Matthew | August 31, 2008
Sunday morning is a wonderful time. I am excited to worship and preach. All week I have been preparing a lesson to give and on Sunday the delivery is due. Sunday is a predictive routine. Arising at the same time, going to the building early for prayer and preparation. I look forward to the faces, [...]
Matthew | August 29, 2008
Since I have been a member of the church I have noticed that some congregations or leaders have a mindset that the church is on the decline. This attitude is almost a badge of honor. I remember one congregation that asked me to try out for the pulpit position before I came to Waynesboro, in [...]
Matthew | August 27, 2008
I use to think that charisma was the ultimate style of leadership. Fortunately, I moved passed this paradigm to embrace the differentiation style of leadership. It is the style of leadership that was advocated by Edwin Friedman. The book “Generation to Generation” is the primary source for congregational leadership. Usually when a minister is struggling [...]
Matthew | August 26, 2008
This was a interesting book because of the interaction between Biblical wisdom and self-help literature. The book has an excellent study of the nature of wisdom. It has a long section concerning the new age movement. It deals with the concepts that are being pushed in society. The shocking part is how new age thoughts [...]
Matthew | August 25, 2008
The excitement was building. The word was out. The plans were made. It was going to be the Sunday of the Baptismal Celebration. It was the first time that this congregation engaged in such a biblical expression of the joy over a sinner coming to the Lord. It was simple and graceful; it was fellowship [...]
Matthew | August 22, 2008
I am working on an article on Missional Evangelism for a brotherhood publication. I would love some thoughts on this concept and methodology. It seems to me that there are some strengths and weaknesses of the style of outreach. It seems to ask the right question of “how do we interact with the present culture [...]
Matthew | August 21, 2008
Most people have heard the famous Fred Craddock illustration of the small congregation meeting on the shore for a baptism. After the baptism, all the members go around in a circle and say, “My name is Joe, and if you need some to mow your yard. My name is Mary and if you need someone [...]
Matthew | August 20, 2008
Congregations are looking for a minister that will help facilitate growth. There are numerous ideas over the proper skill set for a minister that will bring growth to a congregation. It seems that there are certain desirable characteristics that elders or congregations are looking for in the minister. The number one desire seems to be [...]
Matthew | August 19, 2008
Some congregations have a strange relationship with those who are extremely affluent in the congregation. There can be resentment and jealousy among the membership over someone who has been blessed with great wealth. Of course there are those who are affluent and cheap, but there are also those who are affluent and giving to the [...]
Matthew | August 15, 2008
It is another exciting weekend. Charity and I are going up to Nashville together. In Cool Springs, I have a lunch appointment with Jerrie Barber. I am looking forward to meeting this great minister in the church for the first time. After lunch, Charity and the kids and I will spend some time together, hopefully [...]
