By Doug Talley Last January I was reading about ministry trends for 2020 and beyond.  A trend identified by one group of writers was, “There will be a large percentage of church building foreclosures.”  The basis for the trend was:  long tenured baby boomer pastors retiring which will result in people leaving the church (including some who

By Doug Talley Prior to mid-March, I often greeted people with the rhetorical question, “How are you doing?” or “How’s it going?”  It was a way of saying, “Hi.”  I didn’t really expect anyone to fill me in on what was happening in their lives.  I was just being friendly.  Then COVID-19 hit.  Now when I ask, “How are you doing?” I’m looking into tired eyes

By Jeff Matas The Apple Store is amazing. It is always buzzing with activity and packed with people. In the Fashion Mall (Indianapolis), the Apple Store’s sales volume per square foot is greater than Tiffany’s and Apple’s total sales per month is greater than Macy’s. By any metric, Apple far outpaces every other retailer. Even

By Doug Talley As we approach July, I have two concerns that are weighing heavy on my mind:  racial tension and pastors needing rest.  I’ve written about both in the last couple of Indiana News editions but find that my thoughts and conversations keep circling back to both concerns. It is time for the United States to

By Doug Talley I am a white male.  When I use the pronoun “we” to refer to whites, I put “whites” in parenthesis.  Otherwise, “we” is a general reference to all people. My heart aches for the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others whose skin color was a/the factor in the loss of

By Doug Talley Notice:  The following article is longer than usual. Hopefully, it will be helpful enough that you’ll be glad it is. “So, how are you feeling?”  I think I’ve asked pastors that a thousand times over the last nine weeks.  I’m starting to hear more and more pastors say they are feeling blah, unmotivated, fatigued, low

By Doug Talley I’m tired of the COVID-19 crisis!  I’m tired of hearing about people I know (or friends and family of people I know) catching the virus, struggling for their lives, and even dying.  I’m tired of friends and family members having to say goodbye to loved ones from a distance.  I’m tired of my new routine

By Tom Planck The story that is unfolding in our world today was unimaginable a few short months ago. None of us were prepared for the disruption we have been forced to embrace. We find ourselves in a historical moment that is reshaping our world. Andy Crouch released a fascinating article on March 20th, 2020. If you

By Doug Talley The COVID-19 crisis has met its limit for causing disruption.  It can’t touch the resurrection of Jesus!  And I for one am so thankful that it cannot.  In some ways it is appropriate for Easter to fall during the lockdown and shelter-at-home order as it reminds us of God’s power and involvement in our world

By Tom Planck In 2012, the Church of God state ministries of Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana and Healthy Growing Churches (HGC), an organization with the mission and vision to see healthy leaders grow and multiply churches, began a conversation. This conversation, based on how to accelerate church multiplication, lead to a partnership between the four