Five Dangerous Faults
Yesterday I started reading Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" which is from the 6th century BC. I have wanted to read it for some time, but it is not my typical genre. I am half way throu…
Topic: Leadership
Methods of Personal Evangelism
I mentioned in the service that I would post some how to methods for leading a person to faith in Christ. ABC’s / Romans Road a. Admit Romans 3:23 ( ESV ) 23 for all have sinned an…
The Church Advances as the World Retreats
One of the things that is obvious in almost every segment of society is the new value of security against global economic collapse . The papers and news channels are full of storie…
No Business Being Here!
I once attended a meeting where there was no meeting. Now before you jump to conclusions, most of those in the meeting thought that the point of the meeting was meeting. There was …
Swarm Theory and Church
Scientists have been studying swarm theory for many years, and today I came across this article dealing with how they are now applying that same theory to human behavior. I want to…
3H
No, I am not talking about some knock off farming club for kids, or the pro wrestler HHH, or the gas guzzling SUV. The three H's refer to how I approach my preaching. Around 3 this…
The Deconstructionist's Ethic
I am having a conversation right now about some fundamental changes occurring in fundamentalism. I am not ready to go public with the story because I believe it to be at a very sen…
I have no use for "Volunteers"
I met a friend for prayer yesterday. Church is exciting, plans in the works, good things happening, praises abound. Then with exasperation he mentioned his prayer request, I have a…
Andy Stanley's 3 keys for Sermoneering
Years ago, Andy Stanley spoke at the C3 conference at Fellowship Church and while I did not attend, I did order the CD's and these three rules for delivering messages have changed …
Elevate!
You heard it here first. Our theme for 2008 will be "Elevate!" It is our goal this year to take our church to the next level of effectiveness. In order to accomplish this we will s…
Soul Winning
· I grew up in a tradition of soul winners. We would go soul winning every Thursday night and Saturday. Sometimes we would go and stand in front of the movie theater and pass out p…
Missional Fatigue
I read this from Ed Crepes today and thought it applied to us at Cornerstone. What are your thoughts? When I visit casual contemporary and traditional churches these days I’m meeti…
When did Macaroni become pasta?
I receive an email subscription from this guy and he poses the question about when macaroni became pasta. What a great question. While eating at TGI Fridays a couple of months ago …
Watermelooza Schmooza
What a fun event. Everyone was so helpful, from Extreme Jumpers who provided the water slide, to Larry the HOA president of Westridge subdivision who hosted the event. We were able…
Dealing with Departures
Today I will be preaching to a group of preachers. It is a bit intimidating for a young pastor to address such a audience, but God's Word will do all the teaching, all I have to do…
No Staff Meeting Today!
Tuesdays are our usual day for staff meeting and I canceled it for today. We meet religiously, well as religiously as a bunch of Baptists can, every Tuesday. In staff meeting we wi…
thoughts on pastoral transition
I've not blogged much this week, and for that I am sorry. But I am working on a message for a pastor's meeting coming up and thought I would take one of the rabbit trails that I ho…
Hello my name is Joel and it is my first time
While on vacation I attended my sister-in-law Michele's church in Athens GA. I was reminded of how terrible that it is visiting church for the first time. Now, don't take anything …
Every Member a ...
This Sunday we will be talking about expectations at church and it has me thinking about what I expect out of the people of our church. As part of a church planting school that I a…
Heckler or Helper
Have you ever gone to a ball game and sat next to a "Big Fan?" I mean the kind who is always yelling as if among the 30,000 other people, their voice would stand out. From time to …
Why bad leaders end up in high places
I usually do not post other people's thoughts on my blog, but this is one that is a must read for you pastors and church planters. From Ben Arment... I came across this passage in …
Communication
Communication is vital to any relationship. Especially church. In leading a relatively new work things can change at the drop of a hat. But the communication I refer to is more vis…
Untitled
Drifting, Surfing, Drowning and Sailing In Puddles, Swamps, Wells and Oceans Each week I receive the Monday Morning Memo. At this point they are not providing RSS so I will cut and…
On Pastor's Wives from Time Magazine
Time Magazine has an article on the difficulties of being a pastor's wife. Something this pastor needs to read, and I would bet, most pastors need to know. I for one know that with…