Advancing the Church
Turning Problems Into Passions
There are a lot of problems that face our world. We see them reflected in the eyes of the people we meet every day. And because there are so many overwhelming problems, we are at times, left with the feeling that there is nothing we can do.
I was in… More
4 Things We Can Do to Save Our Country Without a Government Mandate
One of the most frustrating things about being a pastor, writer, counselor, teacher, educator, whatever it is I am these days, is the widening gap between belief and behavior in this country.
We continue to hear from bad-news Barna and other sources that there is little difference between those who… More
The Single Biggest Negative Trend Overtaking the American Church
Let me say, I love the church. It is what Jesus died for. If you don’t believe that, read the book.
I am afraid and ashamed that I have done my share of church-bashing. My intention has always been to focus my comments toward that which obscures, redefines and robs… More
#1 Problem With American Christianity
I know, just the title of this blog sets me up as a target, but I think it’s worth it to tell the truth, at least from my perspective of the truth.
Christianity in America is either doing ok, really well, or near death’s door. If you read and accept… More
This is a Message to All Church Planters, Young Pastors, and All the Rest of You Bemoaning That You Have a Crappy Building
I was among a group of businessmen this morning, taking on the conversation about the economy. One of the guys in the group of 13 asked, “How much church debt is represented in this room?” And as each of these men, who are heavily involved in their churches and also… More
Anne Rice Announces She’s Leaving Christianity. I Knew That Would Happen. Did You?
As most everyone knows, Anne Rice is mega-successful author, mainly of vampire novels and the like. She made news several years ago by announcing that she had become Christian and that she would only write books that would then reflect that and honor Christ.
I wondered when I heard… More
You May Have the Right, But Are You Qualified?
As I read blogs, particularly about people who blog about spiritual and religious matters, one thing becomes crystal clear. A lot of people are talking about things they have absolutely no understanding of.
Almost unlike any other discipline in society, religion is something that so many people consider their opinion… More
When are you going to stop trying to fix this by yourself?
We are in, no doubt, perilous times. What we’re going through is a major transition of the way we do business in America.
This means that more people than usual are under financial pressures. Those financial pressures also show up in relationship strains where marriages and families enter into conflicts… More
(Part 2) The State of the American Church: The Narcissism of Minor Differences
Leadership is important; maybe I should say, critical. Or you could even use the word, vital. Anyone who wants to be effective in any endeavor has to understand the principles of leadership and get really, really, really good at them. That’s a given. We all understand that. And with that… More
The State of the American Church: The Narcissism of Minor Differences
With the coming of 2010 I’ve made a commitment to take a decidedly different turn in the focus of my future efforts. It’s a focus toward something and away from something else. Let me explain.
For 37 years, I’ve focused on the church as a movement. Leadership in particular has… More
