Category Archives: Church Planting

I have a friend who is 180 degrees from me.  From my faith.  From my temperament.  From my interests.  From what I read.  My opposite in almost every way.. My friend has stereotypes about who Christian people are and what … Continue reading →

The first meeting of the group was short. Organizers used the time to help the group make introductions and start forming relationships. Most were strangers to each other. There was little group affinity because of its design. An accurate social … Continue reading →

The nursing staff at the hospice was having their weekly case review meeting.  One of their client’s had asked if the hospice chaplain (me) could come for a visit. The patient’s daughter answered the door.  “Mom’s back here; is it … Continue reading →

My old office had a nice desk and a comfy sofa. My books lined three walls. An assistant provided helpful support and freed me from menial tasks. My office was the perfect place, I thought, to allow ideas to percolate … Continue reading →

If there was prevailing mood in our nation today, it would be cynicism or pessimism. Both issue from a dark belief that there is nothing pure, good, altruistic, or hopeful in this life.  In this perspective, every person with an … Continue reading →

Several years ago I was at a family therapy conference, where a therapist was talking about how he dealt with “stuck” people.  In short, he would ask a stuck couple to take another couple under their wing, telling them how … Continue reading →

At 6:45 on Sunday morning Playhouse Merced doesn’t look like a church home. Lights are off. Air is stale. Dead leaves and cigarette butts from the parking lot collect around the entry door. Costumes hang limply in the dressing rooms. … Continue reading →

My church planting mentor made a recommendation as we were about to make our move to a new community.  “Make sure you have 10 points of contact in your new town – where you get your hair cut, where you … Continue reading →

“I used to be able to put God on a shelf, but I can’t do that anymore.”  One of the things I’ve learned as a church planter is that personal change cannot be forced, controlled, or hurried.