Vince Amlin, associate minister at the United Church of Gainesville (Gainesville, FL), recently suggested that we need more spiritual prodigies. More specifically, he wrote The Church could use a generation of spiritual prodigies. The UCC needs them. The world needs them – kids hungry for a second helping of soul. So What? I agree wholeheartedly with Amlin that the church is ready to benefit from a new generation of spiritual prodigies. I wonder, however, what it is that your local Read More …
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Learning from Trader Joe’s (#1436)
Becca Messman, associate pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church (Herndon, VA), recently wrote about how the church could learn from her favorite grocery store: Trader Joe's. Her piece, published in the Presbyterian Outlook, considers how Presbyterians would do well to study this "quirky, small-by-design chain of grocery stores that is clearly not trying to be any of its competitors." Her suggestions, of course, transcend her denominational affiliation. Messman recommends that Read More …
Commencement Wisdom (#1428)
Graduation season has arrived. Whether you are attending a commencement ceremony this year or not, you can benefit from a the wisdom of over 300 of the most notable commencement speeches ever given in the United States (1774-2013). This incredible resource was compiled by NPR. The Dalai Lama's remarks at Tulane last year made the list as did 26 other 2013 speeches. In his speech, the Dalai Lama said I heard you mention your own state and your own nation – that’s wonderful and Read More …
Youth Min: Exit Interviews (#1410)
Every congregation I have served has recognized students when they graduate from high school. In most cases this recognition has included both formal recognition in a Sunday morning worship service (or services) along with a more personalized celebration in the context of youth ministry. As these new graduates prepare to transition from the youth ministry (those devised for students in middle school and high school) into a college or young adult ministry, youth ministry leaders Read More …
Christian Youth: Learning and Living the Faith (#1381)
Princeton Theological Seminary was recently awarded a $1.1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to fund a study that will "provide church leaders with strategies to help children connect with their religion." This study of confirmation in five denominations - United Methodist, Presbyterian, Evangelical Lutheran, Episcopal and African Methodist Episcopal - will include two elements: : (1) a survey of youth and parents about their beliefs, and (2) research that will Read More …
Who Are You? (#1366)
Last week I modified the words of what I found to be an intriguing Facebook status, and used the new version as a status update. My version read "Share your insight: use 1 word to describe me. (Don't repeat any words already used.)" According to the results, I am keen, organized, smart, pensive, brilliant, intelligent, focused, diplomatic, efficient, gregarious, contemplative, energetic, thoughtful, innovator, friend, spirited, believer, son, and minister. Additionally - Read More …
Best Youth/Student Ministry (#1352)
Jeremy Zach, a youth minister since 2002 and youth ministry blogger, recently shared his list of common characteristics found in great youth ministries. His list of seven shared attributes includes three that are not directly about the youth/students: maintain and train amazing and healthy leaders, engage 25% of their parents, and invite the senior pastor into the student ministry. So What? Zach is right: great youth/student ministry is never ministry in its own silo. Read More …
What Do You Call Yourself? (#1348)
Douglas Lobb, retired minister and former executive secretary of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, recently wrote about an increasingly challenging and vitally important term often used as a means of identifying oneself with the Way of Jesus: Christian (The Congregationalist, Dec. 2013, p.21-23). Relating his own experience, Lobb writes: In the light of today's Christian world, I find that I have great difficulty calling myself a Christian; because what is Read More …
Angry Men with Fearful Minds (#1344)
Philip Gulley, popular Christian author and pastor of the Fairfield Friends Meeting (near Indianapolis, IN), used his most recent "Back Home Again" essay in Indianapolis Monthly to consider the prevalence of griping in our country - especially griping done by white men. The words he uses to conclude his essay captured my attention and led me to return to his article on multiple occasions as I pondered just what this might mean for me: . . . for reasons I do not fully Read More …
Key Marketing Question (#1342)
Seth Godin, a one of a kind marketing genius who was inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame in 2013, recently shared the most important question any person or entity marketing a product or service to a potential new customer must address: "Do they trust me enough to believe my promises?" So What? When churches engage in marketing they must not ignore this question. Think about how your congregation markets itself to potential newcomers as well as how individual ministries Read More …