This week I wrote an article that went out in the weekly e-newsletter of the Lutheran Magazine. In it I discuss the sad reality that too many congregations have little sense of what they could offer and misunderstand what they do. Ask almost any well-meaning group of church members, “Why should someone come to this ...

I Am Rich (and not happy about some of the implications) I am a consultant. I work with leaders of faith-based communities all across the United States and Canada. As my wife will tell you, once on the road I pretty much live at the mercy of airline schedules and however they work out. Bad ...

I recently read an article that said the pastors who engaged in ministry outside the congregation (denominational, ecumenical, etc.) were wasting their time and that it was a huge time drain. On one level, I cringed. I am committed to eradicating lone ranger mentality and isolation for the sake of building up “my” congregation. God’s ...

“I Don’t Do Home Visits” Over the years I have heard the above words uttered way too many times. It is usually in the context of some larger statement that goes like this: “I am a missional leader. I am not a chaplain. My job is to lead the church in mission. I don’t do ...

Why So Tired? I often hear people in the church talking about being tired about this time of year. Holy Week brings a crescendo to Lent and extra work, services, sermons and the rest bring a tiredness to leaders in the church. I frequently hear someone say something like, “I can’t wait until Monday morning ...