I think it’s one of the most challenging passages in the New Testament. In Luke 15 Jesus tells a very long tale about two brothers. One is dutiful, attentive, trustworthy, steady and predictable. He’s the older brother. He does and says the right things. He’s the “good” son. The younger brother, in comparison, is impulsive, restless, seeking, selfish, and unpredictable. He’s no good (compared to the older brother)!  (more…)

I just finished reading, “Extraordinary Leaders in Extraordinary Times”  (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. 2006) This book offers the results of an extensive study of the most successful pastors of new churches in seven American mainline denominations. Unfortunately our denomination was not part of the study.  This is a helpful resource especially for those charged with the task of finding and assessing new church start pastors. (more…)

The experience across all denominations shows how critical establishing new congregations is to reaching new populations. The United Church of Christ (UCC) has embarked on an ambitious effort to start new congregations to increase their presence and witness among the growing populations in the United States. Some research into their past efforts is helping inform their future directions. In a report studying UCC new church starts over the past fifty years (1957- 2006), researchers found that 1,139 new congregations joined UCC (new church starts and congregations affiliating with UCC) with 824 or 72 percent still active today. The survival rate is comparable to that of other denominations. (more…)

I travel all over the country working with Christian leaders.  Everywhere I go people ask great questions.  Often I start a seminar by asking people to write down the one or two most pressing questions about ministry that they have brought to that event.  There is power in getting focused, and just being able to verbalize a question that cuts to the heart of one’s journey.

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