COVID has led some people to think they don’t need to be part of the church family. They say they are getting everything they need online or on their own. Guess what? The Bible says that’s impossible. There are no Lone Ranger Christians. Every metaphor of the church is about others. We are the “body…
Top Ten Ways to Honor Your Pastor
This year has been a tough year for all of us, our pastors, and church leaders too. The pandemic has changed almost everything, including our churches, and many of our leaders are growing fatigued just as they enter the seasons of Thanksgiving and Advent. (By the way, I’m so pleased with how our churches and…
The Art of Disagreeing
Tensions are on the rise. As the crisis of the pandemic continues, the social unrest and racial tension build, and the election looms large on the horizon, we all find ourselves with less and less margin. It’s as if we are water up to our ears just making it through the day, making any minor…
The New Normal
FOR CHURCHES The church has always prospered under pressure. For the church, this is not the time to panic, but to be more intentional on the mission God has called us. I cling to the promise that Jesus gave us, “I will build my church, and the gates of hades will not prevail against it”…
The New Normal
FOR PASTORS AND LEADERS I’ve said this often. Don’t expect to go back to normal. In fact, if you are just waiting to get back to church-as-usual, you’re missing out on what God wants to do. Let’s Talk So what is the new normal we can expect? As I’ve listened and learned, here are four…
Four Essentials Every Church Must Know
Who could have anticipated all the changes and crises of 2020? The COVID pandemic that has caused many to become sick and even die. Schools have been canceled, restaurants closed, churches limited in meeting together. Added to that are the cultural issues of racism and social upheaval. And now the raging forest fires and debilitating…
The Significance of Submission
In our Conference of churches, one of our distinctives is that we belong to a “Connectional” system. What does that mean? We believe local churches are to be accountable and submitted to one other. In other words, we don’t have “stand-alone” congregations. We are part of a larger church family. We have a covering of…
Zoom Gloom
Whether you call it Zoom Fatigue or Zoom Gloom, many of us are experiencing overload from being online. If you type “why are zoom meetings…” into a google search, the top three options are “so exhausting,” “so awkward,” and “so boring!” Yikes. Our exposure to video meetings has left us wanting and wondering about their…
Four Continuing Challenges Every Pastor Faces
One of the privileges I have is regularly talking and praying with pastors. Sometimes we forget that pastors are people too, and they struggle during this time, just like all of us. LET’S TALK Here are four continuing challenges every pastor is facing right now. I’ve also added a prayer for each area to remind…
Five Pleasant Surprises While Ministering During COVID-19
If you’re like me, its so easy to go “negative” in the midst of the uncertainty, confusion, and division in our world. We need to remember that God is still on the throne and is working in every situation we face (Romans 8:28). One way we remind ourselves is by practicing gratitude. There’s some logic…
Seven From the Summit
Every year the Pacific Conference hosts the “Global Leadership Summit.” This year, it was a bit different as we encouraged Watch Parties, rather than a larger gathering. Eight of us gathered at the Conference Office for our Watch Party last Thursday and Friday. It was great to be together, to watch, learn, and share (even…
Four Qualities of a Servant Leader
Do you know that serving can be self-serving? I can open the door for you, not because I want to help you, but because I want to look good! Serving can be done for all the wrong reasons, even in a COVID-19 world. It can be the ultimate “look at me!” opportunity. Today’s blog is…
