Browse Blog Post
11/17/2009
147. The Wall
This month, the world celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. On Nov 9, 1989, the gates were opened and crowds of people from East and West Germany intermingled freely for the first time in decades. They began to pick apart the wall, stone by stone, to the utter astonish
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11/12/2009
146. Haiku
Some months ago I was present for a worship service during which the pastor opened with a lengthy list of announcements. The time given this task seemed disproportionately generous and distracting from the tone of the service. Later, as the pastor spoke to the children, he seemed to get lost in his
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11/4/2009
145. I Didn’t Recognize It at the Time
As a birder, I keep “a life list,” a chronological listing of all the species I’ve seen and identified since I first began birding with intentionality. Since starting the list in 2004, I have seen 457 different species of North American birds.
The first 100 birds I added to the li
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10/19/2009
144. Work Without Boundaries
I noticed a beautifully designed sign at the entrance to a store in the mall that said, “Work Without Boundaries!” The shop sold electronics—smart phones, personal planners, pagers, wireless devices, and an array of gadgets, communications tools, and new inventions that help custom
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10/13/2009
143. Pruning
Recently while teaching in a congregation, I recounted many of the scriptures about fruitfulness. Vines, branches, seedtime, harvest, soils, vineyards, trees, fruits—the Bible is replete with stories that lift high the notion that God expects us to use what we have received to make a positive
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10/6/2009
142. Recharge
I’ve learned to identify the power-hungry among us. I don’t mean the ambitious political self-seekers or self-serving control freaks. I’m talking about those people who meander through coffee shops, restaurants, hotel lobbies, and airport waiting areas looking under tables and behi
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9/29/2009
141. The Combination
When I arrived at the church to which I had been newly appointed, I found a stack of papers, notes and suggestions left for me by the previous pastor. He included the numbers to the combination for the old-fashioned heavy steel safe that protected the church records, checks, and petty cash. I carefu
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9/22/2009
140. From “They Ought” to “We Can”
Sometimes challenges seem so insurmountable and intransigent that there seems no way to make a positive contribution. How can one person, or a Bible class, or a congregation make any difference at all in the face of issues as huge as world hunger, poverty, child abuse, racism, or unemployment? Or mo
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9/15/2009
139. Called Accidentally
I’ve come to love all the bells and whistles on my iPhone. I download tons of weekly podcasts which I listen to as I drive and walk. I receive up-to-date news and weather reports. And I have an entire field guide of birds downloaded onto my phone that comes complete with photos, descriptions,
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9/3/2009
138. What’s in a Word?
Since high school I’ve had an active curiosity about words, idioms, writing, and language, and how our perception of reality is limited or enlarged by the words available to us.
Recently I heard a linguistic philosopher speak on these topics, offering several interesting stories. For instance
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8/12/2009
137. Come and See
While sitting in an airport lounge that had become crowded because of all the flight delays caused by a sudden storm, I couldn’t help but overhear bits and pieces of conversations around me. Two business women in their twenties were sitting in the seats next to me with their laptops, file fold
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7/27/2009
136. Impulses to Wordless Prayer
I’m usually more of a night owl than an early riser. This summer, however, I’ve found myself awakening early on many mornings. I step onto the back deck to fill the birdfeeders while soft streams of light emerge against the shadows. I enjoy the fresh smells, the glancing sheen of nascent
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7/20/2009
135. Cinco Prácticas—The Spanish Edition
I’m delighted to announce the release this week by Abingdon Press of the new Spanish edition of Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, entitled Cinco Prácticas de Congregaciones Fructíferas.
The road toward the Spanish translation began two years ago with requests from pastor
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7/13/2009
134. Milestone
Some time this month, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations will pass a remarkable and unexpected milestone as someone purchases the 100,000th copy. Several thousand congregations have used the book as the basis for sermon series, leadership discussions, small group readings, or strategic plannin
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7/6/2009
133. Logjams
I regularly run along a bike trail that has a number of small bridges stretched across creeks and small streams. These former railway structures were built with thick steel girders that rise high above the creek beds. I often pause in the middle of a bridge to look down for fish, snakes, or turtles,
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6/30/2009
132. Summer Reading
A few friends recently asked about my summer reading plans, and so I decided to write a blog entry that covers my lists for “recently read,” “currently reading,” “stacked and waiting to be read,” and “hope to read sometime.” I’m an avid, but ecle
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6/23/2009
131. Running on Empty
I start most of my weekdays with an early morning hour of writing at a Panera bakery. I order English breakfast tea and a bagel, fire up my laptop, and plug in the ear buds of my iPhone to listen to Mozart’s Requiem or Santana’s Oye Como Va as I write. Last week as I was pulling into the
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6/15/2009
130. Conferring Together
I’ve just returned from four days conferring together with the pastors and laity of Missouri United Methodist churches. Over sixteen hundred of us gathered to worship, teach, preach, serve, learn, remember, deliberate, decide, ordain, vote, commission, pray, renew, laugh, sing, cry, play, enco
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6/2/2009
129. First Appointments and Safe Landings
During the last couple of weeks, our family has celebrated various milestones, such as the graduation of our youngest son from high school on the same night as my mother’s 64th high school class reunion. This week also marks the 25th anniversary of my first appointment after graduating from se
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5/18/2009
128. The Five Practices and the Four Areas of Focus
A colleague asked me how the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations relate to the Four Areas of Focus that United Methodist leaders have agreed upon to guide our denomination during the years to come. Thousands of congregations and many dozens of districts and conferences have emphasized the
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5/11/2009
127. What’s Your Letter Say?
A colleague from another conference told me about a District Superintendent who has focused his teaching and leading on the Five Practices as he has conducted charge conferences, district training events, and pastoral evaluations. To sharpen the self-reflection of congregational leaders, the Superin
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4/27/2009
126. Silence Speaks
In my blog a couple weeks ago, I told the story about a deaf ministry in a congregation. This visit reminded me of another experience several years ago when I was studying Spanish in Costa Rica. One Friday afternoon I took a taxi to downtown San Jose. I visited a museum, walked through an
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4/21/2009
125. Blogs Become a Book: The Balancing Act
Eighteen months ago, I wrote my first entry for the Five Practices Blog. I’m now writing my 125th contribution. Hundreds of people receive copies of the entries by subscribing to an email blast that goes out after each new blog entry is posted. Other people find the www.FivePractices.org websi
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4/20/2009
124. As the Way Opens
One of our District Superintendents led a devotional with the Cabinet by recalling a period in his life when he enjoyed a significant engagement with Quakers, the Society of Friends. He shared questions that Friends reflect upon as part of their covenant with each other and with God. The q
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4/13/2009
123. Translation
The other day I found myself in the unexpected situation of serving as a translator in a coffee shop. The woman ahead of me in line spoke with a thick British accent, and since she was carrying her passport with her wallet, I assume she was a visitor with us. She asked a question at the counter
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4/6/2009
122. Obedience
The Christian year provokes us to reflection upon many of the key words that shape our faith. During Advent we deepen our understanding of waiting, watching, anticipation, hope, announcement. With Christmas we explore joy, new birth, promise, and other delights. Epiphany opens our e
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3/30/2009
121. Gifts
As I prepared to speak, people were coming up to introduce themselves, to welcome me, and to chat about various topics related to ministry and Five Practices. An informal line formed as people waited their turn. Suddenly, an eager young man (20’s? 30’s?) moved ahead of all the others, in
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3/26/2009
120. Promise
I do a fair amount of air travel with my work, and at least once a year the airline industry, the weather of the world, and the laws of physics, engineering and organization all conspire against me to create a day of miserable delays, cancellations, missed flights and unending exasperation.
A few w
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3/11/2009
119. Building Nests
As I was driving to Warrensburg on Monday, I saw a large Red-Tailed Hawk fly overhead carrying a long heavy stick. I smiled at this indisputable sign of spring arriving. The non-migratory birds of our area are beginning to build nests. A couple of hours earlier I had seen an American
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3/3/2009
118. In the Long Run...
My sister finished the Austin Half-Marathon a couple of weeks ago, and I congratulate her for a job well done. She and I have completed several full marathons together over the years - Chicago, San Francisco, Marine Corps, Disney, and Houston among them. I’ve run a few on my own, and she&rsquo
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2/25/2009
117. Forty Days
A lot can change in forty days.
I listen intently to the news every day, mostly on the radio as I drive. It occurred to me how much can happen in just a few weeks. The world can turn upside down.
Last September, the economy was chugging along with its usual rises, falls, bumps, and cur
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2/24/2009
116. Failing Successfully
Recently I heard a campus minister speak about some of the unsuccessful ideas her students had experimented with, in their attempts to reach young people and invite them in. She said that they had come to view “failure as redirection.” Each failure was a learning experience that br
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2/16/2009
115. The Field
“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.” (Galatians 6: 9 from The Message)
With binoculars in hand, I entered the field seeking a better angle to see the mix of sparrows
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2/10/2009
114. In the Midst of Winter
Last week, a huge ice storm hit the southern half of our state with devastating effect. For the last couple days I’ve been reading emails from pastors and relief workers about households without electricity, the closing of schools and churches, the irreplaceable loss of ancient trees, the
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2/9/2009
113. The Eyes Say It All
I heard my friend and colleague, Sally Dyck, preach an excellent sermon on Radical Hospitality which she began with the line, “It’s in the eyes. The eyes say it all.” She went on to tell about the way we look at people, and the messages we send by how we look at them. B
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2/4/2009
112. Somewhere Out There
Somewhere out there is a five-year-old boy who doesn’t know that right now plans are being made by a passionate group of Christian leaders from a church he’s never heard of to offer a neighborhood Vacation Bible School that will change the direction of his life. The songs he will sing wi
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1/28/2009
111. Five Temptations of Pastoral Leadership
A well-crafted book title captures the imagination, stimulates curiosity, and invites us to fill the gap between what we think it means and what the author really has to say. Recently I saw the title, "Five Temptations of CEO’s" at the bookstore. I didn’t pick up the
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1/26/2009
110. Missouri’s Largest Congregation
Yesterday I preached to the largest congregating of United Methodists in Missouri, a gathering of more than 2,100 persons at a single worship service. Any idea where I was? Manchester UMC? La Croix? St. James? Lee’s Summit?
Actually, I participated in the culminat
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1/22/2009
109. Paradox
I love writing. Nothing exhilarates the mind like the unexpected striking of a new idea. New ideas bring a powerful emotional/intellectual adrenalin rush, and I love to feel the eagerness to get a thought down on paper before it slips away, the quick abbreviated words on note cards, the
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1/20/2009
108. Changing the Metaphor
Sometimes a book changes how a person sees the world, or some part of it, forever. A few of those books for me are by Bonhoeffer, Frankl, and Nouwen. Nobody would be surprised to see the list.
As a student, I was also interested in languages, writing, words, wordplay, linguistics a
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1/14/2009
107. Balancing Act
I’m a rather eccentric journal keeper (as was Mr. Wesley, by the way!). I jot down daily notes into a cheap OfficeMax notebook, recording observations, experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Each New Year I choose a few things in particular to count and track, and I keep up with these in lists a
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1/12/2009
106. Connections
I’ve heard about the Congress on Evangelism for years, but last week was the first time I ever attended. I was invited to speak on the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, and later on Risk-Taking Mission and Service. In fact, the Five Practices provided the umbrella theme for the e
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1/8/2009
105. Wesley's Covenant Prayer, Part II
A continuation of my last blog post, reflecting on John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer, piece by piece:
“I am no longer my own, but thine.”
Stop right there at the first line. Imagine what this really means, and how our lives would be different if we lived accordingly. This means that
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1/7/2009
104. Wesley’s Covenant Prayer, Part I
This time of year, Wesley’s Covenant Prayer is prayed in many of our churches as part of a Covenant or Watch Night Service or as an element of our communion liturgy. It’s a surprisingly elegant and deeply moving prayer. Its simplicity disguises its depth; its brevity masks the unachievab
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12/29/2008
103. Talking One Another Into Things
I recently gathered with a few colleagues to covenant together about our learning for the next couple years. As you might predict, there was a range of ideas that people had about what we ought to study, what we ought to read, who ought to lead, etc. These reflected our diverse interests, learning s
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12/22/2008
102. Following our Hopes While Wrestling with our Fears
I recently heard a brief devotion focused on Luke 1: 26-38, the scene where the angels foretell the birth of Jesus to Mary. The pastor humorously reminded us that in scripture, whenever you hear the words, “Be not afraid,” then watch out! Something huge is about to happen.
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12/17/2008
101. Christmas Gifts and Christmas Offerings
As the ushers moved forward with their plates in hand during a crowded Christmas Eve service, the pastor said, “We’ll now receive the offering, which will support the apportionments our church owes.” There was no further explanation, no description of ministries, no connectio
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12/15/2008
100. Praying at Christmas
Last week during a bishops’ learning event on a college campus I took an evening walk and slipped into the chapel. I felt wonderfully fortunate to discover an excellent a cappella choir rehearsing and so I settled into a pew at the back. Immersed in the music, I felt myself opening to a
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12/9/2008
99. Blogs, Podcasts, Blogcasts, and Blogpods
I’ve taken some time away from the blogging world to recover from a short illness, to focus on other writings, and to keep up my day job during a rather intense time of traveling the state, preaching at churches, and meeting with pastors and laypersons. This absence from the blog has given me
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12/3/2008
98. Thank You, Kathleen
Tuesday afternoon as I was leaving the office, an email message from a friend in Texas delivered the news that Kathleen Baskin-Ball had died earlier in the day. Kathleen was a pastor in the North Texas Conference, the mother of four-year-old Skyler, and Bill’s wife. She’d ridden the roll
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12/1/2008
97. Staying Awake: The Practice of Spiritual Attentiveness
This past Sunday, I enjoyed the rare experience of attending worship with my family. Usually on Sundays, I’m on the road somewhere in Missouri, preaching or teaching. Some Sundays find me at hotel conference centers, speaking to large groups; and others find me at airports or on the
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11/17/2008
96. Recklessness of Faith
While attending a training event for bishops a few weeks ago, I heard someone quote William Sloane Coffin saying, “I love the recklessness of faith. First, you leap. Then you grow wings.”
At first hearing, this evokes a smile. Upon deeper reflection, I’m touched by
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11/11/2008
95. Praying for the President
Last week, I signed a Bible along with all the other Bishops of the United Methodist Church that will be presented to President-elect Barak Obama as he prepares to assume office. This is a practice that is repeated by the Council of Bishops with each new President. A few of my older colleagues
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10/20/2008
94. Mystery Visitors
A few of our churches in Missouri are taking an interesting step in their search for excellence in hospitality. They’ve contracted to receive in-depth evaluations through an extensive program of engagement with mystery visitors, using methods similar to retail’s “Secret
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10/15/2008
93. What’s the Boldest Step You’ve Ever Taken?
During the past week, I’ve preached two sermons on Extravagant Generosity for churches moving through the Consecration Sunday program. The messages were well-received, the spirit was positive, and I couldn’t discern any noticeable extra resistance, hesitance, or negativity because of the
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10/13/2008
92. Don't Let Worry Win
When serving as a pastor, I learned that I usually make my biggest mistakes when I’m tired. When I don’t attend to patterns of rest, sleep, exercise, and time away, and just keep grinding away at work day after day, I become more likely to say things I wish I could take back, make
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10/6/2008
91. The Battle is Won or Lost in Your Lobby
Last week as I was on the road with my work, I stopped by a specialty pizza parlor. I was by myself and had my journal in hand, ready to pen some notes about the day while I waited for a personal-sized pizza. This is actually a little out of character for me; I usually grab something extremely
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10/2/2008
90. "How Can I Help?" means, "How Can I Fit In?"
Last week I was a presenter at the Leadership Nexus event in Shreveport, along with Rev. Tyrone Gordon of St. Luke’s Community UMC, David Wetzler from Natural Church Development, Bob Whitesel, Brian Bauknight, Jessica Moffatt-Saey, and several others. At these kinds of learnin
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9/24/2008
89. Why Do People Give?
Why do people give to the church? What motivations and factors make it more likely for people to contribute generously, and what inhibits giving?
Recently I read an article by Clif Christopher in the Lewis Center for Church Leadership Leading Ideas newsletter. Clif’s ministry focuses on
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9/22/2008
88. Practices of Vegetable-ful Congregations!
Over the last couple weeks, I’ve heard dozens of stories about small churches focusing on the Five Practices, and about the new ministry initiatives that have resulted. A few of my favorite come from right here in Missouri.
For instance, Marvin McMurry UMC in St. Joseph began to think a
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9/16/2008
87. Why it Works, and Why it Fails
I recently heard about a church consultant who helps congregations develop long-range plans, strategic new initiatives, and even helps them evaluate whether they should build additional facilities, remodel, or relocate. At the opening of the conversation and planning meeting with the congregat
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9/9/2008
86. From Whom Are You Learning?
During the first Extended Cabinet Meeting of the fall (a day with all the District Superintendents and Directors of the conference), we reviewed some of the learning opportunities for the months to come for our pastors and our churches of the Missouri Conference. By the time the Directors and Distri
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9/2/2008
85. "Do Not Enter on Sunday Before Noon"
A few months ago I was visiting a church that is located in the downtown area of a small community. There are three or four churches on the same block, and it’s hard to tell where one parking lot ends and the parking for the next church begins. To moderate the traffic jam caused by attendees f
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8/25/2008
84. O My Lord, Please Send Someone Else
I’ve been working on a writing project during the past few weeks that has caused me to dig deeply into some scriptural passages about the call to God’s service. It never ceases to amaze me how God continues to show us new things through old and familiar texts.
I was rereading the
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8/20/2008
83. Practices and Programs
“We tried that program last year, and this fall we’re going to try the new Five Practices program.”
I confess that I cringed a little when I heard those words, although I was grateful that the congregation is using the material and I pray they find it helpful. Ca
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8/18/2008
82. Got Fruit?
I smile whenever I hear about the many creative ways congregations make the Five Practices their own. An original and locally developed idea has personal ownership, reveals imaginative engagement, and uses the gifts and insights of volunteers.
For instance, a long-time friend told me about ho
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8/11/2008
81. Do We Have to Do the Whole Thing?
Another question I receive about the new materials is, “Do we have to follow the Leader Manual completely and do the entire in-depth immersion experience, or can we pick and choose among the materials? Can the resources be used separately?”
While working with Abingdon Press on the new m
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8/7/2008
80. The Fall Stewardship Emphasis and the Five Practices?
Another common question I receive is about using the Focus on the Five Practices: A Congregation-Wide Initiative materials during the lead-up and preparation for the congregation’s fall stewardship emphasis or consecration pledge Sunday.
First, numerous churches have already done this by
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8/5/2008
79. Already Preached on the Five Practices?
Among the frequently asked questions I receive about the new resource, Focus on the Five Practices: A Congregation-Wide Initiative are, “What if we already had a sermon series on the Five Practices?” and “What if our congregation has already used Five Practices of Fruitful Congrega
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8/4/2008
78. Congregation-Wide Initiative NOW AVAILABLE!
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations was published in May, 2007. Before the end of summer, the book had already gone through three printings. During the fall of 2007, hundreds of congregations heard sermon series, led book studies, taught classes, or held leadership retreats on the Five Practice
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7/30/2008
77. Lost Coins
Our family just returned from a couple weeks of driving, meetings, driving, camping, driving, hiking, driving, seeing family, and driving some more. We covered over 3,000 miles, most of them in Texas.
But I’m happy to report that I’m 52 cents richer for the experience. That’s how
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7/24/2008
76. The Bear
I’m writing this while spending a few days with the family camping and hiking in Big Bend National Park, Texas. After driving over 600 miles to the Jurisdictional Conference in Dallas, we decided to simply keep driving for another 600 miles until we were deep in the West Texas desert.
W
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7/21/2008
75. Returning Home
As you may have heard, I’ve been reassigned to serve as the Bishop of the Missouri Conference for the next four years by the Jurisdictional Episcopacy Committee that met at the Jurisdictional Conference last week in Dallas. This fulfills the hope and request that I made to the Committee
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7/17/2008
74. Episcopacy and Itineracy
As you read this, lay and clergy delegates in equal numbers are arriving from fifteen annual conferences and eleven Episcopal areas covering eight states for the South Central Jurisdictional Conference in Dallas. While there are three days of agenda items, reports, and worship services, the on
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7/14/2008
73. Whatcha’ Reading This Summer?
One of my friends and colleagues asked me the other day about what I was reading these days. My reading lapsed pretty badly during the April to June season of conferences, but I’m getting back into the groove this summer.
Here are a few things I’ve been dabbling in:&nbs
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7/10/2008
72. Strong Youth Ministries and the Call to Ministry
The other day I was driving down the Interstate toward the St. Louis airport, when I pulled into a roadside rest stop. Just as I stepped from my car, a long bus pulled up that had a sign that ran nearly the entire length with the name of a United Methodist church from North Carolina. &nbs
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7/7/2008
71. Paddling in a Whitewater World
On July 4th, my son and I took a 15-mile bike ride on the Katy Trail that runs along the Missouri River near where we live. The river was swollen beyond its usual banks, its currents looking even more unrelentingly powerful than usual. In the middle of the wide river we could see a canoe
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6/30/2008
70. Passion for Ministry
At our annual conference this year, six pastors took turns describing their context for ministry, the challenges they face, and one or two innovative responses in their efforts to renew and strengthen their ministries. The creative responses ranged from starting a hip-hop service, developing a permi
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6/27/2008
69. Stay Back!
Recently I heard the sirens of an emergency vehicle approaching from behind me, and so I slowed down and moved to the side of the road. A large fire engine passed me with lights flashing. As it drove by me, I noticed a number of decals highly visible around the various compartments, door
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6/26/2008
68. Focus on the Five
This week I’ve finished reviewing the final proofs of all the new resources supporting the Five Practices that will be available through Cokesbury on August 1. This has been prepared in response to the overwhelming requests that Cokesbury (and I) have received for more helpful resources
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6/19/2008
67. Vacation Bible School
A couple weeks ago, I preached at a congregation that was preparing for the launch of Vacation Bible School. They had decorated the entire front of the worship center with special posters, furnishings, and props to establish the theme of the week, and the musicians and youth leaders invited al
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6/17/2008
66. When You Are Through Changing...
Recently as I sat in a pastor’s office, I noticed a small etched sign he kept on his desk. It read, “When you are through changing...you’re through!”
At first I smiled. This short aphorism reminds me of many I’ve seen before. I remember a poster from my high
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5/21/2008
65. Vestiges
Years ago while I was serving as pastor at First Church, McAllen, the congregation decided to repaint and refinish the entire sanctuary, including the pews. These pews had been installed in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, and were lengthy, heavy, and well-built. I hosted vari
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5/15/2008
64. Try!
I was listening to a National Public Radio story the other day about a nihilist poet, and the reporter read some of his poems. They were marked with existential angst of the most hopeless type. The more I heard, the worse I felt. As I was driving down the road, the poems were enough to mak
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5/12/2008
63. Seeds with Wings
As I was hiking with my two sons this past Saturday morning, we noticed a number of large trees dispersing their seeds in a most fascinating way. I don't know the type of tree, but the seeds were pea-sized with a single extending leaf-like structure about the size and shape of a large dragonfly wing
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4/30/2008
62. A Daughter of United Methodism
General Conference Notebook, April 30
The highlight of our work together on Tuesday was a visit from United Methodist laywoman and President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Security was tight, the building was secured by local police, and the President's entourage arrived as Liberian Bishop
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4/28/2008
61. Missouri Conference People
General Conference Notebook, April 28
I've felt great satisfaction (dare I say pride?) in seeing so many Missouri Conference people present at General Conference helping to shape the future of United Methodism. There are the delegates and reserves offering their service and leadership in remar
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4/27/2008
60. The Spotted Owls
General Conference Notebook, April 28
A mix of young adult clergy, seminary students, and older co-conspirators banded together before General Conference to gather the signatures of several hundred United Methodists to petition for a shorter, less complex, more stream-lined, and more effective cand
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4/25/2008
59. The Episcopal Address
Genereal Conference Notebooks, April 25
The sessions for General Conference began on Thursday morning with the Episcopal Address by Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher. Wow! The contrast between this year's Episcopal Address and those from previous conferences could not be more marked, and re
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4/24/2008
58. Opening Worship
General Conference Notebook, April 24
Ingredients: One thousand delegates and more than five thousand guests, a choir with 300 voices and a processional with 150 bishops, an orchestra, outstanding soloists and praise band, liturgical dancers, children and youth and adults of all ages, interpre
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4/22/2008
57. Eve of Conference
General Conference Notebook, April 22, 2008
I had a little free time from the Council of Bishops Tuesday afternoon, and so I walked down the street for my first visit to the Fort Worth Convention Center where General Conference will meet. People are beginning to arrive for various pre-confere
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4/21/2008
56. Looking Back, Looking Forward
General Conference Notebook, April 21
As I think about our ministry together as United Methodists over the past four years since our last General Conference, there are several ministries and initiatives that mark real progress. These are areas where I feel we've done particularly w
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4/20/2008
55. Getting Ready!
General Conference Notebook, April 20
I'm writing this from Ft. Worth, Texas, just a couple days before the 2008 General Conference of the United Methodist Church begins. The Council of Bishops holds its spring meeting in conjunction with General Conference, and so we've already begun our work.
Th
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4/17/2008
54. Rubik's Cube
Last summer my older son bought a Rubik's cube. He'd heard me talk about them before and he decided to try one for himself. He opened the package and handed me the instructions to hold onto, and then began to work on the puzzle. In just a few minutes, the cube was all mixed up and
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4/16/2008
53. Labyrinth
While staying at a retreat center recently, I took a morning hike to search for birds with my binoculars in hand. Along the path, I came to an outdoor worship area and a large outdoor rock-lined labyrinth. I've seen labyrinths before at conference gatherings, clergy retreats, and spiritual
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4/11/2008
52. A Simple Invitation
Last evening I stopped by a small business and was assisted by a young man who had to take some information from me - name, address, employment, etc. When I said I worked for the United Methodist Church, he smiled and said, "Really? I'm United Methodist, too. I grew up in the Metho
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4/8/2008
51. Withdrawing from Parish Ministry?
In preparation for General Conference, the current Circuit Rider magazine (Feb/Mar/Apr '08) has a series of articles about the global nature of the church. I enjoyed reading the diverse perspectives, but was particularly struck by a single sentence in the article by Lyle Schaller. Schaller has
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4/2/2008
50. Learning from Young Pastors
Lovett Weems of the Lewis Leadership Center has helped draw attention to the critical shortage of younger adult pastors throughout our connection. When I first entered ministry, more than 15% of clergy were under the age of 35. Now the number of commissioned or ordained clergy under thirty-five in o
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3/31/2008
49. Easter Celebrations!
On Easter Sunday, I attended a couple different churches in St. Louis with my family. What a delight and joy! We heard great music and wonderful stories and reflections about the meaning and power of Christ's resurrection. We even shared in the launch of a new birth, the beginning of a con
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3/20/2008
48. After Easter
As I’m writing this, I’m preparing for the end of Holy Week and for Easter Sunday. For more than twenty-five years as I served as pastor, this was one of the busiest, most intense, most rewarding, most emotional, most exhausting, most spiritually challenging, moving, and exhilarating weeks of
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3/10/2008
47. The Pleasure of Preaching
Some weeks ago, I was attending a worship service that was alive and engaging, wonderfully honest and authentic. The whole congregation seemed connected and focused, even the children. Everyone seemed to lean into the service with great anticipation, and you could tell that people were attentive as
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3/3/2008
46. The Soul's Sincere Desire...
I’ve enjoyed the privilege of preaching nine times over the last three weeks in wonderfully diverse congregational settings - churches large and small, suburban, urban, and rural. Each of these congregations offers worship that is alive, engaging, challenging and passionate. The services
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2/29/2008
45. It's Worth It!
As I’m typing this, I’m sitting in a university concert hall. My teenage son is rehearsing Carmina Burana with a several-hundred member choir. Since I will miss the actual performance because I’ll be out of town, I’ve been attending the rehearsals with him. The music is powerful, the sing
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2/27/2008
44. On Redeeming Time
Remember that movie with Tom Hanks where he gets snagged with immigration issues, and ends up living in an airport terminal for months? Well, that’s what I felt like this past week. I intended a quick in-and-out trip to Newark to visit with clergy and laity about the Five Practices
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2/22/2008
43. Losing Sleep and Windows of Opportunity
The other day I was speaking about the Five Practices to pastors and laypersons from the GateWay North District of the Greater New Jersey Conference. (This is the most diverse district of the United Methodist Church in the US, offering ministries with eleven language and ethnic groups!). A
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2/20/2008
42. Roast Duck and Getting Things Done
As I was enjoying dinner with some lay members of the conference the other day, one of them asked about some of my hopes and plans for the future of Missouri United Methodism. I outlined what I have repeated so many times before, including a special emphasis on new church starts, creating a culture
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2/18/2008
41. What Does it Mean?
I’m a birder, and during this time of the year I enjoy counting the hawks along the roadside as I drive from church to church and from speaking engagement to speaking engagement. In some areas of Missouri, I can count hundreds of Red-Tailed Hawks in single day’s drive, perched upright on tall
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2/13/2008
40. The Road from Inspiration to Fruition
While driving this past weekend to a Bishop’s Confirmation Days event in St. Louis, I made a brief stop at a roadside rest area. As I walked around in the crisp morning air, I paused to read an historical marker commemorating the Interstate Highway system. It told a story I’d never heard before
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2/11/2008
39. Ordinary Churches, Extraordinary Responses
Most of you have read about the tragic events that took place in the St. Louis community of Kirkwood, Missouri. A gunman shot two police officers, several city council members and city staff, and the mayor. Before the bloodshed ended, six persons were dead, and several others seriously wou
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2/6/2008
38. Taking Up, Giving Up, or Fasting for Lent?
As a teenager, I recall the pastor at our church distinguishing our United Methodist practices from the Catholic majority in the community by encouraging us to “take up” something for Lent instead of “giving up” something for Lent. Then he would invite us to put an additional devotional readin
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2/1/2008
37. Assessing Hands-On Mission Projects
While attending a recent meeting, I had a delightful opportunity to renew an old friendship, and to catch up on her various ministries as a layperson in a large congregation. She has a heart for missions, and offers her time, talent, leadership, and support to numerous excellent local church a
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1/30/2008
36. The Fruit of Someone's Ministry
The College of Bishops met in Dallas the last couple days, and one evening after dark I found myself walking by the Perkins School of Theology Chapel. I felt pulled inside, and soon found myself sitting alone on one of the pews facing the chancel, focused on the cross so beautifully lit in a manor t
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1/25/2008
35. What's Your System for Reaching People?
Recently a clergy friend loaned me a CD of a talk by Andy Stanley about ministry systems. I haven’t read much of Stanley’s work, but I appreciated some of the stories he told. For instance, he described “the system” in his family for getting the garbage taken out. Each Wednes
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1/24/2008
34. Myriad Expressions of Ministry
This past Saturday, more than 70 lay ministers gathered from across the state of Missouri at our Conference Center in Columbia (in the 7 degree weather!) for a day of training. I was asked to teach on the Five Practices, and enjoyed a couple hours of conversation and engagement about local chu
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1/22/2008
33. Five Practices as a Lenten Book Study
Several pastors and laypersons have recently told me about their plans to focus on the Five Practices as a Lenten series or study. Some have asked if there are any special resources for this. In short, I’m not aware of anything focused on the Five Practices that is particularly written or
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1/18/2008
32. Why are the Five Practices Working?
This past week I spent eleven hours one day with a film crew and an editor from the United Methodist Publishing House taping seven segments of about 7 minutes each on the Five Practices. These will form part of a packet of resources to assist local churches in moving the language of the practi
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1/17/2008
31. Looking Through the Binoculars, or At the Binoculars?
I’m an avid birder, and I always enjoy sharing my hobby with others (in fact, you can see my bird photos at www.pbase.com/mobish). When my sons were young, we’d go exploring by canoe and kayak, looking for birds. I remember teaching them how to use binoculars, and how to go through the careful
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1/14/2008
30. That's My Seat!
A few weeks ago I arrived early for a worship service and took my seat in the near-empty sanctuary to reflect, pray, and prepare for the service. No one sat within five or six pews of me as I quietly listened to the musicians rehearse, but I do not feel alone or unwelcome. Then an older wo
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1/9/2008
29. What Does a Bishop Do? Reflections on Activity and Achievement
Within the world of United Methodism, many people know about the work and ministry of bishops. Bishops are often treated with great deference, sometimes regaled against, frequently respected, and many times fairly unknown to the members and pastors of a conference. As in chess, many bishops are
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1/7/2008
28. Signs of Fruitfulness Project
Every time I go to the doctor, the visit begins with a familiar ritual. It doesn’t matter if I’m there for a flu shot, a sore throat, a general check up, an unexplained pain, a twisted ankle, or a serious illness. The visit begins with cuffing my arm, taking my temperature, cou
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1/3/2008
27. New Year's Reading List
What do you give the person who’s hard to buy for? Evidently, the answer in my case is Books! During the last couple weeks, I’ve been given a number of books, and offered a number of suggestions for books that I just have to read. My “Unread” book-stack is gro
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12/21/2007
26. Pray for Peace
The other day as I was driving down a city street, I noticed a car that had a bumper sticker that read simply, “Pray for Peace.” When we approached a stop light, I pulled up beside the car and saw that the driver wore the sandy brown camouflage uniform of the U.S. Army.
I suppose that
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12/17/2007
25. Five Practices in Europe and Eurasia Churches
A District Superintendent from Serbia moved to the microphone and began to tell the story of one of her congregations that was offering exemplary Risk-taking Mission and Service toward alcoholics and their families. We all listened for the voices of our translators through headphones as she tol
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12/14/2007
24. Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!
There was a practice I first developed while serving as a pastor that I continue now as a Bishop. Before each sermon, I offer a brief word of welcome to everyone. When I served as a senior pastor at a large congregation, I often did not have a speaking role in the worship service until I stood
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12/11/2007
23. Make it Personal at Christmas
Every December, the average attendance rises in our churches. There’s something about the season, the special music, and the cultural vestiges of the meaning of Christ’s birth that causes more people to attend than in November or October. And Christmas Eve usually brings a crowd, (even in a sma
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12/10/2007
22. Young Adult Clergy: Our "Endangered Species"
Another of Lovett Weems’ “Provocative Questions” (see previous post, or access Lovett’s website) is “Shall we declare young United Methodist clergy as an endangered species?”
Once more there was chuckling among the Bishops at the Council meeting. But I wasn’t laughing; instead I was shouting o
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12/7/2007
21. "Funf Praktiken..."
As you read this, I have just returned from Germany for a few brief days to lead a meeting of the Extended Cabinets of Germany, Eurasia, Central and Southern Europe, and Nordic and Baltic Episcopal Areas of the United Methodist Church in discussions about the Five Practices of Fruitful Congrega
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12/4/2007
20. The Only Sunday that Counts
A few months ago I heard about a woman who was going through a rough time in her personal and professional life, and in her search for connections, hope, and direction, she began to visit a few churches. After her first two worship experiences for which she came alone, sat alone, and left
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11/30/2007
19. Changing Our Attitudes about Christmas and Easter People
Every pastor and active lay leader knows about the “C & E” people. These are the inactive members, nominally engaged constituents, sometimes-but-infrequent visitors who suddenly fill our pews to overflowing on Christmas Eve and Easter morning. They are the people brought by their spouses, c
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11/28/2007
18. And Are We Yet on Life Support?
Another “Provocative Question” Dr. Lovett Weems put before the Council of Bishops (see previous post, or access Lovett’s website), is “Can medical science continue to keep U.S. United Methodism alive?” At first, I chuckled with everyone else at Lovett’s humorous way of describing the aging of t
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11/19/2007
17. Just a Cool Story
So many people tell me stories about how the five practices of fruitful congregations have shaped their churches. I love to hear about big and audacious changes and new ministry initiatives. But I also love the simple shifts of perspective and practice as churches try new things.
The other day
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11/16/2007
16. Ten Provocative Questions
Dr. Lovett Weems of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership (and a member of our Missouri Conference!) presented some observations about the State of the Church to the Council of Bishops, and again to the meeting of Extended Cabinets at Lake Junaluska last week. He entitled his talk, “Ten Provo
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11/15/2007
15. Practices, Acts, and Doings
While surfing the web, I came across some reflections about the Five Practices on a blog called “Come to the Waters” by a United Methodist layman, John Meunier. I don’t know John, but I found his thoughts helpful. He describes how the emphasis on practices “puts the focus on things to do, not t
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11/12/2007
14. Expressing Appreciation Again and Again
I recall a book called “Hardwiring Excellence” by the administrator of a hospital. The book chronicled the change of culture in a medical facility as it began to serve the patients, their families, the community, the poor, and their own staff more effectively by building systemic practices tha
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11/9/2007
13. What's in it for Me?
I remember a study that indicated that 93% of the members of a mainline denomination considered that the purpose of their congregation was to serve their own needs. Before we judge those results too harshly, let’s reasonably consider what that means. It means “I want the church to serve my
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11/7/2007
12. Holy Week in November?
Our church staff was always looking for new ways of deepening the spiritual life of the congregation and reaching more people during the Lenten - Holy Week - Easter season. We developed Lenten Sermon Series on a unified theme or progression of topics; we offered Lenten Study series using books that
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11/5/2007
11. Would We Know What to Do?
Recently Paul Borden was visiting with our district superintendents and our conference staff, and he made a comment that has stuck with me. He said, “Imagine that you appoint a pastor to a congregation, and as soon as the pastor arrives, all the leading laity come and say, “Pastor, we represent all
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11/2/2007
10. Fruitfulness More Than Numbers
Andy Bryan wrote a good-humored blog entry about the use of the Five Practices in his congregation and among his colleagues. He coined the verb “to Schnase” to describe those times when he or someone else would use a quote from Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. He talked about “S
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11/1/2007
9. Reflections on All Saints Day
Kathy Leithner serves as a United Methodist pastor in Oklahoma. Years ago, we attended preaching classes together at Perkins School of Theology, and our paths have crossed here and there, now and then, since that time. She’s an excellent writer, and with the connections made possible by
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10/31/2007
8. Share Your Stories!
I’ve been covering a lot of ground recently talking about strengthening congregations and the Five Practices. During the last four weeks, I’ve addressed over 250 clergy in workshops, district pastors meetings, and small group discussions. In addition, I’ve preached or taught in congregat
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10/29/2007
7. Gone Googling
A few weeks ago, someone suggested to me that I check out “Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations” on Google. So I put in the title and was pleasantly surprised by the many accounts of churches using the book as the basis for sermon series, book studies and leadership retreats. With my curios
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10/25/2007
6. What Are You Reading These Days?
A question that several of my friends and colleagues frequently ask each other is, “What are you reading these days?” I always enjoy hearing about what books people I respect are reading, and many times their recent favorites become my “read sometime soon” list.
As part of the FivePractices.o
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10/24/2007
5. From Stewardship to Generosity
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of speaking at the Pre-Institute Workshops at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, near Kansas City. Church of the Resurrection, under the leadership of Adam Hamilton, has become one of the largest United Methodist congr
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10/23/2007
4. Learning Pastors, Learning Congregations
I asked a well-known church consultant about evaluations for pastors, superintendents, and bishops. What are the basic elements? His answer intrigued me. He said that the most useful evaluations, no matter how many questions or what style of questions they use, come down to thr
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10/22/2007
3. Lumpers and Splitters, or Why Five?
Think about all the books that have numbers in their titles---seven habits, five steps, twelve keys, three secrets. Ever wonder how the authors arrive at such a number? Life usually isn’t as clear cut and nearly packaged as that, and most organizations and processes are extraordinarily c
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10/8/2007
2. Why Practices?
Ever watch young little league baseball players practice? What do they do? They throw the ball into the grass so that their teammates can practice scooping up "grounders." They throw the ball around the bases in various permutations, from third to second to first to short stop to pitcher. They
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10/7/2007
1. Welcome, Purpose, and Background
Welcome to the Five Practices Blog (Web Log, for those of us new to this form of conversation!). I'm Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church and author of Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. The purpose of this website is to identify and connect congreg
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