Category Archives: United Methodism

Five Practices (and More)

Here in the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church we have adopted (in a slightly modified form) the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations as featured in Bishop Robert Schnase’s book. With some other ideas (“Key Drivers”) added, we’re … Continue reading

Posted in Podcast, Pursuing Jesus, Theology, United Methodism | 2 Comments

Slippery Jesus

We who delve into the bible and lead congregations… Yes, it appears possible to do the one and not the other: One can delve into the bible purely for personal benefit, or one can lead congregations and ignore the bible. … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, church growth, Jesus, Leadership, Ministry, United Methodism | 5 Comments

Which Church Would You Rather Attend?

From the Wall Street Journal [“In Europe, God is (Not) Dead,” by Andrew Higgins]: Consider the scene on a recent Sunday at Stockholm’s Hedvig Eleonara Church, a parish of the Church of Sweden, a Lutheran institution that until 2000 was … Continue reading

Posted in church growth, Current events, Ministry, United Methodism | 1 Comment

Learning from Five Dysfunctions of a Team

I first heard Patrick Lencioni at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit a few years ago. He spoke then on the content of his book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Well, I’ve finally read the book. The heart of the … Continue reading

Posted in church growth, Leadership, Texas Annual Conference, United Methodism | Leave a comment

My First Church Job

The summer of 1983 was my last summer before Seminary (I was finishing college in December, and starting seminary in January). Since I was headed to a career in ministry, I figured I ought to get a ministry job. Everyone … Continue reading

Posted in Spirituality, United Methodism | 2 Comments

The Bishops are Seeking Leverage

In his Christian Chaos: Revolutionizing the Congregation Tom Bandy says, The primary link between congregation and denomination and denomination is pastoral relations, the key membership of the pastor is with the denominational judicatory, and the most powerful positions in congregation … Continue reading

Posted in church growth, Current events, Leadership, Local church, Spirituality, Theology, United Methodism | 10 Comments

What Kind of Church

Reading Bill Easum’s comments on hiring bring to mind the contrast between the Program Based Church and the Team Based Church. In this piece Easum gives two different models of hiring processes. These models are based on the two kinds … Continue reading

Posted in Leadership, Local church, Theology, United Methodism | Leave a comment

Cover Your Ears!

How do Christians decide who not to listen to? Which heresies, mistakes or habits take a person beyond the pale? I received a mailing from UM Action a few days ago complaining about homosexuals being put in charge of worship … Continue reading

Posted in Current events, Leadership, Politics, Spirituality, Theology, United Methodism | 4 Comments

Grace for Preachers & Leaders

Living in the boonies as I do, I frequently have to drive an hour or more to visit people in the hospital. Often I take the time to use my mp3 player. As I drove to Tyler today, Mark Driscoll, … Continue reading

Posted in Current events, Leadership, Spirituality, Theology, United Methodism | 1 Comment

Wesley Fellowship at NTCC

I’m certainly not as good a movie maker as my son, but here’s a short promotional video I made for the campus ministry at Northeast Texas Community College.

Posted in Current events, Higher Education, United Methodism | Leave a comment