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…
Courageous or Cowardly?
Remember the classic movie, Wizard of Oz? One of the characters that made us laugh was the Cowardly Lion. If something went BUMP, he would jump. He was always afraid and lacked the courage to face, well, anything. It may have been comical, but no one wants to live in fear. We need courage. Nothing…
Wear a Mask in Church!
Maybe you’ve noticed how hard it is to agree on things these days. Every topic feels like an unresolveable argument just waiting to happen. From the presidential election to the politics of a pandemic to the police and how we promote justice in light of our country’s legacy of slavery, I don’t recall a time…
Cancel Culture
Growing up, I was taught that there were at least two sides to every argument. Scripture reminds us that “The first to state his case seems right until his neighbor comes to cross-examine him” Proverbs 18:17 (GW). Getting another perspective is both wise and biblical! Regrettably, there is a growing intolerance to hear any other…
Lost in Translation
Communication is a complicated thing. Too often, our words are misunderstood. Our assumptions cloud the message. Someone said that “good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity.” The cultural debate is plagued with misunderstanding. The radicalized left seems to believe that no good thing dwells within America nor its history. The strong language of…
Finding Unity
Biblical over Political In the chaos and unrest of today’s America, it’s easy to lose our way. Each voice seems more demanding than the last, each appears to have a nugget of truth, and each one seems to stand in opposition to the other. As Christ-followers, how do we find our way? We find God’s…
