Sense of Call
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Easter & Ascension (Acts 1)
“Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1.11) Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations focusing on themes surrounding Christ’s resurrection and ascension. You can view more photos here.…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Forgiveness (Matt 18)
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” (Matthew 18.21-22) Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations focusing on that parable of the unforgiving servant. You can…
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The Puberty Stage of Ministry
It’s been a year since I had a sabbatical and eight months since transitioning from associate pastor to co-pastor. More importantly, it’s been about a year since I was in the depths of what I could only name as a crisis-itch-conundrum. It wasn’t so much a mid-life crisis, meaning I didn’t end up switching careers,…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Micah 6 & Stewardship
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6.8) For the past month, we have been focusing on stewardship and creating a new vision statement. For the past four Sundays, worshippers were invited to fill out the following, which said, “St. John’s is . . . Why we follow Jesus –…
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Going from A to C in Pastor
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Have no regard for his appearance or stature, because I haven’t selected him. God doesn’t look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the Lord sees into the heart.” (1 Samuel 16.7) I recently wrote a post about my personal journey in discerning my call. A…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Vision & Our Call
Creating a new mission and vision statement is a wonderful opportunity for your congregation to remember their own sense of call as well as participate in crafting the church’s vision. By having them reflect on their own sense of call and why they call your church home, what resonates can filter key words that shape…
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Sabbaticals, Crises, Itches, & Conundrums
I have now been back from my sabbatical for 3 weeks. In many ways, I am still basking in the restful glow of having three and a half months off to study, rest, and most importantly play. This sabbatical came at an interesting time in my life. I turned 40, which means in the eyes…
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Here I am!
8The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3.8-9)…
Still Waters 