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For Search Committees Only
Now and then, a church needs to go out looking for a new minister. This can be daunting and this can be exhilarating. For members of that Search Committee, it is usually both — stirred together with...
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Are you ready for a fight?
I had the pleasure last week to meet 60 courageous pastors and leaders from across the U.S. They were in town for my organization’s bi-annual Leadership Academy. (By the way, registration for...
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Overheard last week
A few of the insights I heard during last week’s Leadership Academy: “Any pastor with a two-year plan for church transformation will find, after two years, the only change is the pastor’s name on the...
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Looking for a consultant? Dial 1-800-SCAPEGOAT
Permit me to be a little honest today. Its not every time. But I know many times, when a church wants a consultant (or help from their region, conference or denomination), what they are really looking...
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Dial 1-800-SCAPEGOAT, Part II
Yesterday, I described the behavior of scapegoating that happens in many congregations. So what can we do when we notice this is happening? Well, as my wise friend Trisha Taylor said yesterday on...
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Do you prefer your sanctuary scented or unscented?
In worship last Sunday, I noticed some fine print in the bulletin. “The first four rows on the west side of the sanctuary are designated as a ‘perfume-free’ zone.” Reserved for people (like me) with...
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“People will forget what we say, but they won’t forget who we are. That is...
Photo from http://www.DWillard.org Dallas died yesterday. He was a theologian, professor, author, lecturer, provocateur. But more than what he did, he will be remembered for who he was: humble,...
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You’ve got a smudge of something on your forehead (A Reprise)
I posted this a year ago, but I love the poem — its summertime imagery right here in the brown slush of winter’s overstayed welcome –, so I thought I would share it again: It’s Ash Wednesday. Whatever...
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What not to say to your church visitors. . .
Last Sunday, I visited a church in my neighborhood for the first time. This wasn’t a church where I had been working. These people didn’t know me. I was an honest-to-goodness first-time guest — a...
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Live-tweeting all week from Leadership Academy
I’m taking a week away from the blog and live-tweeting quotes, photos and other fun things from Leadership Academy 2013. LA13 is a weeklong training event for courageous pastors and their leadership...
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