Growing up with both of my grandpas as pastors, I sometimes just follow their lead on what to do at church. I watched as the church I grew up in had to add positions to fill needs, and look for answers to problems that weren’t covered in seminary classes. Creative ways were found to improve […]

What does Café Du Monde in New Orleans’ French Market, and Hudsons Hamburgers in Coeur d’Alene have in common? Nothing and everything. They know the one thing they do best, and they do it with relentless determination. They have managed over the years to not get distracted by the pull toward the multiplicity of options. They are […]

There’s a little boy in our neighborhood named Mateo. Mateo loves the garbage truck. Twice a week, when the garbage men come, Mateo runs outside and waves at them. When Mateo runs outside to wave to the garbage men, they always wave back and salute. One day last week Mateo’s mom had a devastating day. […]

At one time we simply accepted as obvious that regular worship attendance meant that a person missed only when they were forced to by unforeseen circumstances. Like gentle waves on the ocean, attendance would rise and fall ever so slightly. Rather than the calm seas of the past, we live in times of rough seas. […]

Is it slick worship slides? Well-dressed families? Stunning stained glass? Perfect pews? High-quality music? Good looking and well-respected members of the community? What if your church uses old hymnals? What if the families are broken? What if the walls are sullied and the seating busted? What if the organ is out of tune or the […]

“Are you willing to take a short survey today about your online experience?” “How would you rate the app you just downloaded?” “Please call the number on your receipt and complete a short questionnaire!” How many of these kinds of requests do you come across every day? It seems to be getting out of hand […]