One of the biggest APE’s (Anxiety Producing Events) for Churches of Christ is the Shepherd/Elder selection process. When this process is handled poorly–as it sometimes is–the direction of a church can change almost over night as a new wave of shepherds find themselves leading a church. They start making the changes they’ve been longing to […]
2007 Tulsa Workshop
You can find the latest info about the 2007 Tulsa Workshop here. As usual, Terry and his team have done a great job putting together a stellar event. I’m looking forward to it. Hope to see you there.
February 14, 2007 by 2 Comments
New Sign Coming
Because of the transition we’re making at Garnett, which we described in the LJ article, we’re getting a new sign. In a few weeks, here’s what the sign on our front lawn will look like. As you can see, we haven’t changed the name of our church. We’ve changed the name of our facility where […]
February 6, 2007 by 14 Comments
The Ninety-Five Percent Theory
In Leading Turnaround Churches (a good, but not great book), Gene Wood puts forth what he calls “The Ninety-Five Percent Theory.” He writes, “Simply stated the 95 percent theory is that 95 percent of all serious problems in the church stem from a power struggle.” I disagree. I think 99 percent of all serious problems […]
January 8, 2007 by 16 Comments
A Cappella is Hard to Spell
Mike Cope?s blog has been abuzz with discussion on these two posts about the Richland Hills Church of Christ?s decision to add an instrumental service to their a cappella lineup. The comments have been predictable, ranging from “I can?t believe it!” to “I?m so glad they?re doing it!” to “Why is this still an issue?” […]
December 6, 2006 by 35 Comments
The House Unity Built
I’ve been asked a number of times what I hoped would come out of the reconciliation and unity celebrations that occurred at events like the Tulsa Workshop and NACC. I kept saying I hoped it would lead to some concrete demonstrations of unity beyond getting together for a worship assembly. I’m really proud of some […]
October 17, 2006 by 7 Comments
The Emerging Church of Christ Cohort
Are you interested in planting a church? Are you a youth minister looking for ways to engage a postmodern world within a modern congregation? Do you desire to find the harmony between being unconditionally missional and retaining Church of Christ core beliefs? Are you an emerging leader who desires to navigate real change within your […]
April 4, 2006 by 2 Comments
Workshop Article
The Associated Press has a good article about the workshop that has been printed in newspapers across the nation. It’s been an odd mixture of good and bad press for Churches of Christ lately.
April 3, 2006 by 10 Comments
Workshop Reflections
Here are a few random workshop reflections. 1. The love and encouragement Terry and I experienced was at times overwhelming. I received only one negative comment about the program and it didn’t come from the direction you might expect. It was from a member of the Disciples of Christ (See reflection #2). Obviously, the people […]
March 30, 2006 by 8 Comments
Preacher Swap
Last Sunday Greg Pittman and I swapped churches. He preached at Garnett and I preached at the Cedar Ridge Christian Church. On one level, it’s not that big of a deal. Both of our congregations had guest preachers. But on another level, it is quite significant. It’s not something that would have happened ten years […]
March 21, 2006 by 15 Comments
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons