Unless a Seed Dies
In the week before his death, Jesus said to his disciples: The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to...
Disappointed, but not Surprised
The difficult departure of a lead pastor resulted in unhealed wounds among the pastors, staff, members, and attenders of a strong church...
The Joy of In-Between
After a church leader with long tenure, it is often helpful for someone to serve in-between the outgoing and incoming leader; otherwise,...
Rooting for Bright Hope
Living nearby, I was close enough to know the highs and lows of Bright Hope Fellowship: a strong start, the disruption of masonic issues,...
Honor
“Elders who direct the affairs of the church well,” the apostle Paul wrote, “are worthy of double honor” (1 Timothy 5:12). In accord...
47 Ronin
Most countries have stories that highlight the historical values of the nation. Recently, I learned about the Japanese story of the 47...
Schoolhouse 1884
A week ago, six church leaders met at a schoolhouse, built in 1884, in the final stages of restoration. Their aim was to share insights...
Seeds of Faith
by Karah Leaman There is a strange sweet camaraderie among those who find themselves together in the margins. In our German city of...
Surf's Up!
by Les Cool As summer approaches, you may be eager to get to the beach. Envision the pounding surf as a metaphor for this pandemic year....
Zeke
This is the story of Zeke, a hand puppet. This is not a tall tale. It is not made up or exaggerated. It is a true story, one that teaches...
By Faith
In hope, the Millersville (Pa.) BIC Church made the decision to press ahead to full recovery—and people pledged to be active partners in...
In Hope
After an extended season of growth, Millersville (Pa.) Brethren in Christ Church encountered a series of demoralizing setbacks and...
Paul
When we think of underdogs, biblical heroes like David, Gideon, and Moses come to mind. We do not normally think of the apostle Paul as...
Better Together
The multi-site movement, normally associated with larger churches, also creates an option for small and mid-sized churches. Where two (or...
Starr Trek
Week by week, empty nesters Charlie and Martha Starr participate in two churches. They worship in the early service at Cross Roads BIC...
