In moments as seemingly mundane as the passing of Communion trays, we get to help shepherd our people by serving them. In doing so, we follow in the footsteps of the Chief Shepherd.
All by David Kneip
Becoming a Place of Beatitude
I can honestly say that I am very blessed right now, even in the midst of all the grief. Why am I blessed, despite my mourning? It’s because I am being comforted in my mourning by fellow believers. Would I call myself “fortunate,” at least in the ways the world outside uses the term? Probably not. But I am most certainly blessed, in that good biblical sense of “the state in which everyone has exactly what they need right now, thanks to God’s good work in their lives”
A Strong Center and an Open Door
I don’t think there’s one “silver bullet,” as they say, but I think that we can be bolder about some of our worship practices. If we are willing to “go big” on some central practices, they can help us have both a strong center and an open door.
We Know Not What We are Doing
What do I not know about my sin? Every time I sin, it is like a rock that is thrown into the middle of a body of water. A pebble makes small ripples, while a boulder makes big ones. My sin may not seem to be an undersea earthquake that causes a tsunami… but the ripples are undeniable, and it is impossible for me to see them all.
Accepting God’s Will, Relinquishing My Own
I think what this boils down to is this question set: Can I be actually okay with not getting my way? Is it okay if the thing I desperately want just doesn’t happen?
“I Think We Can Do This!”
Why am I confident that we can do it? We have each other, good resources, the willingness to do it, and more than anything else, I believe with all my heart that the Lord is with us.
Onboarding on My Mind
Your new hire isn’t just starting a new job, they’re joining your outpost of God’s kingdom, and we want to take intentional steps to help them succeed.
Companions for the Journey: John Chrysostom
I am convinced that John’s life and ministry can be an example for all of us to proclaim biblical values in our context while remaining connected to our people and culture.
Hard Hats in the Church
Sometimes we exalt others for their skill in ministry, whether as great preachers or talented musicians or wonderful prayer leaders, but we end up exalting the person rather than remembering to give thanks to the God who gave those gifts.
Ten Top Articles from 2022
Ten top articles from 2022.
Joy in Togetherness
If I may be direct: see if you can find ways to encourage your people to enjoy togetherness. God is a master of bringing renewal to a dry and weary land, and the same is true with dry and weary hearts.
Event Spotlight: ElderLink Arkansas
We recently sat down for virtual conversations with our church host (Chris Benjamin) and our breakout session leaders (Mark Hamilton, Grady King, John Knox, Roland Orr, and David Wray).
Companions for the Journey: Polycarp of Smyrna
It’s so easy to think of others as our enemies. We can give in to the impulse to demonize, to withdraw, or to insult. What if we followed Polycarp’s example by finding ways to show hospitality?
Event Spotlight: Ministry Amidst Grief and Hope
We recently sat down for virtual conversations with our keynote speaker (Don McLaughlin) and our breakout session leaders (Cheryl Bacon, Eddie Sharp, Dennis Conner, Omar Palafox, and Carson Reed).
Flying Like an Eagle
Have you sometimes been humbled by a pastoral situation, entering or exiting in a clumsy or awkward way, or struggling to get a sermon or initiative off the ground?
Reflecting on the 2022 Salary Survey
I think its value—and what keeps us doing this survey each year—is in the feedback we receive from church leaders. Any time a minister or church is facing a transition, the salary survey provides helpful guidance.
Companions for the Journey: Elizabeth Ann Seton
Imagine that you are happily married at age twenty. What would you do if, by age thirty, you became widowed and penniless, and a parent to a dozen children?
Companions for the Journey
We know the value of good companionship, right? For some of us, we have made it through the past two years of pandemic life precisely because of our companions.
Walking While Grieving
My challenge that day was complicated: keep walking uphill while fighting the wind and trying to find the next trail marker amidst the fog.
Event Spotlight: Cruciformity and ElderLink Houston
As we prepare for our first ElderLink of 2022, we wanted to whet your appetite for our time together. We recently sat down for virtual conversations with our speakers and host.