Sustainability — in farming and in ministry

Sustainability — in farming and in ministry

I often take long bike rides through the agricultural regions around Santa Rosa. The vineyards are beautiful, and I’ve noticed frequent signs stating, “This is a sustainable farm.” Not having farming roots myself, I wasn’t sure exactly what sustainable farming...
Do you want to get well?

Do you want to get well?

Remember the story where Jesus approaches a man in need of healing and asks him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6) I used to think that was such a strange question. Of course he wants to get well! What invalid wouldn’t want to get well? Yet one of the observations...
Foreign tissue rejection

Foreign tissue rejection

Every church, team or organization develops its own culture. It has a certain DNA in terms of how the people relate to each other, what they do, and the values they live out. Sometimes when someone new joins the team, there is a mismatch of that DNA–...
Three critical components for ongoing ministry success

Three critical components for ongoing ministry success

My wife, a very wise woman, keeps in mind three important strategies for maintaining long-term success in ministry. These apply no matter what kind of ministry you’re involved in, whether you’re leading a network of churches, organizing a small group service project,...

Check your vital signs

In medicine vital signs are key indicators of health. They readily provide a red flag for various types of problems—pulse, respiration, blood pressure, body temperature. What are the vital signs for your ministry? Most ministries have financial vital signs. That...