Seldom do I find statistical information encouraging. In fact, the opposite is true. But my reaction was strikingly different when Lifeway’s research director, Scott McConnell, shared with a group of leaders some recent statistical discoveries about churches. The stat that caught my attention was the way church members viewed their churches approach to handling theContinue reading “This is encouraging”
Tag Archives: learn
5 Reasons to Use Your Vacation Time
Just picture it: five days of watching your kids build sandcastles or chase crabs on the beach, exploring new parts of God’s creation, not having to clean up dishes, and falling in love with your spouse in a new and fresh way. Vacations can facilitate all these blessings and more! Depending on how long oneContinue reading “5 Reasons to Use Your Vacation Time”
Sharpening your axe
Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.” Do you find yourself working harder and harder in leadership with little increase in effectiveness? Many ministry leaders around Kentucky work diligently each week to further the gospelContinue reading “Sharpening your axe”
Those Who Undermine
Over coffee recently, a friend brought up the topic of those who undermine the work of leaders and the churches or organizations they lead. Previously, I had not given much thought to these individuals as a distinct category, though I had certainly met people who seemed to stand in the way of the progress ofContinue reading “Those Who Undermine”
Failure is not final
Did you know that one well-known product was named to remember the numerous failed attempts? In 1953, a fledgling company with a staff of three people set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents for the aerospace industry. After 39 failed attempts, they finally got it right on the 40th try. The rest isContinue reading “Failure is not final”
Stay focused
Understanding focus is like understanding the difference between a flashlight and a laser beam. Both are a type of light, but one is much more focused than the other and more impactful. Effective Christian ministry requires focus. Without it we may find ourselves dabbling in a hundred different things but not making much difference inContinue reading “Stay focused”
Three Steps to Vision
Do you ever wonder how things come about? Things like Christian colleges, seminaries, mission boards, and even churches. How do they come into existence? Take as a case in point Christianity Today magazine. The publication has been around for well over fifty years, has sold millions of copies, has commented on Christianity and the cultureContinue reading “Three Steps to Vision”
Happy in the Lord
What is your mood first thing in the morning? I had a boss, Mr. Ben Cates, who woke up with bounding energy each day with fresh ideas about how he could improve his business. He would occasionally call me at 5:00 a.m. to share some of those ideas. I do not awake with the sameContinue reading “Happy in the Lord”
Dr. Todd Gray 