Two women walk down the street chatting and smiling.

Don't Invite People to Church; Have Faith and Bring Your Neighbor to Church

The definition of paralysis is "the inability to move." Every person sometimes suffers guilt and shame that can lead to inaction and losing faith in themselves. However, as in the story, we all need four friends who have faith in Jesus and faith that we are worth healing.

A disorganized pile of pink, orange, yellow, green, blue square slips of paper with "To Do List" written on each one

Living Discipleship Everyday, Not Just Sunday

Do we parade our Christianity Sunday morning or live out our faith in Jesus daily? Or maybe, like Martha, we are too busy to practice our faith.

Man standing on edge of diving board over blue water in pool, with back to water and arms outstretched.

Taking a Leap of Faith Into Ministry, Take One

For some of us, deciding to go into ministry feels like standing on a high dive platform and wondering if we want to jump.

chalkboard in front of open door says "Welcome Please Come In"

The Living Room Was Never Used

In Junior High, I was invited to a friend’s house for a sleepover. We were not allowed in the house except to use the bathroom. His parents pitched a tent in the backyard so that we would not mess up the house.

person serving a fresh-baked round loaf of bread

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

During this season of Lent, I would like to challenge us to focus on our relationship with God and commit to deepening our faith. Here are a few suggestions for our Lenten Journey.

Man walking in rain holding umbrella over companion in wheelchair

Hearing and Living God's Call to Love Others... in Word and Deed

Jesus commands us to "love our neighbor as ourselves." That is one challenging commandment to follow.

Two loaves of round bread from a wood-fired oven in the background, on a wood bread board held by person in a blue plaid shirt

Hearing and Living God's Call to Share With Others... Through Presence and Compassion

We love to talk about being in the church and helping our brothers and sisters with physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. However, we don't take our discipleship with us when we leave the church.

Ocean water between two steep mountains under a dark, starry sky showing the Milky Way

Hearing and Living God's Call to Discipleship ... Let Us Not Just Raise Our Hand but Be a Disciple

Every day, we witness our words and actions. Sometimes making disciples happens when we listen to others, and at other times, we make disciples by sharing a kind word, warm smile, or act of kindness. Each one of us has a "Ministry of Presence."

three friends seated around a low table outside, chatting, smiling, drinking tea

The Ministry of Presence Workshop

February 26, 2022, 9:00-11:30 am CST

“The Ministry of Presence” workshop, held via Zoom on February 26, 2022, 9:00-11:30 am CST, will help you and your church develop a lasting presence in your community.

Silhouette of nativity scene with Mary and Joseph kneeling next to Jesus in manger and shepherds standing outside the stable

The Who, What, When, Where, and Why of Christmas

We live in a society that moves ever closer to believing issues can be solved by a war of words, separatist ideologies, and the use of guns. At the same time, we claim to be a Christian nation, living out the principles of Jesus.