We are about to launch a very interesting project in the life of the parish. We’re going to complete the balcony we left unfinished when we opened our new church last year. Because of the success of our Vision Campaign we were able to complete some of the more costly items involved in a balcony […]
We are kicking off a brief three-week series all about fishing. And as we begin I should acknowledge, for purposes of transparency, I have never been fishing in my life. And I have absolutely no interest in ever giving it a try. So it might seem like a funny topic to propose. But, when Jesus […]
Last week my pastor, Father Michael White, posted a blog which underscored the value we place on programs for infants and toddlers that parents can use while they’re attending Mass. Within hours his Twitter account lit up with dozens of responses, mostly negative. Fr. Michael acknowledges that he could have done a better job of […]
This Sunday brings one of my favorite readings from one of my favorite books of the Bible. We are looking at a passage from Nehemiah, which is all about rebuilding. Nehemiah gets permission from the king of Persia to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls around the city, which were broken and a […]
We spent some time this week reflecting on our staff culture. Culture, as we write in Rebuilt, is the potent brew of what an organization believes, what it does, and how it operates. It encompasses traditions, values, norms, behaviors. Author and management consultant, Peter Drucker, writes simply: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” It affects everything. […]
Recently we had a very extended and animated discussion in our Strategic Leadership Team. And what sparked the debate? Our online campus, specifically: live streaming Sunday Masses “on demand” services and programming during the week Basically the debate came down to one that, I suspect, is happening in many settings these days. Is the online […]
As we ring in the New Year I am thinking about some of the things I’ll be working on in the coming months. Here are some of my thoughts and hopes, in no particular order. Message Series We are looking forward to some interesting and exciting message series this winter and spring beginning this weekend […]
I love Christmas. It is simply my favorite time of year. One of the best things about the Christmas season is watching Christmas movies. And one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies is the classic cartoon, A Charlie Brown Christmas. The special is filled with iconic moments, now deeply ingrained in our culture. Remember the […]
In just a few days, your church will be experiencing your greatest opportunity of the whole year. Are you just getting it over and done with or capitalizing on it for your long-term strategic advantage? Is Christmas only to be managed or can you make it all about your mission? Here are 5 things to […]
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, we begin a sprint to Christmas. Here are a few things I am really looking forward to this season. The Celebration of Advent My very favorite liturgical season is Advent. Beginning with a focus on Christ’s coming at the end of time, the season eventually turns our attention to […]
