First person: Don’t let this happen to your small group

May 19, 2026

One of the fastest ways to kill a small group isn’t bad theology, poor leadership or even lack of preparation. It’s this: Full story below.

Pastor Connections: Embracing sustainable pace; Annual Church Profile’s mixed review; new Christian phone network & battle against pornography

May 18, 2026

A few tips and more for pastors and church leaders.

First person: Finding grandeur of God’s love in rural ministry

May 17, 2026

Our sanctuary may not be large, but it carries the weight of a couple generations of worship.

First person: ‘He restores my soul’ — even in retirement

May 15, 2026

I had served in church positions for more than 50 years, yet here I was. Sickness crept in, and then the circumstances of life came crashing down until I found myself in the hospital.

Lass Words: Want to improve your mood? Try this.

May 14, 2026

Did you know there is research that calculates how often people smile? Yep, I found it on the internet, so it must be true, right?

First person: 12 thoughts on your church celebrating Mother’s Day

May 8, 2026

This coming Sunday (May10), many of us will celebrate Mother’s Day in our church. If your church is planning to honor mothers, here are some pastoral thoughts to keep in mind:

Lass Words: When you’re asked, ‘What is it like to be old?’

May 6, 2026

Recently, I was entertaining my young grandkids at our house. Out of the blue, my 10-year-old granddaughter looked up at me and, with the sincerest of expressions on her face, asked “Grampa, what is it like to be old?”