We are living in a challenging season. Since the inauguration of a new president, civil discord and angry protests have had many of us oscillating between despair and hope. In the midst of venting our strong feelings we lose the ability to listen to each other, and we increase the conflict and the divide between us. Hope so easily gives …
4 Keys to Individual and Congregational Disciple Making
It’s the beginning of a new year, and, like many of you, I am wondering how to grow both my own faith and that of those I disciple over the coming months. Sometimes I think we get it all wrong. We want to tell people how to live without really asking them about their lives. We unwittingly add to their …
The Christmas Hospitality Challenge
We are in the midst of one of the most festive seasons of the year. Family gatherings, church pageants and Christmas feasts are all around us. Yet, in the midst of it all, it is easy for us to forget the real meaning of hospitality and the commitment it calls us and our churches to. Ancient Hospitality Hospitality in ancient …
Seven Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas
It’s time to get ready for Christmas. Decorations, trees, lights and gifts are prominently displayed in the stores encouraging us to buy early and be ready for the consumer frenzy to follow. So how do we keep our focus on what really matters during this season? Here are some practices I have found helpful. 1. Find Your Centre I start preparing in …
10 Tips for Stirring Imagination and Creativity in the Church
Russian philosopher Nikolai Berdyaev said God created the world by imagination. We see it in the creativity of kids and artists, but in the church, few of us are encouraged to maintain our creative imaginations. Yet, to become the people God intends us to be, it is necessary. So here are some tips for stirring creativity and imagination in your …
6 Keys to Fruitful Life Transitions
It’s that time of the year when many of us are in transition. Students of all ages begin a new school year. Some of us are starting new jobs, and at church we are getting ready for the new seasons of Advent and Christmas. Even the created world is in transition, that season between summer and autumn when, at least …
5 Must-Learn Lessons from the Life of Jesus
The life of Jesus is at the center of our faith, yet often we seem to skip straight from his birth to his death when teaching discipleship. The result is that his amazing life story of healing, liberation and generosity has little impact on how we plan our lives and guide our congregations. So what can we learn from the …
6 Tips for Holy Waiting
How do we help parishioners use seasons of waiting to strengthen their faith? Summer is filled with transitions. It is a time to wait—holy waiting. It is a time between now and not yet, a time when we are very aware of what is behind us but not sure of what lies ahead. We wait for new jobs, a new …
8 Tips for Taking a Spiritual Retreat
The spiritual practice of retreat is one of the most powerful tools we can implement to increase our faith and draw us closer to God, to each other and to our responsibility for God’s world. The Bible is full of examples of people who periodically removed themselves from the world to draw closer to God in spiritual retreat. In fact, Jesus …
3 Ways To Celebrate Pentecost This Year
Pentecost is coming. This celebration (May 15th) marks the end of the Easter season, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the infilling of Jesus’ disciples with the power to go out and change the world. Traditionally, many churches pray for the peace of our world at this time. In a world divided by culture, race, and social strata, Pentecost …