Category: Church Leadership
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Five Books for a Changed Life Pt. 3
Recent reads with insightful content and powerful personal impact Time to continue our series on life-changing books. Looking for suggestions as to what to read? This is the third post in my five-part series about some of the most impactful books that I have recently read. I’m passing along some suggestions for your reading list…
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Five Books for a Changed Life
Recent reads with insightful content and powerful personal impact In today’s world where we have so many choices, sometimes it’s good to have someone else help narrow the options. In that spirit, I’m passing along recommendations for your reading list or your Christmas book-giving from some of the most impactful books that I have recently…
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The Purpose of Lent
Did you ever wonder what is the purpose of Lent? Maybe, like me, you didn’t grow up with a Lenten emphasis. In the country Wesleyan Church of my childhood, I don’t remember the church routine changing until Palm Sunday. But over my years as a pastor I began to appreciate more and more the power…
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Easter Service at Copper Hill Church
Jesus’ Victory is Contagious was the theme Watch the service I was privileged to be asked along with my wife to speak at and lead the Easter celebration at Copper Hill church this past Sunday. Pulpit supply there has been week-to-week lately and it was great joy when supervising pastor Rev. Gene Ott called and…
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Thinking Ahead
This is a powerful article for today. The questions near the end could be used to help the thinking of every church leader and church council/board/session. We are coming to a major transition period when the current restrictions end. It is an unprecedented opportunity for positive adaptation to the true needs of our culture. outreachmagazine.com/interviews/54136-the-future-is-now.html
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Appointed for a Seventh Year
This past weekend at NY Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church I was officially stationed as pastor at Copper Hill United Methodist Church for a seventh year. I am thankful to God and to District Superintendent Rev. Alpher Sylvester and Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton for the opportunity to continue to serve as pastor to…
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The Privilege of Mentoring
On Sunday afternoon, Oct. 7, 2018, my wife and I left right after services at Copper Hill Church and drove all afternoon to Canandaigua, New York to attend the ordination service of the Central New York district of the Wesleyan Church. I had been asked to present, which means to formally introduce, a younger man…
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Great article on the current state of the United Methodist church
Here is a link to one of the best articles I have seen analyzing the historical and current situation in the United Methodist church. It is well worth reading. Chaplain Philips has both the wisdom of a long time United Methodist and the slight detachment and broad perspective provided by his years in the military…
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A great article on why churches often stay small
I just read a great Carey Nieuwhof article that deals with one of the persistent issues for small churches that average less than 200 in attendance. This includes most of the churches in America. Even a cursory glance at the relatively flat statistical history of most such churches will cause the curious reviewer to ask…