Category Archives: Index

Advice to a New Elder: Group Dynamics, Part 2 (Size and Power)

Someone has probably sorted this all out scientifically. But here’s something else about group dynamics you need to know: people behave differently depending on the group size. With a group of four or less, you can have an accountability group. … Continue reading

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The Afterlife, Lesson 6: Eternity

Today’s lesson is on the meaning of “eternity” and “eternal” in the New Testament — and how these words don’t necessarily mean “everlasting.” Download here. Lesson 6: “Eternity”. Right click and select “Save Link As” to download. (If you left … Continue reading

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The Mission of the Church: Wrapping Up, Part 7 (Community Disciplines, Part 3)

Community Discipline 5: Party I admit that “party” is not found in most Bible translations. But the concept is certainly there. We just don’t see it. How did the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son deal with the … Continue reading

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Advice to a New Elder: Group Dynamics, Part 1B (Conflicts; Pastoring the Preacher)

Dealing with conflicts of interest is one area where business is generally more ethical than churches. Business law says that you can’t vote if you have a conflict — and the conflict has to be disclosed to the group and … Continue reading

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Advice to a New Elder: Group Dynamics, Part 1A (Why You Should Call for a Vote)

Many years ago — maybe even back in the 1960s — we used to talk about group dynamics. But I’ve not heard that term in a very long while. Here’s the idea: people in groups act differently from people not … Continue reading

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The Mission of the Church: Wrapping Up, Part 6 (Community Disciplines, Part 2)

  Community discipline 3: Eucharist I’ll be uncharacteristically brief — having covered this before. Give your small groups permission to take the Lord’s Supper as part of their common meal — a love feast — as well as the congregational … Continue reading

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Advice to a New Elder: They Smell Like Sheep, Part 12 (On Pastoring)

By now it should be obvious that my talents don’t lie in the area of shepherding (in the traditional pastoral sense). But the series really needs a post on how to shepherd — and I’m the last person you should ask. … Continue reading

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The Mission of the Church: Wrapping Up, Part 5 (Community Disciplines, Part 1)

What habits, practices, rituals, disciplines might we engage in to help us learn to love each other — in practice, not just theory. I mean, how do I learn to love the person in the pew next to me — … Continue reading

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Advice to a New Elder: They Smell Like Sheep, Part 11 (Counseling Boundaries)

Both new and experienced elders often get in trouble when they to counsel church members. There are some real dangers here that most are not sensitive to — because we do so little elder training. I mean, elders are under … Continue reading

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The Afterlife, Lesson 5, Conditionalism: The Fate of the Damned

Lesson 5, introducing Conditionalism and Edward Fudge’s The Fire that Consumes. Download Lesson 5. Right click and select “Save Link As” to download. (If you left click, it will stream.) Or stream:

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