Shockingly… I saw #ChristmasWishList on Twitter several times yesterday!! It’s only August! The hairs on the back of my neck rose. My heart started to race… How did Christmas become so stressful? As a follower of Jesus, I long for Christmas to focus on His birth. I love the worship celebrations and fellowship that honor the…
missional
Want to take the $5 Food Challenge?
Last month, several staff members and leaders in our church lived on a food budget of $5 per person per day. A food challenge. WHY?? We committed to live on a food stamp budget for five days in order to better understand one aspect of poverty in America: the struggle to obtain adequate food. While…
How Microloans Change Lives
Microloans are changing the world… one person at a time. In September 2011, Pastor Rob gave cash in envelopes as part of the sermon. Rob challenged us to go out and use the money for God’s Kingdom. No more guidance or restrictions given. Combining our envelope money, our family received $30. We discussed what to…
Is Your Faith at Work, too?
Ever thought of your work as worship? Your faith at work offers amazing kingdom opportunities. http://youtu.be/m06DYIAeCtU We are called to serve Christ with all of our life. Living a missional life?? Here is a visual creation of such a life: Are you a trader? Faith at Work It is possible. How do you show your faith? Posted…
Sent
Choose one word to be your theme for the year. This seemingly simple challenge, from Amy in her recent blog, sent my mind off in search of a word to describe my hopes and passions for this year. I reflected on my recent past. Pondered my responsibilities at work and home. Glanced the books stacked…
What is the best way to share the Gospel?
Books, booklets, eBooks, audio books, tracts, curriculum, and dvds exist to teach us how to “share the gospel.” So, which one is the right way to share the gospel message? How do I best tell the story of Jesus Christ? To find the answer, let’s start at the very beginning…to the one who delivered the…
The Story of a Christmas Party
I recent came upon a compelling story… A family decided to splurge on a massive birthday party for their soon to be one-year-old child. They invited all their neighbors, friends from work, and family members. They cleaned, straightened, decorated and baked for many days leading up to the party. Many people rsvp’d and everyone was…
How to be Effective in the Now
Does so much race through your mind … events to plan, people to meet, meetings to schedule, goals to manage that you are not able to enjoy this moment? Do the abundant (and good) opportunities pull at every corner of your life? Do you plan for the vacation, sports tournament, family reunion, mission project… then…
Who to Help?
You are a student ministry pastor. You want to reach out to the youth in your community. Where to start?? The needs are abundant! Time is short. Through social media and other conversations, we learn about the joys and struggles in the lives of our students and their friends. Early in my years of ministry,…
Lemonade Stand as Missional Plumb Line
I eyeballed the clock…time to go. A gentle afternoon breeze greeted me as I walked to the car. Hardly a cloud in the sky. Lovely. Not three blocks into my journey to the meeting, I spied a little table, two little chairs, two little children, and a really big pitcher of lemonade. I glanced at…
