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

A recent article sent by Exponential (host of the largest annual gathering of church planters in the world) reports, “Missiologists say that to begin advancing on lostness in North America, we need to increase the rate at which we’re planting churches fivefold.”  Wow, increase by fivefold!  I often hear people say something to the effect

I am thankful that the Indiana Ministries Board of Directors made a provision in the Employee Manual for ministry staff to take a sabbatical. A little over a year ago, the Board strongly “encouraged” me to take a sabbatical in 2015. We were talking about the demands of ministry and the need for pastors (and

I pray that the launch of a new year includes God and you spending some time dreaming about the ministry you lead.  As I work with pastors and churches, I am more convinced than ever that God wants to make a significant Kingdom impact through both.  Individuals and our world desperately need the wholeness that

December 10, 2014 Dear Church of God Congregation and/or Church of God Minister, You are probably aware that the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned state laws that ban same-sex marriages in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.  By doing so, the Supreme Court has basically established a new legal precedent that legalizes gay marriage.  A