Last week I was one of a handful of pastors that received an invite to a day-long Church Board training session. Since then I’ve been reflecting on a few common blunders church boards make in decision-making. Here they are. Mistake #1. Decisions are made by the wrong people. When people get elected or appointed…
A lot of people have been asking me, “So, what is it that you and your wife are doing now?” It’s a good question with a complicated answer. And, depending on when you’ve asked me about it, the answer may have changed. As of today, here’s where things are at: If you’ve been following my…
I’ve had some great opportunities to get to know some new friends in transitional ministry. One of those friends invited me to join a network of Southern and Southwestern Ontario Christian and Missionary Alliance Church pastors. Since the EMCC and C&MA have a Memorandum of Understanding–allowing pastors from both denominations to move easily between the…
My epic journey at Hanover Missionary Church has finally come to an end. What started out as a temporary, part-time, position as Director of Worship and Creative Arts in 2006 morphed into the full-time Chief Servant role. Standing on the shoulders of giants I’ve been blessed. Thinking back just over a week ago to my…
As I prepare to wrap up my ministry at Hanover Missionary Church I’ve been reflecting on moments, relationships, and things that make me smile. Here’s a small list of my favourite things about HMC: 10. My parking spot. Not the one I use on Sunday mornings. That’s the one at the very back corner. No,…
As I prepare to enter the world of Christian higher education I’m faced with various responses from people. Some are affirming. Some are confused. And some, prefer not to ask or talk about it. 13 years ago I informed the church that I was pastoring that I was heading back to seminary. There were many…
I’m taking responsibility for my actions. And I’m finding freedom. As I wind up my time as pastor of Hanover Missionary Church I’m learning to let go of things I wish I could change, but can’t. Easier said than done. It’s happening through ritual. It may sound strange but I’ve started planning moments that link…
In my last post I talked about conflict. Conflict’s best friend is change. And change should be posted on the sign outside every church in transition. Unfortunately, most churches bury conflict, avoid change and try to move through transition hastily, assuming the current trajectory is the ‘best’ one or the ‘right’ one. The reason can…
Church conflict. It’s something every pastor and congregational leader experiences and should know how to handle. Unfortunately, most church authorities avoid or ignore it. During leadership transitions conflict surfaces. Sometimes it’s subtle; other times it’s explosive. It can happen in an all-of-a-sudden explosion; or it can ooze out slowly after years of bubbling beneath the…
A pastoral transition, no matter how smooth, leaves a huge communication gap. That gap needs a bridge. Increased communication functions as a bridge for a church in transition. So, make sure your church is building bridges across the gap with regular updates during the transition. Roger Nicholson paints a clear picture of the need for open…