How pastor and "lead worshiper" Joseph Garlington helps people recognize holy moments and encounter God.

A Leadership Interview

The sanctuary is packed. Ushers wedge latecomers into the few empty seats scattered across the long, low room. When those seats are full, they open clattering doors to overflow rooms on the sides. There's no holy hush in this place. Even the quiet moments are accompanied by ...

Topics:	Atmosphere, Changes in worship, Experience, Experiencing God, Outreach, Presence of God, Revivals, Worship, Worship planning, Worship style
Filters:	Emergent ministry, Pastor, Preaching, Worship, Worship leader, Youth pastor
Purpose:	Worship
References:	Luke 5:36-39
Date Added:	July 11, 2007

When I was teaching an adult Sunday school class, one member, the CEO of a major firm, asked me to lunch. He started the conversation by saying, "I have a CPA to keep me liquid, a lawyer to keep me legal, and a doctor to keep me healthy. But I have no one to help assess my spiritual condition. Can you give me a 'spiritual audit'?"

I had never thought about such a thing. I thrashed around, trying to ...

Topics:	Character, Christlikeness, Discipleship, Growth, Mentoring, Pursuit of God, Renewal, Revivals, Spiritual formation, Spiritual growth, Transformation
Filters:	Church staff, Counseling, Discipleship, Elder, Mentoring, Pastor, Preaching
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Philippians 3:12-16
Date Added:	July 12, 2007

David Dances.

Death looms on one side, barrenness on the other, and between them, in that steep narrow place, David leaps, twirls, shimmies wild-limbed on the air.

He is close to 40. Maybe his wound-haunted flesh—trained for war, hardened through exile-dwelling, borderland skirmishes, and Saul-dodging—has in these later years softened. He doesn't have to get his bread by begging or brigandage ...

Topics:	Changes in worship, Contemporary worship, Renewal, Revivals, Spiritual formation, Spiritual passion, Transformation, Worship, Worship planning, Worship service, Worship style
Filters:	Discipleship, Pastor, Worship, Worship leader
Purpose:	Worship
References:	2 Samuel 6:5-23
Date Added:	July 12, 2007

If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go.
Psalm 91:9-11

In the early 1500s two radical ideas crystallized in the mind of a university professor in the backwater town of Wittenberg, Germany: People are saved by faith (not by human effort), and Scripture ...

Topics:	Authenticity, Character, Conflict, Confrontation, Leadership, Obedience, Revivals
Filters:	Evangelism, Outreach, Pastor, Shepherd
Purpose:	Evangelism
References:	Psalm 91:9-11
Date Added:	February 01, 2005

Many years ago I foolishly drove a car at least 25,000 miles without changing the oil. I guess I figured I'd wait until the red light on the dashboard lit up, and then I'd know I needed fresh oil. When the car became a non-starter on cold New England mornings, I got mad and took it to the mechanic. Removing the valve cover, he motioned to me. Inside was something that can only be called sludge: a ...

Topics:	Attitudes, Church attendance, Controversy, Health, Motivation, Revivals, Vision
Filters:	Aging, Church board, Deacon, Elder, Management, Pastor
Purpose:	Fellowship
References:	Revelation 2:1-3:22
Date Added:	August 22, 2007

Ancient mariners feared the doldrums. They could die of thirst or starvation if they were caught in the wrong latitudes for too long with no wind. Churches are much the same if they're caught without motivational winds.
Here are some often-overlooked causes and cures of congregational doldrums.

•Caught in a Cultural Time Warp: Some churches that find their sails hanging listlessly have lost touch ...

Topics:	Attitudes, Church attendance, Controversy, Health, Motivation, Revivals, Vision
Filters:	Aging, Church board, Deacon, Elder, Management, Pastor
Purpose:	Fellowship
References:	Hebrews 13:20-21
Date Added:	August 22, 2007