Vision 2017: from Good to Great “Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great. We don’t have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don’t have great [churches], principally because we have good [churches]. Few people attain great lives, […]
We are the risk takers, the change makers, the Adventurers of life! Welcome to 2017! By now you should know we are on a great adventure as Christians. This means we do not shy away from challenges, we do not hunker down in fear or play the blame game. We are called, we choose, and […]
This has powerful implications for leadership. Unconsciously, the church will mimic you. This means: If you are late to meetings, your people will be late to meetings. If you don’t take notes in meetings, your people won’t take notes in meetings. If you are angry and defensive when you get negative feedback, your people will […]
I have a vision of a Generous Church… gen·er·ous 1. Liberal in giving or sharing. 2. Characterized by nobility 3. Marked by abundance; ample 2. free from pettiness in character and thought, 3. full or plentiful Generous in their praise of God and care of others. Generous with their resources to fulfill a mission that is challenging, inspiring, and […]
In the movie Gladiator, the dying emperor Marcus Aurelius, asks Maximus, Marcus: “Why are we here? Maximus: “For the glory of Rome” Marcus: “What is Rome, Maximus?” Maximus: “I have seen much of the world, and it is cold, and dark. Rome is the light.” Marcus: “Yet you have never been there!” Maximus believed in the glory […]
Charles Schulz has managed to amuse and bridge generations with his characters, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Pig Pen, and the gang. With their own special brand of charm, wit and wisdom, they challenge us to see ourselves through the lens of humor as Lucy constantly doles out unsolicited advice. You may remember the strip […]
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson As we step into the flow of God’s story, I feel there is a growing excitement that God is moving us, shaping and equipping us to live beyond the ordinary. We are, after […]
What we are most committed to both as people and as the church define who we are and what we will become. As we look to the future we must come to terms with what kind of church are we now and what kind of church we want to be. When I think about FUMC, […]
Over-Achievers: The dictionary defines an overachiever as someone who achieves success over and above the standard or expected level. The lives of overachievers are marked by an uncanny ability to achieve success despite times of uncertainty or when facing what seem to be insurmountable odds. They seem to have little or no fear of failure and […]
“…and Jesus grew in Wisdom, Stature and Favor with God and Man.” Luke 2:52 We want every child to grow up to learn the value of … Wisdom – “I need to make wise choices.” So I will… Trust and follow God’s design Spend time getting to know God Do whatever God says Discover God’s […]
“I will say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be Free!'” Isaiah 49:9 The highest aim of mission-minded people is not self-protection but self sacrifice, to empty themselves of themselves in order to be used by God and filled with the Spirit of God. They know first hand what addictions […]
Kingdom Focus “Love each other with genuine affection,and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10 The Kingdom is our true home, the place we most long to be and the place where Christ in all and through all and above all. In the Kingdom of God people experience life differently than they do in this […]
Christ Centered ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ Acts 17:28 Jesus is the starting point for our story. What came before this is insignificant compared to what comes after it. We are captivated by Christ, by His life, His message and His mission. They resonate within us and we feel […]
Week of July 3, 2011 As Christians we have an obligation to pass on those values and beliefs to the next generation. As a church I hope we can pass along to our children these key values Christ Centered / Kingdom Focused / Mission Minded. Scripture Verse Deuteronomy 6:20-25 Sermon Slides worship 07.03.11 Christian Independence […]
Thinking about critical issues for churches today, I started making a list of questions churches should be able to answer. It seems to me that all churches, regardless of size, need to be able to offer compelling responses to these questions. Here they are: Meaning: How do we see life and our place in it? […]
#15 – No one is ever challenged to radically rearrange their lives to be a part of what God is doing. #14 – God hasn’t asked you to give something up. #13 – Everyone in your church is perfect. (If you are truly reaching lost people then you will discover that ministry is messy.) #12 […]
Athletes often describe hitting a “wall” of performance. It is a barrier where no apparent amount of effort appears able to push through the pain of the moment. Athletes who hit such a barrier either surrender or they devise new understandings of the mind and disciplines of the body to help break through the barriers […]