The purpose of this blog

I’ve seen an increase in readers to this blog since the fall, and I want to say two things:

1. Welcome!

2.  Here’s why I do this:

• To be helpful. I try to offer practical, effective, and affordable ideas for small churches (and other sizes, too) that really work.  I’ve tried most of the things I tell you about, so I know they worked at least once.
• To be encouraging. I’m a small church pastor.  Small churches have their own set of challenges, and I want to encourage small church leaders — that’s you — to hang in there.  To enjoy your ministry.  To know that God put you where you are.  To rejoice in small victories, and keep on keeping on.
• To be positive. I try to keep things positive here.  The blogosphere has plenty of criticism, negativity, personal attacks, and general nastiness — it doesn’t need anymore.  Sometimes I’ve forgotten my own rule, and when I do, I apologize, take down the post, and start over.
• To be informative. I try to post ideas, information, and inspiration here that you won’t find anywhere else, especially about small churches.  I read books, scan blogs, review news sites each day, all with the goal of bringing fresh thinking to this page.
• To bring people together. Too often ministry is competitive.  It shouldn’t be.  I am not diminished by another pastor’s success, and I want to rejoice with him or her when they do succeed.  I also want to weep with those who weep, to encourage the discouraged, and to provide a safe place where comments are respected, and participation welcome.

I probably have some other reasons I write this blog.  I enjoy it. I like to start a conversation. I like to get to know other folks in other small churches.  But, mainly, I write to help.  I hope I do, and I thank you for dropping by from time to time.  Invite some others and let’s keep the conversation going for a long time.

For the latest church news and ideas from around the web, visit SmallChurchPROF.com and NewChurchReport.com.

NOC07 helps small churches

 Ren, me and Gerardo at NOC07

I met a couple of great pastors yesterday at our small church affinity group meeting.  Ren and Gerardo are both pastors of churches a couple of hours from San Diego.  Both face the challenges of transitioning their growing small churches into the next level for ministry.  Gerardo, Ren, Debbie and I talked about the differences in our small churches, but also found that a 150-year old church (ours), an 8-year old congregation (Ren’s), and a 2-year old congregation (Gerardo’s) encounter some of the same challenges. 

NOC07 isn’t just a big conference.  Outreach Inc. has done a great job of facilitating small conversations where everyone can tell their story and find encouragement in community.  Outreach magazine also is providing free back issues here at the convention and I shared the small church issue with the group yesterday.  Also, click over to my sermon blog for an interesting church connection with San Diego.  More later as the fun continues!