How to Close the Feedback Loop and Improve Your Message

“Great job pastor. Your message really hit the spot for me.”  Sixty-nine percent of pastors spend between ten and eighteen hours studying for their message on a weekly basis. Thirty-four percent of new guests return to a church as a direct result of a message they heard. In his post on why people don’t come…

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Sometimes You Just Need to Break

Right now (Tuesday AM) my step-mom is on the operating table. She’s having surgery on her carotid artery that is 70% blocked. She had a stroke on New Year’s Day and I have to tell you, it all just sucks right now. I don’t know how she will pull through, what life will be like…

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Why I’m “Meh” on Student Ministry Right Now

Student Ministry is no longer the Ronco Rottiserie: You can’t just set it and forget it; It takes work.  I was in student ministry for sixteen years. I have been an intern, a resident, an associate student pastor and the lead student pastor, with experience leading both small rural and large metro ministries. I have…

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How I’m Creating and Maintaining Margin with My Finances

The only people who don’t like to talk money are those that don’t give.  We talk about money a lot in our home. We do this because we want our kids to succeed in life when they are out from under our care and on their own. We also do this because money can ruin…

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How I’m Creating and Maintaining Margin in My Relationships

“You know, you can trim the fat, right?” “Bro; I’m a vegan.” And that right there defines the issue: How can I continue in a relationship when there just isn’t a fit? There are times and places where we need to be friends for a moment, perhaps even longer, but no one needs to be…

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How I’m Creating and Maintaining Margin with My Time

Time is the only thing we can’t get back once it is gone.  How are you feeling: are you feeling refreshed, energized, empowered to make a difference in the world? Are are you dragging with a longing desire to stay in bed all day because you just keep hitting that wall?  I have a lot…

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