Fellowship Is a Double-Edged Sword

People in the church are like porcupines in a snowstorm. We need each other to keep warm, but we prick each other if we get too close.

No Ideal Church

Anyone can love the ideal church. The challenge is to love the real church.

Away with Gossip

I once formed a mutual encouragement fellowship at a time of stress in one of my pastorates. The members subscribed to a simple formula applied before ...

The Top 10 "Last Words in Your Church"

Pastoral lines you may not be around long enough to regret

Sometimes words have to be eaten. Other times, they turn out to have teeth that bite. From an ...

Humor: United Divided Church

Pastor, on the phone: "Bad news, Bishop. Our church-planting team is divided on whether to call the new congregation 'First United Church' ...

Humor: If You Want Something Done...

If there had been a committee appointed, Noah's ark would never have been built.

Legalistic Strait Jacket

Nothing can choke the heart and soul out of walking with God like legalism. Rigidity is the most certain sign that the Disciplines have spoiled. The disciplined ...

Selfish Strife

The secret of every discord in Christian homes and communities and churches is that we seek our own way and our own glory.

Combatants Can't Motivate

Combatants win occasional battles but seldom motivate lasting change.

Humor: God Is on *My* Side

At the board meeting: "So the vote is as follows: Larry, Ruth, Dan, Sid, and Marcia are for the proposal. God and I are against."