If you lead people in any way: in a church, a business, or a team, those you lead will screw up, fail, and often disappoint you. When that happens, and that volunteer or team member needs correction, when is the best time to correct? It could be a reprimand or a teachable moment. In the…
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Karl Vaters: Free Tech For Small Churches
We are living more of our lives online than ever before. And our online time will increase for some time before it levels off. While there are certainly a lot of downsides to this, there are also huge upsides that every church can take advantage of. With people spending an average of five hours a…
All Ministry Requires Supernatural Power
"Whether counseling, preaching, witnessing, or parenting, all Christian ministry ought to be done with profound dependence on God. We desperately need supernatural power. Understanding this changes everything." Jake serves in the church’s counseling ministry. He meets weekly with a young man who has a porn problem. They read Scripture and pray together. The counselee feels…
10 Mistakes Novice Preachers Make
Over the years I’ve coached dozens of novice preachers. It usually takes years of development and practice to become a really good preacher. Along the way, there are numerous mistakes to overcome. The following is a list of the top ten mistakes that, in my observation, are the most common. If you’re struggling with any…
Sometimes It’s OK to Let a Church Die
A lot of energy and money can go into keeping a church on life support. But what if it would be better to let that church experience death with dignity so that it can have a lasting legacy? A dying church doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a failing church. Should you let a church die?…
Technology: Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should
I’m fascinated as I watch folks using technology across the social spectrum. I see folks at the airport fumbling with getting their boarding pass on their phone, I see folks at the checkout line trying to use Apple Pay, I see folks at the gas station trying to get the pump to accept their payment…
