Congregational conflict has the not-so-happy knack of sneaking up out of the blue and catching everybody by surprise. It is all the more remarkable when it is realised that the signals of impending trauma will have been around for a while although few will have seen or recognised them for what they really are. If […]
Category: The Sticky Issues Just Waiting For You
Those Church Splits: We Need a Better Way
It is every pastor’s nightmare. Much worse than…. Losing the plot in the middle of the sermon Or forgetting the Christian name of the blushing bride who wonders why you have pulled up in the middle of the vows Or dropping someone mid plunge in the baptistery. It makes the debate over who should have […]
Let’s Turn Our Differences Into New Directions!
An unhappy record In case you had not realised it, we do not have the greatest of track records when it comes to sorting out differences within our congregations. We come to blows too fast. We play for sheep stations often over issues which are hardly worth the time of day. Or, we prefer peace […]
Who’s in Charge Around Here?
When Jesus’ friends argued the toss about who would wear the stripes, they started a debate which still rages on. The twenty-first century friends of Jesus still have it on their agenda and it is still causing pain to the Body of Christ. The striving for control and power in the church seems to be […]
Beware The Spiritual Tourists
Pastors and leaders can usually pick them at forty paces. It often comes as a hunch backed up by some simple observations. Evasive answers about their last church, a gentle refusal to give away too many personal details, often an absence of personal warmth all convey a largely hidden agenda. Now this is not to […]
Music: Is There Any Chance of Harmony?
The shift from the traditional to the contemporary The old traditional hymnbooks have gone. Instead the lyrics are projected onto screens with the actual choice of music being without limit. New worship songs are being written, flowing out of creative spirits to express praise and thanksgiving. Some are easy for a congregation to sing. Others […]
Minorities – They Are Alive And Well In The Church!
As we all know, well-organised minorities and interest groups are part of our community’s landscape. These are committed people passionately addressing their chosen agendas and often being very effective in the process. And, they work hard to make their point. Some minority groups are a blessing in the congregation Minorities in our churches can be […]
Those Erratic Church Attendances: What’s Going On?
No, it’s not just happening at your place. Wherever you look attendances at morning worship services are in a state of high fluctuation. While it may vary from church to church, the best guess is that up to one third of a congregation may be missing from your average Sunday service. The reasons for this […]
Hormones and Ministry: A Good Mix?
Ministry has never been a hormone free zone. Sexuality has always been on the short list of occupational hazards for pastors. Our own culture remains preoccupied with sexual issues. The sexual freedom of the post pill, vasectomy and abortion eras has continued to stimulate lust rather than love, technique rather than understanding, adventure rather than […]