Will Willimon (United Methodist Bishop, author of over sixty books and over six hundred scholarly articles, prolific blogger, and popular speaker) wrote a thought provoking article about ambition, which was posted earlier today on Leadership Journal. The brief article is worth reading, but the following excerpts are especially worth pondering: So I can't think of any reason why we clergy shouldn't admit ambition, shouldn't examine and strategize on the basis of our Read More …
Leadership
The Future of Mainline Denominations (#0151)
The Future of Mainline Protestantism As a group, mainline Protestants have experienced ongoing decline in membership for multiple decades. In recent years some have replaced "mainline" with terms like "old line" or "sidelined." Looking forward, almost everyone agrees that unless something changes significantly the decline will continue. While some writers have focused on the decline including the likely causes and others are calling for the end of Read More …
Glenn Beck the Spiritual Leader? (#0138)
Glenn Beck is best known as a conservative news commentator and host of The Glenn Beck Program. In recent months, he has made comments and taken actions that lead many to believe he is seeking or has assumed a new role as a religious leader. During his March 2 radio program he said: I beg you, look for the words "social justice" or "economic justice" on your church Web site. If you find it, run as fast as you can. Social justice and economic justice, they are code words. Read More …
Ready, Set, Fail (#0111)
After a successful acting career, Blaine Hogan attended and graduated from Mars Hill Graduate School in Seattle, WA. He currently works for Willow Creek Community Church as a Creative Producer creating contexts and spaces for people to experience God using multimedia, movement, and performance art. To learn more visit his blog, follow him on twitter, friend him on facebook, or watch his videos. Recently, Hogan wrote about the important topic of failure: Please, for the love of Read More …
Obama’s New Church (#0007)
Have you ever wondered how a President selects which church to attend? Apparently many more people are concerned with what church Obama chooses than the selection or discernment process leading to that choice. Back in February, Andrew Santella wrote, "Since before Election Day, Washington pastors have been lining up to invite the first family into their flock, and outlets from PBS to the Wall Street Journal have taken their turn handicapping the many contending congregations. Read More …