by Dennis Bickers | Nov 30, 2016 | Opinion
I assisted dozens of churches as they sought a new pastor during my 14 years serving as a judicatory minister. It was always a challenge to find a pastor for smaller churches, and it became increasingly more difficult to find pastors for medium and larger churches as...
by John D. Pierce | Nov 29, 2016 | Opinion
By John D. Pierce After addressing a pertinent issue directly and boldly I sometimes receive much appreciated affirmation for being courageous. But the opportunity to write in such an open, unrestricted way is more the result of the freedom granted by those who...
by Jon Kuhrt | Nov 29, 2016 | Opinion
A heated debate broke out recently in my church. Pastor Phil Robinson and I were discussing our mission as a church by addressing two questions: 1. Should we emphasize proclamation or social action? 2. Which is more important: What the church says or what it does? As...
by John D. Pierce | Nov 28, 2016 | Opinion
Giving Tuesday (Nov. 29) comes on the heels of the busiest in-store and online shopping sprees. When Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive, he wasn’t referring to more sweaters and ties for those with already bulging closets. Personal generosity fuels...
by Dennis Bickers | Nov 28, 2016 | Opinion
I am a proponent of strong pastoral leadership. I don’t believe in dictatorial, controlling leadership, but I do believe one of the reasons why churches struggle today is because of a lack of strong leadership from pastors. I believe in discerning God’s...
by Ron Rolheiser | Nov 25, 2016 | Opinion
One of the wonderful features of young children is their emotional honesty. They don’t hide their feeling or wants. They have no subtlety. When they want something, they simply demand it. They holler. They cry. They snatch things from each other. And they...
