Title of Book: Organic Leadership: Leading Naturally Right Where You Are, (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 2009) Overview: Cole suggests that the division between the clergy and the laity is not only unnecessary it is harmful to the church. Cole does not say that we should abandon the current system (p. 36, 66) but he … More Brief Book Review of Organic Leadership, by Neil Cole
Friday Musings Title of Book: The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations, by Ori Brafman, (Portfolio, 2006) Overview: The book is about “what happens when no one is in charge” (p.5). It is about empowering people by eliminating hierarchies that stifle personal responsibility and initiative. It is about the counter-intuitive notion … More Brief Review of The Starfish and the Spider by Ori Brafman
[Not original. This was passed on to me. Slightly edited, I pass it on to you.] No matter what our kids and the new generation think about us, those of us born between 1930 and 1979 have a lot to be thankful for, including not having all the “stuff” that today’s under 30’s have. To … More There is a Genius Born of Boredom
Great quote I had to pass on: “There is not one blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice.” John Calvin Reminds me of Rich Mullins song, The Color Green. —–
Passionate Proclamation People are starving for the grandeur of God. And the vast majority do not know it. . . . If God is not supreme in our preaching, where in this world will the people hear about the supremacy of God? If we do not spread a banquet of God’s beauty on Sunday morning, … More Passionate Proclamation of the Gospel is Not the Job of the Pastor (only)
Wednesday is for Prayer Sometimes a truth is presented in such beautiful, and pristine clarity that it takes your breath away with its obvious weight and importance. When I read Bill Thrasher’s[1] comment on prayer it hit me that way. Here it is: “Don’t resist helplessness—it’s the power of your prayer life.” He echoes the … More Helplessness is an Extraordinary Teacher
Tuesday is for Preaching How do congregations learn to share their faith? Taking classes? Reading books? Watching films or movies? Being personally mentored? All of these may have their place and I have certainly benefited from many of these. But I think the principle way that truly winsome and effective congregations learn how to share … More Pastor, Would You Show Me How to Share My Faith?
Monday Discussion Thesis #1: The world economy creates some barriers to gospel expansion. I am not saying that it doesn’t create some opportunities as well, but in this post I want to suggest some of the barriers. In a macro-economy like we have today, all relationships that we have with non-family members are in some … More Understanding the Times for the Advance of the Gospel
May all your teams win and if they don’t may you still find joy in Jesus. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4o0ZVeixYU
“To be nobody but yourself in a world that’s doing its best to make you somebody else, is to fight the hardest battle you are ever going to fight. Never stop fighting.” E. E. Cummings There are things that God places inside us to do, to be, to accomplish and nothing should keep us from … More To Be Nobody But the Self That God Wants and Created You to Be
