Saturday, June 20, 2009

Tony Morgan and Leadership

Just back from Tony Morgan's coaching network session. I'm not sure why I am there, but the rest of the people involved are bright, intense, committed ministry leaders from all over who come to meet with Tony once a month for six months to develop ministry leadership skills.

We spoke about several things, but one that really struck a chord with me was spiritual stagnation.

The basic goal of most churches is to move people from being non-believers to being fully committed and mature Christ-followers. For this purpose, we create processes that use the power of the Holy Spirit working through people to facilitate this movement.

Many churches are doing a decent job of initially engaging people, but then they get stuck somewhere along the line that leads to spiritual maturity. It's not because the Holy Spirit lacks the power to create the change- it's because God chooses to use the church (that's us, folks) to effect this process, and the church (that's us, folks) has dropped the ball.

Argyle is typical of this. We do a great job of Sunday morning- I doubt there is a church in America any better (bigger is not better- just bigger) at making Sunday morning a terrific experience. Our problem is that we have trouble moving people from the Worship Center on Sunday morning to the point of mature Christ followers.

I will be writing about details over the next couple weeks. Comment with you thoughts.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

This is a great read...

and you should spend a few minutes to enjoy it- a short interview with Robert Schuller.

Robert Schuller and The Crystal Cathedral have been around so long they have become cliche. Many of us (me included) never realized the impact he and his ministry have had on the direction of the church in America today.

I would love to hear some feedback and opinions.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Withdrawal...

Two weeks in a place so remote that there is no cell phone service, and with a dead laptop to boot- talk about going into withdrawal.

Several years ago we decided to see as many of the National Parks as we could. This year, we were in Yosemite, King's Canyon, Sequoia, and Channel Islands National Parks. Yes, we saw both bears and whales.

I am always struck by the great beauty of our country's wild places. As a Florida boy, it is hard to awe me with the wide expanse of the ocean shore, but mountains and canyons really amaze me. Everyone should plan to visit these places at least once in their lives. Pictures are great, but nothing can prepare you for the live experience of being in some of these places and seeing the work of the mighty hand of our Creator.

Check back for pictures- the laptop died on me and until it's fixed the pictures are stuck on the cameras.