Years ago when I was finishing up college and about to get married to Cindy, I got a letter from the mother of a gal I dated for most of my senior year of high school.  Though there had been no contact between us for over three years, the mother was aware that I was

We Can Do Better! Do you know that in the first 20 years of the Church of God Reformation Movement, from 1880 to 1900, that 66% of the recognized ministers and evangelists of this young, fledgling movement were women? 66%! 2 out of 3! Can you imagine? Do you know that today in the Church

This is part 3 in a series of articles on leadership (specifically women in leadership) written by Joshua Brandt, Lead Pastor of The Gathering in Muncie, IN, and Stephanie Collins, Next Generation Pastor of The Gathering.  As they share their ministry stories, you can’t help but notice the contrast.  I so appreciate Stephanie’s willingness to

Bob Moss provides the 2nd installment of articles in our monthly series that is championing women in leadership and ministry. Bob is the Chief Advancement Officer of Church of God Ministries. He is a former pastor, regional pastor (Indiana), and church planter. Long before I ever heard the word “egalitarianism,” I saw it being lived

As I work with pastors and congregations, I see a need and a readiness for transformational leadership.  Congregations are realizing that if they continue to do business as usual, then it is likely they will go out of business in the not too distant future.  To do church in a more effective manner (i.e. accomplish

I remember the gender wars of elementary school. As kids looking for validation of our worth, we guys would declare that we were the superior gender and, of course, the girls would make the same claim. We’d argue back and forth, but I don’t remember anyone ever winning. The arguments led to tension but not

This is the final installment in a three part series in which I am reflecting on the three month sabbatical I took from May-July.  If you missed the first two articles, you can read them at www.indianaministries.org. In this article I want to talk about what to do in preparation for a sabbatical to increase

A couple of weeks ago I began sharing insights that I had gleaned from my recent sabbatical.  If you missed Part 1, go to www.indianaministries.org. In the last edition I wrote about what I thought was my key sabbatical takeaway.  This edition identifies three more insights. Every leader needs a trusted and wise mentor to speak

As I write this article, I am in my third week back at Indiana Ministries following a three month sabbatical.  I cannot thank the Indiana Ministries Board of Directors enough for having the wisdom to include provision for a sabbatical in the Indiana Ministries Employee Handbook.  And I especially appreciate the 2014 Board telling me

As I write this article, I am less than two days away from beginning my sabbatical!  I want to express appreciation again to the Indiana Ministries Board of Directors for having the wisdom to adopt a Sabbatical Policy for ministry staff in the Indiana Ministries Employee Handbook.  And I want to thank them for insisting