Not My Fault

When someone opposes us, it's all too easy to consider that person the evil one.

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 ...

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.

A Simple "No" Would Suffice

"Officially, the results of the vote are forty 'yes,' seven 'no,' and one 'over my dead body.' "

Where the Line Is

To applaud the will of God, to do the will of God, even to fight for the will of God is not difficult ... until it comes at cross-purposes with our will. ...

Wrestling My Worries

Trying to break away from my worries was like wrestling an octopus.

"The Church Did This to Me"

When I visit newcomers, I try to elicit the-church-did-this-to-me stories, because nearly everybody has one.

Correction vs. Criticism

Expecting the precise scalpel of correction, we can get the blunt ax of criticism.

Over-Spiritualizing Conflict

We can over-spiritualize conflict; sometimes the issues are just about change.