Recently, a pastoral colleague and I were talking about many different topics. It was one of those invigorating, wide-ranging great conversations that happen rarely. As we visited a comment was made that stuck with me. It went along the lines of, “these days, it seems that everything is big — nothing is small or inconsequential…
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As we head into the last two months of 2021 (let that sink in, Twenty Twenty-One!), I am reminded again of the need to keep the familiar, fresh! Soon, we’ll be working our way through Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Plans likely are well underway in your ministry and church situation to be ready for these holidays.…
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Have you ever looked at your church calendar and wondered why your church is still doing a particular event? Sometimes in the life of a church, an event that God has used in the past becomes ineffective. In other cases, someone suggests an idea for an event because other churches are doing it or because…
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Gracias Grazie Merci Thank you! However you want to say it, “thank you,” when truly meant, are some of the most beautiful words in the English language. Other languages say it differently, yet just about every language and people group have some form, manner or word(s) that express gratitude and thanks. October is Pastor Appreciation Month!…
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I used to love to watch sports on tv. It was a great way to shift my brain into neutral, get away from the pressures of the day and relax. However, over the last few years, agendas off the field replaced action on the field and it kind of sapped my desire to watch anymore.…
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One of the challenges I hear of repeatedly is how can churches keep (or get) young adults involved. Here’s three things that young leaders are looking for in your church. They want to be involved where interested, make a significant impact, and they want to be included in the leadership conversation. Involved. Younger leaders thrive when given the opportunity to serve or…
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The Dog Days of Summer have been upon us. Many areas of our district have been suffering with drought-like conditions. I hear reports of cities (including Billings) putting restrictions on water usage so as to conserve water and/or save overextending equipment needed to replenish fresh water. Recently, I took this picture while traveling to a…
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Over the last couple of months I’ve been writing about leadership development. My encouragement in April included two steps: Develop your definition of a leader, then identify the 5-7 essential leadership skills or traits that are necessary at all levels of leadership in your church. Step 3, detailed in my May article, entails defining the…
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Recently, Carl Nassib, a defensive end for the NFL Las Vegas Raiders “came out” as the first openly homosexual player in the league. This column is not about debating that issue, Scripture speaks clearly regarding it. What caught my attention was the statement put out by the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, following Nassib’s announcement. Goodell’s…
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June 13, 2021 marks the conclusion of Rev. Jim & Ronda Stumbo’s ministry at Helena (MT) Alliance Church. Jim and Ronda have served full-time in the RMD for nearly 47 years – in two churches : Greybull, WY and Helena, MT. Jim and Ronda are “finishing well” – a term heard often these days, but not often lived out. I…
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