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RESTORING A CHURCH’S SELF-IMAGE

By Cal

A few years ago, I became the lead pastor of a large, 65-year-old congregation that had gone through three years of turmoil and tension. There were arguments about pastoral leadership. The congregation was divided. For a variety of reasons, Sunday morning attendance had dropped by 500, finances had declined $10,000 per Sunday in general fund offerings and $2,500 a Sunday in missions giving, and relationships within the church were severely strained. A church with a strong history of missionary support, congregational outreach and loving care, struggled to come to grips with the new realities. There was disbelief. People were asking, “How could... »

REDISCOVERING LAY MINISTRY – 2

By Cal

While I was a missionary serving in Hong Kong, a Chinese pastor told an insightful parable that illustrated a powerful truth. An old man who was almost blind, was walking down a road when a strange thing happened – his nose and his eyes had a conversation. The nose was very critical of the eyes, saying, “You eyes are no good.... »

REDISCOVERING LAY MINISTRY – 1

By Cal

Tom Landry, the legendary coach of the Dallas Cowboys and a committed Christian, once compared the church to the crowd at a football game. He said there were 22 exhausted people on the field in need of rest, while 80,000 people sat in the stands needing some exercise. He claimed that in the church, a few “professionals” were doing all... »

DOUBTS

By Cal

A friend told me his baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, was going to win the World Series this year. I said, "I doubt it!" A deacon lived across the street from the church. He was always late for services. One day... »

RESOLVING CHURCH CONFLICT

By Cal

During nearly 50 years of ministry, I have been called to pastor churches that had experienced major conflict prior to my appointment as pastor. I was asked to lead these congregations through the process of healing. I’ve learned a lot. If... »

BUSYNESS

By Cal

Many people end up living like Tattoo, the young basset hound in Tacoma, Washington. Newspaper reports indicate Tattoo didn’t intend to go for a run, but when his owner shut the leash in the car door and drove off with... »

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