e-Soundings

Poverty has Declined!... Wages are Up!... Crime is Down!... Inflation has Deflated!...

This may sound like a dream for the poor and the afflicted.  It may be scoffed at by those who work day by day with the broken hearted and discouraged.  But it’s true! 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 →

Are you Sidestepping the Apocalypse? (...for a "nice" Jesus?)

Do you shy away from the passages that talk of destruction and death, wars and rumors of war, of stone falling away from stone and walls destroyed, of earthquakes and famine? Every year in November, we end the Lectionary year... Read more →

The Town without Trust (A post-modern parable)

Life was Hell in the town that didn’t trust. Arguments were everywhere, from prices in the drugstore to where one sat in the movie theatre.  Nothing was undisputed. 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 →

Dr. John Cobb says "The liberal church is dying (1)” ....Will you die with it?

In his recent book “Salvation(2)”, Dr. Cobb asks the penetrating question: “What is the (liberal) church doing that you can’t get without going to church (3)” (and he cites his own son as a example of someone who had a... Read more →

The 21st Century "Tsunami": Church survival with an "Ancient/Future" solution...

Is your church relevant in the face of such overwhelming issues?  Is there not only comfort in the midst of pain, but hope, healing, reconciliation and wholeness? Are you in touch with these 21st Century concerns?  ...Or are you (and your church) in a “bubble of personal perception” while major issues and concerns that drastically effect people’s lives flood all around you? Read more →

How’s your church INFRASTRUCTURE? ...In need of repair? ...Perhaps major OVERHAUL?

With the Covid-19 pandemic slowly coming under control,  we will be putting the local church pieces together in new ways again(!).  You and your church leaders have a choice: Will you rebuild the church of the 19th century or of the 21st?  In other words, are you seeing the church with 19th & 20th Century eyes, or do you have a 21st Century vision filled with wisdom and joy? 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 →

Is your church ready for recovery? ...or is it bed-ridden........?? (pt 3 of 3 on Post-Covid Worship)

Gather your Core group, ...your most faithful leadership... to Study and discuss: (By Zoom or in person) “Can our Church be Re-born After Covid?” A Plan of action for Church Leadership (#3 of 3 articles) Set aside two hours with... Read more →