Thanksgiving has come and passed. And with Thanksgiving comes Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. I write this article to you on Giving Tuesday. What is giving Tuesday? It’s a time where people are starting to recognize that so much of the last week has been about finding the best deals...
A highlight of autumn comes every year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Men from our church start cooking as early as 4am. The church kitchen is abuzz with activity while delicious aromas fill the church building. After second service, our church gathers together in the Christian Life Center...
This last weekend, I became a true Iowan. I had the privilege of attending my first Iowa football game. It was a beautiful day for a game. Too bad the score wasn’t beautiful. Iowa just couldn’t get into the end no matter how hard they tried. And once they did, the refs didn’t...
Throughout this fall, many of the pastors in our Presbytery have been reading a book called Resident Aliens, by Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon. The Macedonian Ministry cohorts within our Presbytery represent roughly 25 pastors who gather monthly for study, prayer, worship, and sharing a...
While many were watching the first Presidential debate last night, I was returning home from a visit to First Presbyterian Church, Lakota. While there, Dave Feltman and I represented the Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry, discussing creative ways to function as the church in the years...
For those who missed our congregational meeting this last Sunday, we are excited to announce the launch the Psalm 98 campaign! Psalm 98:4 says, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth.” Through this campaign we seek to do just that...
With the summer coming to an end, we approach an exciting time! In the last seven years of life in Iowa, I’ve come to love the Fall – the beginning of fall sports, the mild weather, the beautiful changes in the scenery, preparation for...
In our liturgy we use in worship services marking significant life events, we sometimes use the phrase, “Without God’s grace, no promise is sure.” Indeed, there is much uncertainty in life. One of the only things for which we can be...
Fuller Theological Seminary has been conducting a study of churches with successful youth ministries in recent years. They’ve put the study together in the form of a book, entitled, Growing Young. In preparation for the book launch, they have been sending out various email newsletter...
“…to whom much has been given, much will be expected.” These potent words from Jesus, recorded in Luke 12:48, have been on my mind recently. Gabriel recently asked the worship team to consider one person who...
