You’ll never guess what I’m about to confess. There’s no need to try. I’m about to tell you. Perhaps you usually think of the word confess like this: “confess your faults one to another” that you may be healed (James 5:16). But that’s not where I’m going with this devotional word. I’m using the word, confess in more of a
Crisis changes you. The extent of the change may vary, but a crisis will leave its mark. A loved one’s death, a car accident, cancer, a miscarriage, losing a job, an epic public failure—all will change you, for better or worse. Crisis changes communities and nations as well. Wars, economic depressions terrorist attacks, and
Will you keep your faith in college? Odds are you won’t, at least according to Barna Research. Barna estimates that roughly 70% of high school students who enter college as professing Christians will leave with little to no faith. These students usually don’t return to their faith even after graduation, as Barna projects that 80%
Money can be an awkward issue for churches and guest speakers. It’s the issue both parties consider; but it’s often the issue around which both parties tiptoe. It should not be that way. It’s really a matter of biblical stewardship and hospitality. Over the years, I have worked with many churches and speakers (and a
A few years ago, the gym that I go to was undergoing new ownership. Without any prompting, I began thinking about possibly going to a new gym down the street. That week in the locker room another gym member entered and was upset because his credit card had been hacked. Coincidentally, he had also used
Taking too long Playing candidates off one another Not doing background checks: legal, social media, credit; They are not asking “#MeToo” questions Not providing clarity to internal candidates They are not communicating sufficiently to the congregation Some highlights from today’s Rainer Report: There is no reason why it should take as long as it normally
No man or woman is ever fully acquitted of all responsibility. Just as there are inalienable rights, there is such a thing as inalienable responsibility. What this means is that everyone leads something. Everyone is in charge of something—even if it’s just you. Each one of us is responsible for the choices and decisions we
More than 70 percent of pastors say they work between 55 to 75 hours every single week. Those numbers may not surprise you. But they should. Just like all the people you serve in ministry every week, you were created for a specific purpose—and that purpose isn’t fulfilled simply through activity and busyness. You might think
Feeling too busy already? Over-programming is one of the most common indicators a church has slipped into Maintenance Phase. We recently released our Q3 2018 edition of The Unstuck Church Report. Based on about 1,200 churches that have recently taken the team version of the Unstuck Church Assessment, 80% found themselves on the right side of the church life
Before you can lead others, you must first be able to lead yourself. I’m going to share one of my favorite lead yourself first hacks. I won’t touch on the what of leading yourself, simply the how. There are plenty of people out there telling you to add this practice to your morning, or to
