Church Leadership
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One Change to Consider Making to Adult Bible Classes
I am deeply appreciative of the elders at Central for many reasons. One of those reasons is that there is regular conversation about the Bible school program. In far too many congregations, the Bible school is handled with a “set it and forget it” mindset, but I am grateful that, at Central, there is ongoing discussion of how things should go. And that includes the adult Bible classes. In far too many congregations, adult classes default to one of two common ways of doing things. Either (1) they use a printed curriculum and basically just read the lesson aloud and fill in the blanks, or (2) they go verse-by-verse-by-verse-by-verse through…
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Two Preachers, Two Texts, Two Perspectives, One Suggestion
It is not unusual for me to get text messages. I’m reasonably certain that this is not unusual for most (if not) all who will read this. However, there was something unusual about two texts I received recently on the same day. In the morning, I received a text from a friend and brother of mine who has been preaching for a number of years. Like me, he is no longer a young man. That, along with the fact that both he and his wife are dealing with some serious health issues, has made it necessary for him to make the difficult decision to no longer preach on a full-time…
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It’s Not Just about Coaching Styles
A recent conversation about a couple of basketball coaches made me do some thinking. It didn’t take long for my thinking to go way beyond college basketball. I started thinking about how parents relate to their children, how elders and preachers relate to the congregations they serve, how bosses relate to employees, etc. As I thought about all of that, I began to realize that some individuals who are in positions of some authority focus on mistakes. The emphasis seems to be on what was done wrong, how someone didn’t live up to expectations, etc. A great deal of emphasis is put on things done, not done, or not done correctly.…
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The Funeral of An Elder
I was recently asked to speak at a funeral service for a man who served as an elder in a congregation where I had formerly served as the minister. About a month or so before he passed into eternity, I received a telephone call from this brother. He knew that his time was short. He had called to ask me to speak at his service. Since my family and I had left that community and that church about 28½ years ago, I was somewhat surprised by his request, but I told him that I was willing to do whatever I could to help. In 1985, there were three elders in this…
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Confluence
Today is a day I have been excited about for a long time. It’s not just because it’s New Year’s Day. It’s because it’s the first day of 2025. And that, by definition, means it’s the first day of 2025-2029. You might be thinking, so what? It has to do with our work at Central. For months, we have been thinking about, praying for, and preparing for the years 2025-2029. Back in October, we released a video entitled “Confluence” that was meant to share our vision for this five-year period at Central. The video is great, but what it represents is, I pray, far greater. You see, every goal set…
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What Is Your Congregation Known For?
Ask someone what the congregation they attend is known for, and you are likely to get some interesting responses. You might wonder if they are giving a view that is skewed–not out of dishonesty, but because they love the congregation so much–but the answer is probably something really good. “We’re a loving family.” “We defend the truth.” “We’re very friendly.” “We are known for our ___ ministry.” “We help people.” Now, let me say that my words today are not meant to diminish any of those. Read the New Testament and you will see that congregations need to defend the truth, be kind and loving, and have ministries that help…
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Yet
I recently listened to a podcast that really challenged my thinking. A key word (at least to me) was “yet.” I’m not sure if the speaker used the word “agenda” in his podcast, but that is exactly what he was discussing. To be fair, our Lord used this word because He, indeed, had an agenda. That agenda was expressed in these words: Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, As it is written of me in the scroll of the book. (Heb. 10:7) Other passages could be consulted which would testify to the fact that Jesus knew his purpose, had a divinely determined “agenda,” and fulfilled His…
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The Challenge Churches Don’t Want to Address
Churches face a lot of challenges. Of course, there is no challenge so great that it cannot be overcome with God’s help. If we follow Him, there is nothing that can hold a congregation back. I have noticed that there are a lot of enemies and challenges that churches will regularly address, and will do so with great fervor. They will clearly address sins that are bearing down on society and that are in the regular news cycle. The whole array of LGBTQ issues comes to mind. Certainly, these need to be addressed and the truth of God’s Word needs to be presented boldly. It is also easy to talk…
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What Is an EDA?
I’ve noticed what (at least for me) is a relatively new trend at politics events. To be honest, the trend may not be new, but a label may be. Now that both political parties have had their conventions, it may be safe to post this without seeming to take sides (I hope). At conventions, rallies, etc., there are always the usual types of speakers. Well known political people and other “important people” are part of the lineup. Most of them need no introduction. There are others, though, who do need some sort of introduction. Their names are not well-known and are probably forgotten not long after their speeches are complete.…
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PTP
PTP. What in the world do those three initials stand for? At times you may hear people (including Donna and me) using these initials, but you may have no idea what we are talking about. While PTP is under the oversight of an eldership of a church of Christ in Alabama and is intended to strengthen and encourage churches of Christ, sadly (in my opinion), even some of “us” may not know that PTP stands for… Polishing the Pulpit. Contrary to what may first come to mind, we are not discussing what I guess could be called a piece of furniture used in some places during worship services. Rather, what…