As churches look to the changing landscape of the future, explosion of choice is clouding a clear sightline. With so many opportunities for ministry, how do you choose what will make a lasting impact? Psychologist Barry Schwartz describes the shackles freedom of choice binds us with in his book The Paradox of Choice. “… choice no longer liberates, but debilitates…But clinging tenaciously to all the choices available to us contributes to bad decisions, to anxiety, stress, and dissatisfaction…” Let me highlight what I believe is one of the most critical dimensions of mission activity in the world today. It’s the […]

Tom just died.  I spoke to Paul last night, Tom’s brother and my good friend for many years. A few months ago, Paul let me know that Tom was in a losing battle against cancer. Although his passing was expected, it was hardly welcome. Paul lost his brother, his sister Barb is weeping, and their youngest brother David is hurting. Tom’s son heads up the COVID wing at a major hospital in California. Paul recounted his stories about the agony of seeing so many die this past year, separated from family yet with faithful nurses and doctors gathered around.  All […]

There is a saying we have all heard: “Is the glass half full or half empty?” The beauty of that saying is that it hinges on perspective. The essence of the word picture is that a glass, filled halfway with water, can be perceived as almost full or almost empty. There are times in my life that I see things from both perspectives. Half empty triggers in me a sense of scarcity, implying that things will get progressively more challenging with less available resources. Half full triggers a sense of abundance, implying that things will get progressively better because resources […]