In a previous post I gave a definition for what I think when I use the term “Organic Pastor” and you can find that post here. In this post I would like to help you understand just what I mean when I use the term “Simple Church Communities.” My definition of the term “Simple Church Communities” is any gathering of people for the expressed purpose of worship, Bible teaching, and pastoral care that is regular and serves … Continue reading →
I was once a Seventh-day Adventist pastor. In 1999 I walked away from my pulpit as an Adventist minister. I spent 18 years of my adult life as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, including serving as a pastor in both the Carolina Conference of SDA and the Gulf States Conference of SDA. At the time that I left the Adventist denomination I was going through an unwanted divorce, and although my conference president was gracious in seeking ways to preserve my ministry, I … Continue reading →
I can remember one of my Old Testament professors discussing the difference between leaders who pull and leaders who push. He explained the difference by sharing with the class something he witnessed on a trip in the Middle East while he was traveling from a teaching assignment in Israel to a new teaching assignment in Ethiopia. He explained that when he was leaving the University in Israel and heading to the airport, he saw shepherds … Continue reading →
David Jones was a British teenager who wanted to make a career out of his love for music. He was playing and performing his music before he ever graduated from school. He became a leader of several bands and finally recorded his first album. The album received positive reviews by England’s harshest music critics, yet it sold little. In a matter of months, David was homeless and living on the streets. To make matters worse, … Continue reading →
There is a difference between leadership and management. You may be a workplace manager, but not necessarily a workforce leader. You may even have supervisory responsibility of employees, but that doesn’t automatically make you a leader. Leaders differ with managers in that they posses and practice qualities that allow them to succeed in motivating people. They don’t just manage projects; they lead people in the accomplishment of those projects. So if you want to transform … Continue reading →
Sunday was a good day in fellowship. It amazes me how God shows up even when we are few. That is the promise of Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (ESV), isn’t it? We finished our study through 1 Corinthians and next week we will be starting our study through 2 Corinthians. In some ways continuing through 2 Corinthians is a natural continuation of the same … Continue reading →
