Sign Up For Blog Updates
Popular Posts
Categories
Recent Speaking Engagements
First Presbyterian Church, Aurora, IL
Congregational Christian Churches annual conference Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The Olive Branch Community Church, Toronto, Canada
Haiti pastors conference, Port au Prince
Community Fellowship Church, W Chicago, IL
First Presbyterian Church, Aurora, IL
Liderazgo E Innovación | Pastors’ conference:
- Quito, Ecuador
- Buenos Aires (local church)
- Lima, Peru
- Temuco, Chile
- Aurora, IL
Liderazgo E Innovación | Pastors’ conference:
- Tabasco, Mexico
- Zacatecas, Mexico
Jesus recognized the role good planning plays in life and ministry.
He said, Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? (Luke 14.28)
Unfortunately, lack of planning often torpedoes otherwise good ministry ideas.
Scientist Gary Klein, author of The Power of Intuition: How to Use Your Gut Feelings to Make Better Decisions at Work, offers a great idea he calls a pre-mortem.
Dr. Klein says that a pre-mortem can increase the chances that our plan will succeed. In contrast to a post-mortem that we often perform after a plan fails, a pre-mortem is an exercise that teams do before they implement a plan.
Published on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 @ 6:27 AM CDT
Comments
5 Ways to Deepen Your Integrity
Daniel and his three friends are some of my favorite Biblical characters. They modeled what it means to live a life of integrity, which is taking a beating today.
Several years ago James Patterson and Peter Kim authored the book, The Day America told the Truth. They conducted a survey by asking Americans what they would be willing to do for 10 million dollars. Here’s what they learned.
- Would abandon their entire family (25%)
- Would abandon their church (25%)
- Would become prostitutes for a week or more (23%)
- Would give up their American citizenship (16%)
- Would leave their spouses (16%)
- Would withhold testimony and let a murderer go free (10%)
- Would kill a stranger (7%)
- Would put their children up for adoption (3%)
When I read this my heart sunk. I can only imagine that since that survey over 20 years ago, the same survey would yield even more discouraging results.
However, Daniel and his friends show us these 5 ways we can deepen our integrity in a world that seems to discourage it.

Published on Thursday, June 13, 2013 @ 6:15 AM CDT
Comments
How to Make Boring Church Announcements Memorable
I grew up in the church and by my calculation I’ve heard 10,931 church announcements, or thereabouts. I only remember one of them. What did I only remember that one?
Before I give you the answer, I must confess that for me announcements are the most boring part of a service, yet mostly necessary. I’ve felt more stress from having to give them than when I’ve had to speak. I simply hate giving announcements. I guess I don’t like them because I see most people’s eyes glaze over during announcement time.
So why did I just remember the one I referred to?

Published on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 @ 6:59 AM CDT
Comments
8 Benefits of Integrity in Life and Leadership
Integrity is taking a beating today.
- 20 baseball players potentially being suspended for doping
- Lance Armstrong being striped of all his awards for lying
- The IRS apparently misusing its power
- The Justice Department being accused of lying
- Identity theft occurring to 1 out of 10 people
We live in a world where self-interest seems to trump character and integrity. And, pastors and ministry leaders aren’t immune to the temptation to spin, cut corners, or compromise.
Yet, the One whom we serve lived a life of integrity and He expects us to do the same in His power. Teacher, we know you have integrity… (Matt 22.16, The Message)
I’ve listed 8 benefits of integrity below.

Published on Monday, June 10, 2013 @ 6:55 AM CDT
Comments



