]
Read more “We Write All Our Own Stuff”
September 5, 2012 10 Comments
It seems to have become a badge of honor. “We don’t use any outside resources.” Some people in ministry have decided to go it alone. They now spend a sizable chunk of their time creating their own curriculum, Bible studies, teacher guides, devotionals, messages, music, video and artwork. I’ve heard a variety of reasons for […]
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Why Church Doesn’t Fit Most People
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Church Abusing Kids with Root Beer
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Why People Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore
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Acts of a Suicidal Church
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Sunday Morning Fantasies
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9 Ways to Me-Too Your Ministry Heroes
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“Life Change Happens in Circles, Not in Rows.” Are You Kidding Me?
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To Become the Best Church in Town
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How to Silence Your People
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Why the Easter Christians Won’t Be Back
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drwayman: Wearing a golf shirt or hawaiian shirt when you pr...
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descriptivegrace: Churches can’t survive because they can’t figu...
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Joan: "Preachers" who wave the Bible in the air. Why do ...
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Rocky: What's up with all the "big beards" I see on youth...
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Sherry: Music that is so loud that anyone who has not alre...
