I have been reading Pastor Andy Stanley’s new book, out this week, “Deep & Wide.” He says it’s a book about “creating churches unchurched people love to attend.” My kind of book about my kind of church. The only time the word “church” is used in the four Gospels comes in the Gospel of Matthew. […]
Category: Discipleship
This past week I attended a church conference in North Carolina (with my associate Tom) keynoted by Pastor Perry Noble. Perry is pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in the country so obviously he knows something about church growth and health. Perry has some strong opinions about the problems which are inhibiting church […]
We are in the final days of preparation for our Easter celebration, this year for the first time ever at the Maryland State Fair. Our Ops ministers get into high gear this afternoon and tomorrow moving our church exactly one mile north. Our musicians are rehearsing, and they really sound great. Children’s Ministers are putting […]
Every weekend is special because we get to worship God, receive our Savior and help reintroduce people to him too. Every weekend is special, but this weekend will be different. And that’s not so much a promise as it is a warning. If you have ever spent even a little time around here, you know […]
This is week three of our current series the “rules” of happiness. This week we’re looking at a vital rule, one that Scripture over and over again emphasizes, as does modern psychology. We have a fundamental need to be known, loved and cared for. Solid, deep relationships bring emotional and even physical health. They also […]
Just heard this week’s message (listened in on Tom’s practice) and it is going to be a very strong conclusion to our current and final message series of the summer, “Do This.” Don’t miss it. We’re still talking about the Mass. Tom is focusing on the Liturgy of the Eucharist, especially the communion that we […]
We are all set for the third week of our series all about the next generation, “Generation iY” as author Tim Elmore calls them: basically, people born in the last twenty years. This Sunday we also celebrate the Ascension; the Bible tells us that 40 days after his resurrection Jesus was taken up to heaven in […]
Change can be difficult, but life change can seem impossible. Often we don’t think we can do it. Maybe that because we have such a poor track record in making substantive changes in our lives. We have long lists of New Year resolutions that remain unfulfilled. We’ve tried to kick bad habits, lose weight or […]
Today we are in the second week of our current series all about getting life in order by setting priorities. Let me just be honest and up front and go ahead and admit that I’m good at this. Its not boasting to acknowledge you’re good at something, and I am definitely good at setting […]
Some days are just more interesting than others. Yesterday was one of those days for me. Our Missions Director, Brian Crook, and the co-Chair of our Strategic Planning Team, Jim Hayden, spent the day touring Catholic Charities programs and services in and around Baltimore. Our guide was Nativity Parishioner Bill McCarthy, who is the […]
