Have you ever thought of quitting ministry? Every Monday! Right? Seriously, all of us have wondered if we can or even should continue in the pastorate. This past week I turned 60! Yes, I’m getting old. As I look back on 38 years of ministry, it is only because of God’s sustaining grace that I’ve…
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Our History in Three Words
Next year our Denomination celebrates its 50th anniversary. In 1968, at our Oregon City Evangelical Church, we became the Evangelical Church of North America (long name and I’m not sure why we limited ourselves to this continent). LET’S TALK… Three words could describe our history as a Conference and Denomination: Dependent, Independent and Interdependent. DEPENDENT….
Anatomy of an Offense
Have you ever noticed how easily we are offended by each other? We become offended by what someone says, or does, or doesn’t do. Many times in ministry, my wife, Linda and I have had to work through times of feeling rejected and the temptation to take an offense. Believe me, it isn’t easy. “A…
Next Steps …in relationships
Last week I shared that the theme of this week’s Conference is “Next Steps.” In Mark 3:14 we find some next steps Jesus took in his ministry – “He appointed 12—He also named them apostles—to … Source: Next Steps …in relationships
Annual Conference & Why We Belong
I hope you have your calendars marked for Annual Conference which is July 18-20 at Valley View Church in Clackamas. The theme this year is OnMission: Next Steps. My prayer and desire is that all of us will come away from our time together with some next steps which God wants us to take in…
Why You Should Consider a Trip to Israel
GOOD MORNING! Have you been to Israel yet? I’ve often said that if you can afford it, every Christian should take one trip to the Holy Land in their lifetime. LET’S TALK… I have to tell you that I love Israel! Here are 4 reasons I think you should go to Israel: You will grow…
Your Church & Social Media
GOOD MORNING! How well is your church connected to Social Media? Social Media is no longer just a “cool thing,” it is part of our culture and is here to stay. LET’S TALK… Jesus told about the master who commanded his servant to “Go out into the highways and byways and compel them to come in, so…
Good Meetings
GOOD MORNING! Maybe you think “good meetings” is an oxymoron. This week we have Board meetings at the Conference office. My dad once admitted that even though he has been to a ton of meetings over the years, they didn’t accomplish much! Ouch! LET’S TALK… Patrick Lencioni says that “the greatest myth about meetings is…
5 Steps for Leading Change
GOOD MORNING! Do you have a hard time adjusting back to the routine after vacation? Sometimes I think I need a vacation after the vacation! Linda and I had a wonderful time away, but readjusting to reality is a challenge. LET’S TALK… Let’s talk about change. If we are really honest, we all resist change….
Blind Spots
Good morning! I recently read that we all have 3-5 blind spots. Yikes! How does that make you feel? Of course, the problem with blind spots is that they are blind spots, we don’t see them. LET’S TALK… So what can help us open our eyes to those sightless shortcomings? Here are a few things…
Don’t tell me…
Good morning! As pastors, we love people (well, most of the time). That’s why we are in ministry. However, no one enjoys some of the hurtful things people may say. One of my wife’s pet peeves is people try to tell me something through her. That’s just one of the things on the list of…
You need a Coach!
Pastor and leaders are burning out. In a recent article by Carey Nieuwhof, he shares some startled information from Barna Research: In 2015, 72% of pastors said they felt “very satisfied” with their job as pastors. In late 2022, just 52% of pastors were “very satisfied with their jobs.” That’s a staggering 20% drop over the course…
Coffee with Randall 