Church revitalization begins with knowing your why, your reason for existing, the irreducible minimum that everything else either supplements or, occasionally, is at odds with. If you know your why, it’s easier to figure out what you must do, what you can do without if you have to, and (sometimes) what you need to stop … Continue reading »
Tagged with discernment …
Doing Something About Hunger
You may not be aware, our church is one of four that supports a local food pantry, the Joshua Tree Community Food Pantry. (Watch the video some of our kids made about it.) There are still hungry people in America: However, national food insecurity data reveal that about 45% of those struggling with hunger actually … Continue reading »
Picking Elders
It’s time to pick new elders. If someone on the nominating committee calls you and asks you to serve, and you ask what you have to do, they might go to that horrible laundry list in G-10.0102 that enumerates all the specific areas of responsibility held by Session. But that’s the wrong place to start. … Continue reading »
Stewardship Information
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.—1 Corinthians 12:4-7 Fall … Continue reading »
What Are You Doing Here?
He went … to Horeb the mount of God. At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” —1 Kings 19:8-9 Do you ever wonder what you’re doing here? I do. The story of the … Continue reading »