I was pleased to read recently that a retired colleague and his wife have just finished three months of ministry in a ‘vacant’ church in New Zealand. From all reports they enjoyed their time in Kiwi-land and their ministry there was a blessing. Opportunities for ongoing ministry are there not only for those of us who are ordained pastors. When my father retired from his trade work he and Mum led a Bible study for many...

Many people try to climb the ladder of success.   But what about the ladder of prayer?   This is a model of praying that I learned from Alvin Vander Griend in his book Love to Pray.    As churches we are committed to PRAY that there will be such an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that people will manifest a godly life!  In my life, in your life, in the life of our churches, and...

Success is more than a suburb in Western Australia. It is something that everybody wants to achieve!  People measure success in terms of accomplishing specific results. It might be wealth, prestige, happiness, or power.  When I think of the pastors I coach and the churches I partner with, I want them to be successful. But how do you measure success? What are the results we are looking for in a successful church? “But wait a minute,”...

I have a rule when using an axe:  never chop a piece of wood on a rock.   My grandson Jack knows this rule.  And now he knows why.   He admitted to me after a recent camping trip that he did something he knew he should not do.   He used grandpa's small axe to chop some kindling wood.  And he did it on a rock. The sharp steel edge on the axe was no...

I have learned the importance of consultation.   Getting expert advice!   In our recent annual leave in Canada we had ongoing issues with our Jeep.  The engine light kept going on alerting us of some serious problem.  A couple of mechanics that looked at the vehicle could not figure out what caused the engine alert.  I eventually followed the advice of my mechanic son and brought the Jeep to a Jeep dealer.   With their...