Be aware of sudden changes in behavior such as avoiding certain individuals and inappropriate and advanced sexual play. Familiarize yourself with this Protecting Kids From Abuse and neglect checklist for churches as well. The definitions and counsel here apply beyond our church walls.   Conversations I’ve had with parents who are concerned about protecting their kids from... Continue Reading

“In 2011, supervisors in InterVarsity’s Grand Rapids, Mich., office put a “spiritual formation specialist,” Alyce Conlon, on paid leave to work on repairing her marriage. Later that year, the organization fired her when she and her husband moved forward with a divorce.”   The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship on... Continue Reading

Living in a ministry silo – Staff love their sphere of ministry (e.g., students, music), but few others share their level of passion. Others make decisions that affect their ministry without discussion or dialogue. Calendaring events becomes competition rather than cooperation. The silo gets lonely.   Last week, I posted about burdens pastors often share... Continue Reading

“Faith-based universities are not about to deny their raison d’etre,” said Joel, whose university is a new member of NAICU. “I think that more and more universities, particularly private universities, have to say what we are about and what makes us indispensable.”   WASHINGTON (RNS) Should religious colleges be bound by the same union and... Continue Reading

Gordon College’s case may never become a popular cause. The college is unlikely ever to enjoy the pop-culture power of chicken restaurants and craft stores. But few battles will have more enduring meaning than the fight for Christian education, for the very ability to transmit knowledge and values from one generation to the next.  ... Continue Reading

For a small, self-selected group of Americans, cost-sharing ministries make our broken health care system bearable. There is much to admire in their nonprofit structure and their tireless advocacy for members. The problem is that too often their proponents take them as proof that it’s “in the DNA of Americans to assist and help one... Continue Reading

For those with eyes to see and ears to hear, there is an enormous elephant in the room of church sessions, presbyteries, and denominations. There is much talk of church planting, missions, doctrinal orthodoxy, and the rosiest versions of a given denominational history. Meanwhile men are harming their wives and calling it an exercise of their... Continue Reading

Do not journey alone. Preaching is often a lonely ministry. Prayerfully pursue mentors and prayer partners who can speak into your life. Find a string of Bible read-through partners and chase God together in His Word. Have a lifelong conversation with God. There are too many technically capable and theologically informed preachers that have no meaningful relationship... Continue Reading

The vision of the future must be clear, which is why leaders who know “what time it is” organizationally will be relentless in the pursuit of clarity, both for themselves and the people they lead. Without clarity regarding changes, people will disagree on the direction, perhaps due to confusion or questions about the necessity of... Continue Reading

The American Bible Society has about 270 employees and about 200 volunteers worldwide, according to a 2012 financial report. That year, the society had a $9 million deficit on a $92 million operating budget. Its total assets, not including its building, are valued at $491 million, according to its 990 filing from 2012.   The... Continue Reading