As you know, we at Preparing for Amazement focus on the health of people and congregations.To aid you in thinking through such health, I want to take a final look at what it means for congregations to ask the following question focused on spiritual health: Are we in love with Read more…
In reality, even if we are living into and out of a healthy trajectory, there will be moments when we melt. Even if we’ve grown a wide window of tolerance for what provokes us, there are times when we move out of functioning from our best selves to states of Read more…
After a long break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we held our first international ministry trip at the end of January and beginning of February. It was an incredible way to start of 2023. About Our International Ministry There are two components to our international ministry: Pastor/Youth Pastor/Church leader training Read more…
What do you need? This is a question close friends have asked me recently during a trying time. In the midst of crisis, it’s difficult to know what you need. Here’s where sitting in a quiet space listening brings awareness. The reality is we ought not wait for crisis to Read more…
As you know, we at Preparing for Amazement focus on the health of people and congregations. To aid you in thinking through such health, I want to take a moment and consider what it means for congregations to ask the following question focused on spiritual health: What are the most life-giving aspects Read more…
Often as leaders we have an unhealthy perspective that we are to fix things for others. We can get caught in the temptation to take on this responsibility as if people and their lives are projects. I propose that a healthy perspective shift may draw others closer to Jesus. What if instead we Read more…
Church ministry is complex and very contextual. Every church ministry setting is uniquely different and ever changing. Yet, as we look at the nature of church ministry, there are only three types of ministry: birthing, revitalizing, and chaplaincy. Giving Birth (birthing) This type of ministry is simple: planting new churches. Read more…
“Tis winter now; the fallen snowHas left the heav’ns all coldly clear;Through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow,And all the earth lies dead and drear. And yet God’s love is not withdrawn;His life within the keen air breathes,His beauty paints the crimson dawn,And clothes the boughs with glitt’ring wreaths. And Read more…
“Why Aren’t Our Guests Coming Back for Another Visit?”Are you wondering why so many of your worship guests don’t come back to your church?If you haven’t been the guest at someone else’s church in a while it’s easy to underestimate the weight of the experience. A lot is being processed Read more…
During our October Pastors4Pastors group zoom sessions, we took some time to talk about appreciation, given that October was Pastor Appreciation Month. We asked over 30 pastors and church and ministry staff what caused them to feel or experience appreciation in their work. Their answers were eye opening. Below are Read more…
