Last Wednesday, I posted a short list of 5 things that elders need to hear regularly. But this helpful communication cannot be a one-way street. There are many congregations where members feel as if they do not hear from the elders, except when (1) there is a change in the staff, (2) an elder is being appointed or resigning, or (3) there is a great need for money. While that may not be completely true, without intentional effort by the pastors, it can certainly seem that way. Further, if elders just say, “If you’d ever like to attend one of our meetings, feel free,” they are going to get virtually…

Telemachus was a monk who lived in the 4th century. He went to Rome and found chaos in the streets. The commotion was over the gladiators. He was amazed that four centuries after Christ had come people were still killing each other for sport. When he arrived at the Coliseum the gladiators were shouting, “Hail Caesar, we will die for Caesar.” He jumped over the railing and went out into the middle of the field, got between two gladiators, held up his hands and said, “In the name of Christ, forbear.” The crowd protested and began to shout, “Run him through, Run him through.” A gladiator came over and hit…

Balance. It’s one of those words we hear a lot in religious circles. Those of us who preach are encouraged to try to make sure that our preaching is balanced. Many times, our preaching is designed to encourage people to live a balanced life.  I think I learned a technique that will help our balance when I was visiting with an elderly brother years ago. Somehow the subject of my fear of heights came into the discussion. My elderly brother informed me that he had no such fear. In fact, I think he thought it strange that I did. Here was his logic. He asked me if I could walk on a board that was a…

One week from today Jim and I will begin our yearly journey to one of our favorite places – the Great Smoky Mountains. We go to attend Polishing the Pulpit, a conference for Christian people of all ages and areas of service in the church. I can’t say enough good about this gathering of people, so I won’t even attempt to do that. I would, however, like to share with you some of the feasts you can enjoy should you be able to attend. PTP is a physical feast for our family. Not only do we get to visit with some of our immediate family daily, we also get to see many people we…

If it were not tragic, it would be funny. That is this: often, the only thing elders ever hear from the congregation is complaining. If things are going well, we just assume the elders know we appreciate it. But let things start going downhill–even just a little bit–and we have no problem talking to our shepherds. Part of being in a position of leadership is understanding that you will hear complaints at times. It comes with the territory. But it really is tragic that too many elders only hear complaints, though they are striving to help people grow closer to the Lord and reach heaven. Elders are not perfect men, but…

The former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge once said, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” Persistence is defined as, “the quality of continuing steadfastly in spite of obstacles.” Synonyms for persistence include endurance, perseverance, and adherence. In our walk with God, Satan is going to try to do everything he can to stop us.…

I remember visiting a man a number of years ago who was in the middle of a project at his house. He made his living laying bricks and various kinds of stones on a variety of projects.  This time he was laying some stones of various sizes on the front of his own house. While I’m sure he took care to make all of his work look good, I’m equally sure he wanted this project at his own house to look very good. I’m also confident that he intended for it to last a long time. I have no idea how stones of varying shapes and sizes can be laid in such a…