It is easy to become so comfortable in the present that one stops envisioning and striving toward a future that differs dramatically. As one ages, especially if things are going well, motivation to fully pursue one's life dream often fades. Not only does the life dream itself no longer seem as compelling, it may even be written off as unrealistic or unnecessary. So What? Whether you are 19, 91, or some age between, it's your time. Now is the best time to re-evaluate what your Read More …
identity
Refocusing (#0661)
Staying focused is an ongoing challenge. There is so much one can do that it is easy to lose sight of what one is called to do. The urgent can override the important and the exciting can trump the routine. So What? Living a focused life requires intentional periods of refocusing. How do you refocus? When? What role does Sabbath play? Do you know yourself and your identity well enough to know when you are living an out of focus life? Do you have others in your life Read More …
God is Still Speaking – the First Decade (#0553)
Ron Buford is the lead architect of the United Church of Christ's (UCC) Still Speaking campaign which began in 2002. He recently accepted a call to serve as Interim Minister for Discipleship at Old South Church in Boston, and authored an article about Still Speaking in the denomination's magazine (Vol. 2, Issue 2 - p.54-56). In that piece he explores his experiences over the last decade, including his travel to congregations in all but two of the UCC Conferences. Read More …
Your Congregation’s Connection to a Denominational Brand (#0407)
Matt Carlisle, founder of Big Heart Design, a web and social media strategy consultancy located in Nashville, TN, recently blogged about the relationship of local congregation's to their denominational brand. He writes: If your church is part of a denomination, your congregation more than likely has used church-wide logos or branding statements to promote your ministry. From the logo printed on business cards to the sign in the front lawn, most American churches are identified largely Read More …
What Makes A Vital Congregation? (#0379)
The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell has served as senior pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, TX since 1982. During that time the church has grown from around twenty-five active members to over 18,000. Recently, the Rev. Caldwell was asked, by the United Methodist News Service, "What makes Windsor Village a vital congregation?" He answered: When I came in 1982, I shared with the administrative council then that we were going to do three things, and we’re still Read More …
A Few Thoughts on Who Jesus Is (#0341)
Yesterday the United Church of Christ's Stillspeaking Writers' Group shared fourteen thoughts about who Jesus is. Three of their thoughts spoke to me: Jesus is the one who makes God real for me Jesus is the one who calls me out to the other on behalf of myself In Jesus, God shared in the kind of life you and I live So What? As you continue on your holy week journey what are some of your thoughts about who Jesus is? Has some aspect of who Jesus is become more clear for you in Read More …