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 […]
How well do you listen to what other people are trying to say? Are you able to discern the underlying needs? Notice I didn’t say ‘problem’ but needs. So often when people talk we try to find a problem to solve rather than a need to be understood. We listen in order to respond rather […]
Crowds are clueless. They never get it right. They cheer for the superstars, and look past the saints. They glorify the rich and even cast votes for a new American Idol. Crowds are addicted to all the hype, bling and buzz they can consume, but then complain of loneliness, fatigue and overload. They look for […]
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 waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” [Psalm 40:1-3] I […]
If I asked you if you were a confrontational person, how would you respond? Do you admire confrontational people or flee from them? Are they helpful or hurtful? Most of us I think avoid conflict and confrontations at all cost, even if it means sacrificing our happiness and our better judgment as long at it […]
The church council exists to create and supervise the strategic plan for your local congregation so that the congregation fulfills its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. This twofold function includes both leadership and management. Leadership is the visionary, “big picture” work that assesses critically where your congregation is at the present moment, where God is calling […]
“For right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 (Message) Christmas is Love I don’t suspect too many people are surprised by this one, but I do think we’ve taken […]
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:22-23 Christmas is Immanuel Do you remember what it was like when you were little and afraid of the […]
All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done. Psalm 64:9 Christmas is Ponder While it is important, even critical, to slow down during Christmas, it should be used to gain understanding of the why and wherefore of everything that is happening. It should be a time when we […]
“When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” Matthew 2:3 Christmas is disturbing. One of the great challenges that come with having power and control is of course maintaining it. It seem like we all know that deep down inside us all there is a frightened child hiding behind […]
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8 I love the fact that God did not send the Magi on some wild goose chase. Look at Matthew 2:2, […]
Remember that Christ says, “When I come, it will surprise you like a thief! But God will bless you, if you are awake and ready.” Revelations 16:15 Christmas is Surprise. Let me explain. The word appears in Luke’s account of that first Christmas. “And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them…” Surprise! Didn’t […]
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38 Christmas is humility. I know. Probably not your first choice of descriptions for the holiday season. But it was certainly God’s starting point. We need to remember that our Lord was not […]
“I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others to do the same.” C.S. […]
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 […]
Do You Know Your Destination? It is your direction, not your intention that determines your destination. If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there. “Fight for us, O God, that we not drift numb and blind and foolish into vain and empty excitements. Life is too short, too precious, too painful to […]
Crisis! 1. A crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point. An emotionally stressful or traumatic change in a person’s life. A crisis constitutes any circumstance or situation which cannot be resolved by customary problem-solving abilities. It require a new way of thinking, being and doing. It changes the world as you knew it […]
O God, I beg two favors from you; Let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Where is the LORD?” And if […]
“The atheist can’t find God for the same reason that a thief can’t find a policeman.” Unknown “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 There is an old story about unrealistic expectations that goes something like this. During a […]
We dread Monday Mornings. It’s the end of the weekend, the end of “our time” and the beginning of “their time”. Mondays remind us that our life is in a rut, days filled with meaningless work, going no where in particular. We’re bored, restless, and aimless. We don’t like where we are or […]
I wait. Year after year, generation after generation I’ve been here, waiting, watching and hoping. I’ve watched so many climb these steps as the bell rang through the streets. I’ve watched generations pass by on their way to and from school and wondered if they knew why I was here. I’ve watch as horses gave […]
Is Violence Senseless? Once again I’ve been jolted back to reality by the horrific news coming out of Colorado. What started out for many as a simple night at the movies with friends, family or sweethearts turned into a nightmare when evil came out of the shadows and reminded us that we are not […]
A BRIEF HISTORY What follows is an attempt to give the reader a flavor of the sumptuous meal that is offered by the United Methodist Church for those willing to sit at the Table of Fellowship. I’m offering this in response to the many confused looks I’ve received from visitors and members alike who enjoy […]
For the next three weeks we are going to talk John Wesley’s Three Simple Rules for developing a life as an intentional Christian. But first we must consider the context of Wesley’s passion and how his rules relate to our own time and circumstances. It all begins at a time of great political, economic and […]
“There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.” ~Celia Thaxter Summer is a time of reflection and renewal. There is more sunshine, more family time and more time to live on purpose. During the summer our thoughts turn toward what’s really important to us not just what is urgent. We take more time to […]
This I Believe I believe I need a shepherd. Because I am sometimes timid and other times overconfident, because I often don’t know the best path yet pretend I do, because I rush into dead ends or lead others into hazardous places, because my brightest ideas are seamed with darkness, because the things I crave […]
Several days ago some friends of mine were stuck in a car on the way home from a meeting. As usually happens when we get together, our conversation turned toward church life, dwindling volunteers and the problems we all face as pastors to communicate spiritual things in a hectic, overworked and sometimes deaf world. We […]
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build […]
During the season of Lent we will be taking an indepth look at the each of the four Gospels and considering how each Gospel was written, why some stories were included and not others and why the wording is different in each. In the process we will discover that each of the writers […]
During the season of Lent we will be taking an indepth look at the each of the four Gospels and considering how each Gospel was written, why some stories were included and not others and why the wording is different in each. In the process we will discover that each of the writers has a […]
This is one of the best descriptions of Christian Discipleship I’ve ever read! Be Inspired! Discipleship—being willing to move on every level, leaving the old life behind, following Jesus wherever he may lead, sitting at his feet so to speak, taking in not only what he says but who he is on the deepest level […]
I had to take my car into the garage last week for a tune-up. It was running very rough and wouldn’t even idle when in gear, which meant I had to put it in neutral every time I came to a stoplight or traffic slowed down. What a pain! I think it was actually misfiring […]
Suppose there was a king….a good king…who ruled over his land with both justice and mercy. Everyone knew him to be a good-hearted king, but he was strong on people who didn’t respect each other. His view of the law was that it was to protect everyone from everyone, and to reflect well on […]
During the season of Lent we will be taking an indepth look at the each of the four Gospels and considering how each Gospel was written, why some stories were included and not others and why the wording is different in each. In the process we will discover that each of the writers has a […]
We all deal with craziness from time to time and usually believe everyone sees the world as we do. But the Bible is clear that some people are just fools and more conversation is pointless. I share this post in the hope it will as helpful for you as it was for me. ~ steve […]
Almost all of us guys get up every day and go to work. Work involves people, and we deal with all kinds of attitudes. Some, we’d just rather not have to deal with at all if we didn’t have to. But others are a joy to be around. And I’m not just talking […]
I know that there are hundreds of different ways to describe the church as it exists today, some good, some not so good. This ambiguity leaves many confused and struggling to create a definition all their own, often with disastrous consequences. I though I would give several definitions a try. See which one describes you best and then take a stab […]
A look at the faithfulness, generosity and gratitude of First United Methodist Church Williamstown, West Virginia Making Disciples ~ Making a Difference 2011 Annual Report FUMC Homepage Related posts: Centennial Moment II Centennial Moment XIII Centennial Moment XV Centennial Moment I
In the midst of hectic life, it’s easy to get lost. We rise to the top of our profession to realize we were climbing the wrong ladder. God, what happened? How did my life end up like this? Where is the peace that passes all understanding? Where am I, can someone help me, please? When […]
I awoke this morning to the dragon’s hot breath on my face. I was disoriented, not quite knowing where I was. I struggled to open one eye. Then another. And there he was. A dragon. A very big dragon. With three heads. Sitting in my bedroom, like so many mornings before, he was waiting. His heads swerved […]
When we became Christians we entered a process in which the life of Christ became the air we breathe, the blood which courses through our veins and the wisdom that guides our thoughts and actions. To know what the next step is in our spiritual growth, we must first know where we are and where […]
What is our task in this world as children of God and brothers and sisters of Jesus? Our task is reconciliation. Wherever we go we see divisions among people – in families, communities, cities, countries, and continents. All these divisions are tragic reflections of our separation from God. The truth that all people belong together […]
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures […]
Are Christians better people because they are Christian? When we become Christians do we become better than other people? It’s certainly the accusation most non-Christians level at the church community. We are perceived as arrogant, holier-than-thou people who shake their finger at the world with a condescending tone rather than washing feet and offering grace. […]
All people long for God. Period. Some may say the exact opposite, but our desires, actions and values suggest something completely different. We all long to connect with something greater than ourselves, we long for the heart of God. There is simply no better way to connect with God than to learn who God is […]
To what extent are we a Christian community? According to William Willimon, Bishop of the Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church, We are Christian to the extent that we conform to and are confronted by the Word of God. In Romans 12, Paul advises his readers not to be conformed to the pattern of […]
The preaching of “Christian Perfection” has been one of Methodism’s most important contributions to the life of the whole Church of Christ. It has also been, from time to time, a source of controversy. It must be said that Wesley’s sermon which bears the title is perhaps not the best introduction to his views. To […]
A guest post from Toby Kurth, pastor of Christ Church San Francisco: Coming face to face with reality is not a bad thing. We live in a world of facades, where truth can be very difficult. Dealing honestly with reality can be a challenging thing for all of us. That is one of the reasons […]
Leadership [polldaddy poll=5333439] Related posts: How do you handle Money? Leadership Development Team Self Esteem Leadership Values
Deuteronomy 11:1-32 Most of the greatest Biblical dialogues were recorded and preserved because they contain within them a powerful message that spoke to the heart of a people longing for a word from God, a word that in most cases either clarified the present or changed the course of the future. In typical fashion these […]
God wants you to grow up. “God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love – like Christ in everything.” Eph. 4:15a (Msg) “We are not meant to remain as children…” Eph 4:14a (Ph) Your heavenly Father’s goal is for you is to mature and develop the characteristics […]
A man and his best friend were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that his friend walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them. After a while, they came […]
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, […]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arxfLK_sd68&feature=player_embedded] I hope you enjoy this video; I found it helpful and challenging. The purpose of the Missional church is to equip those who attend on Sunday morning to take the church to the community. Instead of having altar calls and invitations giving by professional clergy, the church experience is to engage, equipp and encourage […]
This is a copy of an invitation sent out to people who have visited our church in the last 9 months but who for reasons unknown have drifted away. It is a simple way to invite a dialog if they so choose. During summer most people like to slow down and relax a bit. Me, […]
For Them – Every Child deserves a chance to experience, explore and embrace God’s love in and among God’s people. When children see real life men and women living as disciples, they are encouraged to learn about God’s dream for their lives too. They deserve to have a place where people give generously of the time, talents and […]
THE POWER OF C-H-A-N-G-E Part 1 – Connect I’ve always heard that religion is about reformation. But Christianity is about transformation. Those two things are not the same. The former is about what a person can do to make self-improvements – Ladder People. The latter is about a person totally yielding to the Person of […]
The Story (Extravagant Grace!). The Story of God calls to us every moment of our lives. It whispers to us on the wind, invites us through the laughter of good friends, reaches out to us through the touch of someone we love. We’ve heard it in our favorite music, sensed it at the birth of […]
I spoke to a man the other day who does market research (focus groups and interviews) with a wide range of people: what they like and don’t like; what they think and feel about various things. He said that overwhelmingly what people want more than anything else is belonging: to fit in and be accepted; […]
Leo Tolstoy once said: “Everyone thinks of changing the world, no one thinks of changing himself.” God wants to do greater things in our community and in our church, but He also wants greater things in our homes, and in our marriages, in our families, in our finances, and in our future. It has to […]