How Christian Is Your Community?
by Rick Edwards Longtime Christians are leaving the church and not planning to return. Sociologist Josh Packard dubbed such people the “Dones.” As Packard reports in the book Church Refugees…
Tag: Lifetree Cafe
The Stickiness of Experience
“So he [Jesus] got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the…
Power of Going First
I wish you could have seen it. Every year, we field test our new vacation Bible school program in a local church. Our team from Group leads the activities, leaders…
This is your wake-up call
beep…Beep…BEEP! Your alarm clock goes off. Do you… __groan and go back to sleep? __press the snooze button? __get up ready for action? How does your answer mirror your reaction…
To the Polished, Predictable Church: Surprise Me
Surprise! It’s one of the missing ingredients in today’s church. Most church worship services and programs have become so predictable, so varnished, so rehearsed, and so scripted that any awe…
We Don’t Talk About That At Church…
by Thom Schultz We talk about all kinds of juicy, newsy things with friends at work or school. But not at church. No. No. No. We can’t talk about that…
Partners in God’s Business
by Joani Schultz We and God share a mysterious partnership that grows fruit. We plant seeds; we and God do our part. Then we want to see immediate results. Not…
Things to Notice When Church Folk Meet in a Bar
by Chris Lane For the past half year, we’ve been encouraging folks from our church to bring their friends to the bar down the street. It’s not for the purpose…
Adoring Crowds and Ministry Success
by Thom Schultz “Our worship attendance has grown from 100 to 500 in just the last year.” “We have over 75 kids in the youth group.” Numbers. They’re the currency…
The Antidote for Judgmental Christianity
by Adam Bohlmeyer Earlier this year, I had the privilege to play a small role in the DVD release of the eye-opening documentary When God Left the Building. In preparation…
