It was a year of losing members—an energetic young couple because of a job transfer, several families because of theological disputes, and another family because, frankly, they didn't get their way about several issues. Trying to answer the congregation's endless questions of "Why don't we see So-and-so here anymore," the church board was feeling weary, put-upon, and defeated.
Yesterday Debbie and I registered our son Evan for his first semester of college. Per his instructions. Evan is in Germany as a foreign exchange student, finishing his senior year of high school. He requested a pre-med biology major.
When we mentioned "pre-med" to the director of admissions, she said, "That's easy." Out came a single sheet of paper with four years worth of courses laid out; few slots ...
"I need advice," Dave began our conversation. Dave is like many pastors who call Metanoia Ministries for counsel about how to handle conflict in their church.
Dave told me about Tom, a founding member and retired businessman in his church. "He acts like he is the boss and I am his employee," Dave explained, "constantly telling me what I did or said wrong."
A young leader is angered that the church Bible study she attends is now being taught by a kind but incompetent gentleman. The former teacher, who established and built the class, has been asked by the education director to take a new assignment.
The young leader does not want to see the class dwindle. Nor does she want to be a troublemaker. But she recently attended a seminar on leadership sponsored ...
Printer view of these results
