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Category Archives: Pastoral Ministry
The world needs more leaders, but we need leaders who excel at following. Aristotle knew that the most important quality for leading is developed by following. What is that quality? Self-discipline. Leaders must discipline themselves in order to lead effectively. … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Mark's Blog, Pastoral Ministry
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Leaders and Sabotage
Edwin Friedman has been a gift to me, with insights about how relationships, families, and church families function. I’m just now reading A Failure of Nerve, his last book. Friedman didn’t complete the book before he died, but the manuscript he … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Mark's Blog, Mark's Currently Reading, Pastoral Ministry
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Earthquakes Then and Now
I love those sections of scripture that point a finger directly at today’s problems and offer a ray of hope. Today my devotional time took me to the story of Jesus’ resurrection in Matthew 28. The second verse startled me with, … Continue reading
Posted in Bible and Theology, Mark's Blog, My Personal Journey, Pastoral Ministry
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Day of Hope; Day of Warning
I have always appreciated the powerful promise of Joel 2:26-29: “”And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, … Continue reading
Posted in Bible and Theology, Pastoral Ministry
Tagged Prophecy
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Ordinary Churches Do Extaordinary Kindnesses
“When a refugee friend came to us to ask for a job, we called our church. They hired him as a janitor on the spot. When we found out that man’s wife made jewelry, our church bought the supplies for … Continue reading
Posted in Mark's Blog, Pastoral Ministry
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Short-term Mountains
On Sunday, I taught about the transfiguration of Jesus (Luke 9:28-36). What joy James, John, and Peter felt when they saw Jesus in all his glory! Unfortunately, in the next story, they walk down the mountain and face a problem … Continue reading
Posted in Bible and Theology, Mark's Blog, Pastoral Ministry
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Weight Watcher Parable — Celebrate Good Actions
My wife and I joined Weight Watchers this summer. Today I received a special sticker for having lost ten pounds! There are many ways in which a Weight Watchers meeting resembles a church worship service. All the members sit in … Continue reading
Posted in Mark's Blog, My Personal Journey, Pastoral Ministry
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Anyone Can Become (more) Missional
I have always believed that God calls the church to serve the world, and that every disciple is privileged to be part of that call. I have also always struggled to get out of the church cocoon and actually get … Continue reading
Posted in My Personal Journey, Pastoral Ministry
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I Admit — I Can Be Irrational
Leadership Journal recently published a Christian leader’s take on Albert Ellis’ irrational beliefs, and it hits home. Irrational Belief #1 is thinking that I a miserable failure anytime I am not perfect. Realistically, there is a lot of room in … Continue reading
Posted in Pastoral Ministry
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Becoming Missional
“The Missional Church” is a hot phrase right now, and rightly so. God sent the church on a mission. Every once in awhile (probably, once a generation), the church forgets that we have a job to do and begins to … Continue reading
Posted in Mark's Currently Reading, Pastoral Ministry
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