One of the key tools in assessing the health of a congregation is asking the questions “what’s working?” and “what’s not working?” This is NOT the same as “what do you like?” and “what don’t you like?” There could be a ministry that you passionately support that is not doing what it needs to do. […]
How’s Your Vision: What’s Working/Not Working? Read More »
by Dr. Paul Raybon I made my annual trip to the eye doctor last week. When you read for work and pleasure as well as spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen, you take care of your eyes. I’m always fascinated by the whole process. Having pictures taken of the inside
Over the years I have fallen into the ministry trap of if you want to get something done right, you have to do it yourself. There is a certain wiring of any minister’s DNA, I think, that wants to do a good job in part because we tend to be perfectionists or it reflects on
The Significance of Going from One to Three Read More »
by Steve Zimmerman Growing up out West in Oklahoma you cannot help but be influenced by some of the culture. To this day I still get homesick when the sun sets in the evening and not be able to see the whole glory of the heavens in their splendor like that on the Great Plains.
One of the finest ways to keep volunteers is to appreciate them. We all like to be and feel appreciated, don’t we? Please feel free to share some ways you show volunteers you appreciate them. I am including Weekly Appreciation Checklist developed by Dema Kohem to help you to keep up with the ways you communicate appreciation.
Volunteers: A Four Letter Word?!?!?!? – Follow-up Read More »
by Cathy Hopkins As I read post after post from church leaders, and especially preschool and children’s ministry leaders from across the United States, I notice a common thread in a large percentage of their laments- VOLUNTEERS!!! Leaders are asking: How do we find volunteers? How do we keep volunteers? When and how do we
Volunteers!!! A Four Letter Word? Read More »
Summer is a good time to experience the joys of Vacation Bible School or make plans for the new church year. It is also a good season to rest, reflect and recharge. That sense of reflection and recharging is what we would like to share with you in this newsletter. Earlier this year we put
A Summer Collection Read More »
For he said to me “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” II Cor. 12:9 The Message I understand when I see the memes and hashtags that say “you are enough” So many people in this world are drowning in messages of self-loathing and inadequacy,
After my last post, it has caused me to be more hopeful with my email inbox. So many times in the busyness of each day, I see my emails as a bother or an interruption. I constantly remind myself to slow down and pay attention. Hopeful is an exciting way to live life. I am
Hopefulness in Email Read More »
Larry Glover-Wetherington This blog refers to the November E-ncourager article on “Five Spiritual Practices for Congregations.” The first spiritual practice was Listening. Listening to God, to one another, and to our neighborhood. Baptist congregations typically make decisions using Roberts Rules of Order, which are good as a structure for order of business, but in several
Having Difficult Congregational Conversations Read More »
