Catalyst One Day Returns to PA!

Yesterday, we attended Catalyst One Day in Central PA (Lancaster). Over the years, there have been (multiple-day) Catalyst events, but in the last few years, they’ve also been conducting Catalyst One Day events. This was the second year in PA (we attended last year, as well). Yesterday’s event was the most-attended One Day event ever! … Read more

Processing the 2013 Global Leadership Summit

The words awesome, incredible, amazing, and even life-changing can often be over-used to describe events or experiences. But I wouldn’t have a problem using these words to describe the 2013 Global Leadership Summit that took place in the last two days! The event was attended by more than 80,000 leaders across the US at more … Read more

“Training Camp”

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been reading some books by Jon Gordon. I’ve enjoyed them all, but I think my favorite so far is Training Camp. I read it awhile back, but it’s especially appropriate now as NFL teams begin training camps this week! Training Camp is an inspirational fable that follows the story … Read more

The Call to Ministry is a Call to Suffer

Recently, I was preparing a sermon about Ananias and Barnabas, those unsung heroes who played a major role in the Apostle Paul’s life (he was Saul, at the time). I was particularly struck by Jesus’ description of Paul’s call to ministry. God sent Ananias to search for Saul, the persecutor of the Church, who was … Read more

You Can’t Do it Alone!

Recently, I re-read Exodus 18 where Moses receives a visit by his father-in-law, Jethro. It’s a well-known story, especially among Christian leaders. It’s often used to make a case for team-building and delegation. After observing Moses do all of the work by himself, Jethro advises Moses to find and equip capable people to share the … Read more

“You Only Have to Die”

Leading transformation is hard work. And, according to James Harnish, the cost is great! Several years ago, we read You Only Have to Die in a Doctor of Ministry class at Asbury Theological Seminary. Harnish is pastor of Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida. The book is written on the premise, “Hope is … Read more

Returning From Retreat With Hope

On Monday evening at the Bishop’s Retreat, Randy led a time of prayer and reflection, looking at 1 Kings 19.1-9a. He asked “What are you running from?” and “What are you running to?” On Tuesday evening, I concluded our look at Elijah with 1 Kings 19.9b-15a, which begins with Elijah in a cave where he … Read more

Finding Hope in God

Last night, at the end of the first session of our Bishop’s Retreat, I led our clergy family in a time of prayer and reflection. Here’s the gist of what I said. Leadership and ministry often involves a lot of running. Unfortunately, too much running makes it hard to have a healthy soul! And, a … Read more

Bishop William Willimon To Speak at Bishop’s Retreat!

Bishop William Willimon is coming to the Susquehanna Conference next week as a guest speaker at the Bishop’s Retreat for our clergy family. Bishop Willimon recently retired from serving as bishop of the North Alabama Conference. He has since returned to Duke, where he taught for twenty years before being elected bishop in 2004. He … Read more

Fruit Comes From Staying Connected to God

The sooner we settle the issue of how desperately we need God, the better! Jesus once said … I assure you that the Son can’t do anything by himself except what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. … I can’t do anything by myself.” (John 5.19, 30) Later, … Read more