Article: 9 Surefire Ways to Make Your Church Ineffective

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18 When Peter (Jesus’ right hand man) confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, Jesus replied with what you read above. It kind of feels…

I have an announcement to make… No, it is nothing bad. Earlier this fall, our bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod asked if I would be willing to serve on a committee. A very special committee. Before I tell you what it is, I want to explain a few details first. Our church is affiliated…

For God’s anger lasts only a moment, but the Lord’s favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 These words reflect the thoughts of a songwriter in ancient Israel. This psalm could be almost 3000 years old. Their experience of God tells them God’s goodness…

A kindergarten teacher found an exciting new thing for her Sunday School class. The teacher wrote a song about popcorn, taught it to the children, and had them crouch down on the floor to sing it. At appropriate points in the song, all the children would “pop up.” The teacher soon had them “popping” all…

Personal reflection is a hallmark of the Lenten season. Jesus spent 40 days reflecting on his mission to save the world. We too have the opportunity to spend 40 days reflecting on what God has done for us and for humanity.  We often miss the “big picture” of God’s Masterplan. God’s plan took thousands of…

What kind of God do you want? Or to put it a different way, what kind of God do you believe in? John the Baptist was expecting one kind of God. A God who will bring punishment. John talked extensively to the crowds about what God is like and what God is going to do…