http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/the-spirit-is-moving2 I’m flying home from Denver right now and I’m reflecting on how God is using Veritas to awaken the church through His Spirit. There are two recent developments for which I am most grateful. A few weeks I was teaching Veritas in Fresno at First Covenant Church. I met Milt and Marge Johnson, ages 91 and 89. They are the oldest couple to ever attend Veritas. Wow! http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/the-spirit-is-moving2 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:30:44 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/spring-grass-and-grubs Spring is here. I know spring is here because of the advertisement I received in the mail yesterday: a brochure for Scotts Lawn products. “Wouldn’t http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/spring-grass-and-grubs Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:52:05 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/no-resurrection-without-death4 During Holy Week, I have found myself reflecting on this Easter truth: There is no resurrection without death. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/no-resurrection-without-death4 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:14:04 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/blog-on-blog A week ago Saturday I taught Veritas at Community Covenant Church in Lenexa Kansas. God provided a record number of people …150. It was very exciting to see people hungry and thirsty for more of God in their congregations. People really want their churches to be fully awake and alive in Christ. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/blog-on-blog Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:07:11 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/the-covenant-behind-the-covenant At Veritas, one of the things that people find most helpful is the behavioral covenant. A behavioral covenant is the conversation before the conversation. It is the conversation about how we are going to have the conversation…so the conversation ends up being civil, compassionate and Christ honoring. Gil Rendle describes behavioral covenants as “holy manners for a faith community.” http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/the-covenant-behind-the-covenant Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:06:46 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/what-a-difference-a-coach-makes A few weeks ago I taught Veritas in Denver. A record 146 people showed up. But what was really special for me is that Valerie was there. Valerie is a significant person in my life. She is a good friend and a devoted follower of Christ. For seven years she served as my preaching coach. And even though it has been a few years since working together, the lessons Valerie taught me about communication are still with me. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/what-a-difference-a-coach-makes Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:44:32 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/65322 65,322. With God’s provision and protection, this is the exact number of miles I flew in 2007. I’m grateful for all the people I met and the churches I visited. I’m grateful for your prayers concerning my family, my travels and the mission and ministry of established churches in the Covenant. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/65322 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:21:05 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/purging-emails-and-finding-hope I experienced a wonderful surprise while purging emails today. It is a note from Pastor Michael Zabel of First Covenant Church in Sioux City, Iowa. He recommends a book entitled, “I Refuse to Lead A Dying Church!” by Paul Nixon (Pilgrim Press, 2006). The author lays out six choices that a church has to make in order to not die. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/purging-emails-and-finding-hope Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:16:22 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/texting-christmas Lisa Orris is a good friend of mine. She just sent me this email about how the Gospel is being communicated by our kids in text message form! "N angl of th Lord apprd 2 him n a drem nd sed, 'Josph son of David, do nt b afrd 2 tak Mary hom as ur wif, bcz wht s cnceivd n hr s frm th Holy Spirit. She wil giv brth 2 a son, nd u r 2 giv hm th nam Jesus, bcz he wil sav his ppl frm thr sins.' " Mt 1:20-21 (TNIV) http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/texting-christmas Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:28:47 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/ravens-colts With my travel schedule on hold for the holidays, I was actually home on a Sunday evening. I turned on the TV to catch up on the Ravens-Colts game. During halftime, there was a story on the first high school football coach in America to win 500 games. I forget the name of the coach, but I will never forget how he inspired his team during a locker room speech. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/ravens-colts Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:16:32 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/hope-in-the-midst-of-the-snowstorm As I write this, I’m sitting in my hotel room at the Holiday Inn in Omaha. It’s one day after the shooting at the Westroads Mall. I notice that some of the news people are staying here as well. In addition to this tragedy, a snowstorm has blown in and paralyzed the city. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/hope-in-the-midst-of-the-snowstorm Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:50:07 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/lessons-from-a-fig-tree Last week I received an encouraging email from a pastor who is leading the church forward with “visioning and necessary changes.” One change is that the church voted unanimously to approve their new constitution and bylaws. They are officially using the Leadership Team model. It represents a new “spirit” in the church. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/lessons-from-a-fig-tree Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:30:13 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/united-flight-984 Here I am sitting on a plane, flying home from teaching Veritas in San Diego. Pastor Greg West and the wonderful people of Clairemont Covenant Church hosted the event. What impressed me most about this particular Veritas was Greg’s intentionality in promoting the event – especially with his own people. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/united-flight-984 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 08:51:46 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/ch-ch-changes__ Every Veritas seminar is different. Insights and questions from the participants make Veritas so dynamic. I am the one who is learning and I always add, delete or tweak something in my presentation after every Veritas. That is what I’m doing now as I fly home from teaching Veritas in Seattle. I’m reflecting on one person’s comment during a conversation about change. He said, “The only good change is my change.” http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/ch-ch-changes__ Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:53:26 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/igniting-a-holy-passion As the Director of Congregational Vitality, one of my goals is to develop resources that ring true in Covenant churches. I believe that the local church is God’s basic unit of mission in the world and that the denomination exists for the local church. I also believe that the work of the denomination is not to advance the gospel. Our work is to provide advantages to empower the local church to advance the gospel. My heart beats for the local church, especially for the pastors and lay leaders who serve them. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/igniting-a-holy-passion Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:51:25 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/the-challenge-of-revitalization-in-the-town-and-country-church Red Oak, Iowa, is a town of 6,000 people. First Covenant Church has been there since 1872. Approximately 25% of all Covenant Churches are located in Town and Country settings (population areas of 10,000 people or less). These churches often feel isolated, alone, insignificant and ignored. But the truth is these churches matter. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/the-challenge-of-revitalization-in-the-town-and-country-church Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:31:07 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/tears-in-my-eyes Last Sunday I attended a church service that brought tears to my eyes. Good tears. The Spirit was moving and I could hardly contain myself while praising God in song. My hands were raised and the tears were flowing down my cheeks. God was there and I wanted all of Him. Why was I so wrapped up in this experience? http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/tears-in-my-eyes Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:30:12 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/the-starting-point-and-the-goal Churches often fall into the trap of thinking that a few cosmetic or structural changes can bring about lasting health and growth. But revitalization doesn't begin with anything we can do - it begins with what God can do. Any other starting point is of the flesh and not of the Spirit. Revitalization begins with a dynamic encounter with the living God. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/the-starting-point-and-the-goal Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:36:11 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/the-stillness-was-calling__ A week ago, I participated in a strategic planning retreat with the dynamic Pacific Southwest Conference team, led by Evelyn Johnson. The retreat was held at San Damiano. Nestled atop the foothills just outside Oakland, this Catholic retreat center seemed far away from the hustle and bustle of the work-a-day world. The gardens were beautiful and peaceful. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/the-stillness-was-calling__ Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:21:09 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/the-best-communion-experience-ever I recently preached at a church on Communion Sunday. After the message, I sat down as the pastor began to lead Communion. I knew these words well having served as a pastor for over 20 years. But what followed was a beautiful surprise. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/the-best-communion-experience-ever Tue, 04 Sep 2007 09:03:38 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/desperation-leads-to-transformation It’s a long way from Chicago to Alaska but it is worth the trip every time – even when I don’t get to fish :) http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/desperation-leads-to-transformation Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:45:33 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/holy-discontent-batman I recently preached at a church that is in a pastoral search process. It is a stable church quickly moving toward critical moment. I’ve seen it happen before: Vitality slips into stability and then stability slips into mediocrity. The good news is that this particular church has so much potential. The bad news is that they have played it safe far too long. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/holy-discontent-batman Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:18:36 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/one-reason-to-leave-a-church A good friend of mine recently left his church – a Covenant church. I asked him why. “I evaluate a church based on four loves,” he replied. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/one-reason-to-leave-a-church Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:17:23 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/you-get-what-you-pay___-attention-to Ever want to be a middle school counselor? That’s what my brother-in-law does. A few weeks ago he told me about a workshop he attended on student behavior. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/you-get-what-you-pay___-attention-to Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:14:31 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/mister-tough-guy It all started with a tattoo. This guy looked tough – construction tough. Muscle shirt, baseball cap, carhartt pants and a bottle of beer in his right hand. But it was the tattoo on his left shoulder that caught my eye. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/mister-tough-guy Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:14:01 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/finding-the-truth-at-subway I was eating lunch in one of my favorite restaurants – Subway. My usual is a Tuna Wrap, Baked Lay’s BBQ potato chips and a Diet Coke. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/finding-the-truth-at-subway Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:11:59 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/way-to-go-dad Talk about vim and vigor. My Dad is 77 years old. He recently participated in the Senior Olympics for swimming at Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/way-to-go-dad Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:11:17 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/___with-a-task-before-me-greater-than-that-which-rested-upon-washington___ I have not been able to get it out of my mind. A few months ago I visited the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum in Harrogate, Tennessee. As I browsed through the museum looking at rifles, swords, photographs and furniture, I came across a quote that made an indelible impression on me. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/___with-a-task-before-me-greater-than-that-which-rested-upon-washington___ Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:09:03 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/roller-coasters I’ve wanted one all my life. Last week, I got it. A season pass to an amusement park. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/roller-coasters Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:41:16 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/commuting__ I just read an article about how Chicago has the highest gas prices in the country and one of the worst commutes. Welcome to my world. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/commuting__ Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:34:55 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/beatitudes-of-revitalization The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12 present a picture of life in the kingdom of God. Part of their purpose is to turn our worldview upside down. In a sense, the Beatitudes are “edgy” and somewhat prophetic. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/beatitudes-of-revitalization Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:23:38 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/let-me-count-the-ways While I was teaching a workshop at Midwinter, a pastor asked me a question. “Do healthy missional churches die?” http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/let-me-count-the-ways Fri, 11 May 2007 08:40:17 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/asking-good-questions More and more, I am learning the importance of asking good questions. Jesus asked good questions. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/vitality/recent-posts/asking-good-questions Fri, 11 May 2007 11:44:26 -0500