e-Soundings

Look for the Lonely this Christmas …will they be welcomed?

It’s easy to miss the lonely and the isolated, even in a crowd.  Are you and your congregation prepared to make friends with the lonely? Or are you distracted by all the busy-ness of the season? Read more →

ADVENT: Already, Not Yet and Always

For a long time, my questions has been: "Why do we wait for something that is already here?"  Is it an example of Christmas-time "parental control” to make us behave?  Is it just Tradition? Read more →

Small groups are God's instrument to implement change

The secret to letting people know we are not only a welcoming church but that we are ready to walk with them in their life of Spiritual Growth is to have at least one Small Group ready for them to join when we meet them. Read more →

“Hello, I’m_______” ...Are you ready for new worshippers? (An "Extravagant Hospitality" Primer)

The Covid protocols for distancing, masking, and sanitizing are relaxing quickly. Barring any resurgence of the pandemic, live, in-person worship is quickly being re-instituted. As we slowly get back together, we’re finding people are hungry to gather again in worship... Read more →

“It’s Good Christmas Grief 2021, Charlie Brown”

Are you addressing the widespread grief we are all carrying in your messages this season? Are you being open and honest about your own grief? Back when 9/11 happened, one response was full churches. Grief, along with anger, confusion and... Read more →

What’s your “Follow up” for after Christmas?

With a little preparation, the covenant community of Christ, the church, can offer a safe and healing place, a place to start over again and incorporate important changes in our lives. It can a place where life can move closer to God’s dream for all of us if we can help it be that way. Read more →

Pre-Advent: A 21st Century Christmas Imperative

Let’s face it, Christmas has largely become a frenzied offering to the God of Consumerism. Shopping, wrapping, decorating, office parties, family parties, neighborhood parties with drinking and eating will all be offered up with a large dose of nostalgia, excess... Read more →

E-Z Small Groups – 3 Steps to Starting New Groups & Keeping Sm. Groups VITAL

   It’s no secret: Small Groups take a substantial investment in start-up time, leadership training and “overhead/maintenance time.”  The lead pastor is usually instructed to commit significant time or hire a specialist staff member. ... There are three simple and straight forward that if done enthusiastically, can drastically reduce the amount of overheard needed to keep small groups going.  Read more →

Have you had the "racism" talk with your kids?

Here's some great ideas for different age groups. Be sure to talk about your faith as well. It's a critical part of making sense of the world and responding with God's unconditional love and graceful forgiveness. A quick, only have... Read more →