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Robert Schnase, bishop of the Missouri Conference of the UMC has written a book called Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations that’s making waves in the UMC. At Centre Grove UMC, our church council is beginning to work its way through the book and I’ll be blogging about the journey. The book focuses on five practices … Read more
While listening to music by FFH yesterday, I was especially struck by their song, “You Write the Words.” The song describes a songwriter’s struggle to write something new and fresh, something that would stand the test of time. The songwriter notes that songs like “Amazing Grace” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” have already been written. But … Read more
Yesterday, while Ethan and I were looking for some books in our personal library (too many are *still* in boxes!), I pulled out another book (a book by Kevin Lehman) that might be good to have on hand in the days to come. Fortunately, it’s not a book we’ve needed too much yet, but you … Read more
Last March I wrote a post called Making Moments where I listed some of the days we will always remember. Making moments is a good discipline. Most of us are accustomed to marking days like birthdays and anniversaries. But what about other days? What days you mark? As we near the one-year mark of some … Read more
Today is our 15th wedding anniversary so we thought we’d take this opportunity to share a bit of our story, specifically about how we became a clergy couple. We met at the Church of God Theological Seminary (COGTS) in 1992. Joleen had been there over a year and I had just arrived. Students were required … Read more
Last Sunday my sermon was based on the book of Galatians where Paul’s main point is that we don’t live by rules anymore. If we rely upon the law then we rob the cross of its power. We rely solely upon God’s grace. But Paul also says that this does not lead to lawlessness, but … Read more
One week from today is Inauguration Day when our new president will be sworn into office. Max Lucado (pastor and author) is leading an effort calling people to pray for President-Elect Barack Obama on Inauguration Day (January 20, 2009). As the site points out, 1 Timothy 2.2 says … Pray for rulers and for all … Read more
So … have you made any New Year’s resolutions? I am grateful for the new beginnings in life. Most often beginnings come with endings. The endings, I don’t like. But the endings are inevitable. The year of 2008 is over. It is done. We cannot go back and undo or redo. We now look forward … Read more
Last year, after we brought Ethan home from Korea (mid-February), winter was already well under way in central PA, but Ethan didn’t seem too interested in snow at the time. This year, Ethan’s first experience with snow was the trucks that come and plow the church parking lot, usually while he’s sleeping. It scared Ethan … Read more
In the summer of 1995, having graduated from seminary, Joleen and I were preparing to move to North East, PA to pastor our first church (as co-pastors). One night we were having dinner at my dad’s house and their pastor was their as well. Before he left that evening, he gave us some great advice … Read more