There are a host of reasons why we choose to worship or work at a church. Personally, I put a good bit of stock in the lead pastor and I’m not really talking about preaching. A high value for me in a leader is the way they treat all people (including their family), the way [...]
more...Blog Topic: Staff Relations
Youth Workers and their Pastors: Best Buddies?
I remember reading an article in Group Magazine where the picture was of a youth pastor riding on a motorcycle with his pastor, sporting a big cheesy grin. In my own interpretation, I heard the author setting these “biking buddies” as the standard for relationships with our pastor/bosses. While I [...]
more...The Importance of True Testimony with Dale Ryan
The Burner is sorry that he somehow missed this. The Work of the People interviewed Fuller professor and Director of the Institute for Recovery Ministry Dale Ryan about “telling the truth” when speaking about the Christian life/journey. Note the story Ryan tells about his friend who loved the church but felt it was too nice for [...]
more...Porn Ain’t No Thing
Slate.com features “Dear Prudence” as an advice columnist. In a recent letter, she waves off a woman’s worry about her boyfriends habitual porn use, advising, “I think you should tell your boyfriend his porn consumption is his own business and doesn’t bother you.” If you think she’s crazy, read through the comments at the [...]
more...How to Handle the Wait: Thoughts on Churches and Change by Ken Fong
I spent just over an hour this week interacting with members of Fuller’s Peace and Justice Advocates group. I didn’t know any of these grad students who represented either SOT or ICS and I’m pretty sure that, until I opened my mouth around that table in the brisk morning air of the Garth, none of them knew of me or my efforts these past 32 years at Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles (Rosemead). When it came time to hear from them, one of the theology students asked the question I’ve heard the most after describing the radical transformation that is taking place at EvergreenLA. “What can we do when we’re not the ones in the key leadership seats and when those who occupy those seats don’t want to change in order to become a more vital church?”
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