It was one year ago, May 6, 2023, that Prince Charles III of England was crowned King Charles (though he had acceded to the throne the previous September 22, when his mother, Queen Elizabeth, passed). Charles had been waiting for that moment for a long time. When his mother became queen, Charles was 4 yearsContinue reading “I just can’t wait to be king – 1st Samuel 8-10, Preview”
Tag Archives: leadership
The arrogance of Israel’s super weapon – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 3
After a stinging defeat at the hands of the Philistines, the elders of Israel have a plan to strike back. It’s their secret super weapon. Why they didn’t bring out the weapon in the first place, we don’t know. But now they do, and the super weapon has a profound effect on the Philistines. Let’sContinue reading “The arrogance of Israel’s super weapon – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 3”
Are our lives so noisy we cannot hear the voice of God? – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 1
Microsoft has the Guinness World Record for the quietest room. It is located at their headquarters in Redmond, Washington. It is so quiet that people are said to only be able to stand a few hours in it. They first hear their heart beating. Eventually they can hear their blood flowing and bones moving. Eerie.Continue reading “Are our lives so noisy we cannot hear the voice of God? – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 1”
Delegation is discipleship that builds up the church – Caring for one another, Part 4
Though I’m a leader, I sometimes struggle with delegation, as there are times when I think it will be so much easier and faster if I just handle whatever matter is before me. Getting others involved takes time, and they might not do the work like I think it should be done. Maybe you knowContinue reading “Delegation is discipleship that builds up the church – Caring for one another, Part 4”
Why I decided to cancel our church’s weekly prayer meeting, and why I told people I would not start it back up – Praying together, Preview
When I started as Faith Church’s Youth/Associate Pastor in 2002, Faith Church held weekly Sunday morning worship, Sunday evening worship and Wednesday prayer meeting. A few years later the Sunday evening service had dwindled to the point where maybe a handful of people attended, and we canceled it. At that time Wednesday prayer meeting wasContinue reading “Why I decided to cancel our church’s weekly prayer meeting, and why I told people I would not start it back up – Praying together, Preview”
When we can and should judge in a church family – Holding others accountable, Part 3
In 2013 my congregation’s leaders proposed a significant change to who could become leaders in the church. Prior to 2013, we had a system where, at our annual congregational meeting, people were voted onto our various serve teams. Then at the beginning of the year, at the first serve team meeting, the members of theContinue reading “When we can and should judge in a church family – Holding others accountable, Part 3”
How judging killed a discipleship effort in the local church – Holding others accountable, Part 2
Over the years in my church family, people have raised the concern about Jesus’ teaching, “Do not judge” on more than one occasion. “Who are we to judge one another,” people say. It sounds very spiritual. But I think they are interpreting Jesus incorrectly. The first occasion people raised the concern about judging was probably 20Continue reading “How judging killed a discipleship effort in the local church – Holding others accountable, Part 2”
An axiom to help Christians think about how to meet together – Meeting together, Part 1
As we learned in the preview post, the last 25-35 years, 40 million adult Americans in all religious traditions, left their houses of worship.[1] This does not include people who attend church infrequently. If they attend on Christmas and Easter, they are not counted in these numbers. 40 million totally gone. Of the 40 million,Continue reading “An axiom to help Christians think about how to meet together – Meeting together, Part 1”
Why followers of Jesus go lower and lower to serve – John 13:1-17, Part 5
All week long, we’ve been studying the famous story in which Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. Why did he do it? Jesus explains why in John 13, verses 12-17. “When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?”Continue reading “Why followers of Jesus go lower and lower to serve – John 13:1-17, Part 5”
How to lead with love – John 13:1-17, Part 2
In the previous post, we learned that Jesus leads with love. Now we learn how he did so. Look at John 13, verses 2-5. “The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under hisContinue reading “How to lead with love – John 13:1-17, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 