By Dr. Wayne Brouwer My first congregation was very rural, with our home-made church building one of only a dozen whistle-stop structures on the sweeping Alberta prairies. Mail was not delivered, but had to be picked up at the Post …
Nine ways to keep the Holidays Holy
A young girl went with her pastor father when he led a Christmas afternoon worship service at a retirement home. His exuberance while telling the story and implications of Jesus’ coming was palpable, and Christmas carols were sung with enthusiasm …
The People We Love to Hate
This past election season has been insane. To say anything less is a complete understatement. And between traditional and social media, it was challenging to not find yourself inundated with postcards, commercials, quote and memes that pilloried people into a …
The Best Way to Respond to Negative People
Our friends had a four-year-old daughter and a son of fifteen months who was just learning to toddle and talk. The girl loved to show off her brother, particularly because he really knew only one word: “No!” Regardless of what …
IN GOD WE TRUST?
IN GOD WE TRUST A recent op-ed piece appeared in the New York Times this September titled, “The Avalanche of Distrust”. I was fascinated as it talked about the level of trust American’s had not only in relation to the …
How To Open Every Service With The Best Impression
How To Open Every Service With The Best Impression Regardless if you choose to open with a video, a creative piece, a song, or you jump straight to a Welcome –at some point, someone, somewhere will be talking to your community. …
THE RUINING OF VACATION: Reflections for Labor Day
THE RUINING OF VACATION: Reflections for Labor Day Labor Day weekend is approaching, and for many of us, it’s the last hurrah before the sprint of the ministry year. Back to Church rolls into Trunk or Treat which jumps into …
My Mom Died Last Week
My Mom Died Last Week My mom’s name was Eva. Her twin sister, who died on their birthday a few years back, was Esther. I try to imagine what my grandparents, Harry and Gertrude, were thinking about when they named …
10 Influential Church Leaders To Follow on Social Media
Social Media —in all it’s forms— continues to be a prolific part of our digitally connected lives. For Church Leaders, the ever growing stream that is social media continues to inform, inspire, and connect us all. However, finding the most …
The Worst Church Leadership Advice
The Worst Church Leadership Advice. A word about bad advice. Nobody wakes up wanting to give — or even take — terrible advice. Yet, everyone has certainly witnessed real conversations where incredibly poor advice is traded for a smile and a nod. …
