How a 70 year old guy who’s been in ministry 40 years reads the Bible
I’m reading the book Leaders Who Last by Dave Kraft. It’s a very simple book on leadership but one with great insight from one with seasoned experience. Dave served with the Navs for 38 years and is now the leadership development pastor at Mars Hill Church (Mark Driscoll’s church). I loved his simple reminder on
The 4 Reasons People Give to their Church
During my 30 years in ministry, I’ve discovered that people give to their church for 4 primary reasons. 1. Obedience-because the Bible teaches it, they believe and practice it. 2. Challenge-some are motivated by big vision and challenge. 3. Reason-it costs the church money to run, so some give because it makes sense. 4. Compassion– touching
When Faith calls out from a Pediatric ICU
The frigid temperature caused me to catch my breath and I squinted as my pupils adjusted to the intense lighting. After hearing the respirator’s rhythmic sound, I glanced into the room to my right. I felt the sadness of two red-eyed parents as they gingerly held their child’s hand. My heavy heart became heavier
Strategic Planning for Dummies, Part 2
In a recent post, Strategic Planning for Dummies, I suggested a simple visual that can simply explain strategic planning. I’ve used the tool below with that visual to help actually implement ministry plans. I hope it helps you. Ministry Event Plan tool for blog
What this Twit-a-holic learned when his account got SUSPENDED!
Account Suspended This account is currently suspended and is being investigated due to strange activity. ________________________________________________________________ I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read this message from Twitter! Me, Charles Stone, who loves puppies, drives the speed limit, and secretly wants to be a Wal-Mart security guard to catch people really doing bad stuff… had
Twitter Suspended my Account!
Yikes. Twitter just suspended my account. I’m in Twitter withdrawal! Anybody have any ideas on how to cope with withdrawal? For those of you who got kicked off, how long did it take until they un-suspended you?
Strategic Planning for Dummies
Strategic planning can sometimes be difficult to explain. This diagram I developed has helped me easily explain the process I call strategic planning for dummies. Strategic planning for dummies The outside circle represents the process of strategic planning. Plan what you want to do Train and communicate to those who will carry out the plan
What a Guy Who’s been on a Ventilator for 20 Years Taught Me
About 3 months ago a guy wheeled into our church strapped into a motorized wheelchair and breathing on a ventilator. I didn’t learn his name nor begin to learn his story until about a month ago. I spent an hour with him this week and was deeply moved by his story. It all began when
If you Knew you’d never again see someone you love, what would your parting words be?
If you knew you would never see someone you loved again in this life, what would you say? I’ve move as a pastor/teaching pastor from two churches in the last 20 years, and I’ve shared these 10 parting thoughts to those people I loved, not knowing if I’d ever see them again. 1. Say thank-you
What I Learned about Team from 3,000 People Last Weekend
This past weekend, between Thursday and Sunday, over 3,000 people volunteered to pack over 500,000 meals for Haiti at our church. It was an incredible collaborative effort between people from five churches, the community, and local businesses. We partnered with a Christian organization called Feed My Starving Children whose sole purpose is encapsulated in its
