This week I read three different blog posts that have me thinking about the way we handle developing a culture of generosity in the church.  Jeff Brooks wrote a post on his blog called Uncomfortable Fundraising which argues that far too much time is spent making sure that people won’t feel uncomfortable when they are asked to make a gift.  Brooks says that this is exactly the wrong way to go… that you need to be [...]

A few months back, Seth Godin launched The Domino Project, a publishing venture partnered with Amazon that values putting good ideas into the hands of readers.  I have been picking up a number of these books, and have really enjoyed the thoughts presented by the authors involved in the project. The most recent release, Derek Sivers’ Anything You Want is a quick, easy read that makes some profound points… and while intended to be a book chronicling his [...]

I am part of a weekly men’s bible study that has been walking through the book of Nehemiah together.  It has been great to watch as Nehemiah rebuilds the wall around Jerusalem, and how he leads the people in the restoration of their homes and hearts.  This week we spent time in chapter nine, a prayer led by the prophet Ezra, which walked through the history of Israel.  As the prayer went on, the pattern [...]

Last week I spent some time at the Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, New York.  I took some time to get away, soak in the peace of the Hudson Valley, and to listen to what God is telling me about the journey that he is taking me on.  My time away was wonderful, and I was able to disconnect from the craziness that is life on Long Island. During my time away I was [...]

Last week Aaron Renn tweeted a link that talks about the tunnel system in Dallas, and how it has effectively killed downtown Dallas.  Aaron has a fascinating site called the Urbanophile, where he discusses sustainable cities, and the future of cities in this nation.  I was quite taken by the video discussing the tunnels, and reflecting on the decision made years ago to go forward with the tunnels… take a look: Watching the video, I [...]

Before my wife and I got engaged we had “the conversation.”  The discussion about non-negotiables and expectations going into marriage.  One of my non-negotiables was that we needed to spend the fourth of July with my family. Each year on the fourth my parents host a crab feast followed by a radio controlled boat race.  More than thirty people will come out to share three bushels of steamed crabs, grilled sausages, and all sorts of [...]

Church loans, like almost all loans, are more difficult to get today than they were a few years ago. The financial crisis that crippled the banking sector has had a direct impact on the willingness and ability of institutions to fund church projects.  During my time at ECCU I have helped countless churches think through what it takes to be approved for a loan, and advised them how to prepare their finances. So how do [...]

Seth Godin had a post last week where he wonders aloud whether Jerry Garcia ever got jealous of bands that had regular radio airtime. The Grateful Dead had precisely one hit record over their thirty years as a band… yet they are known not only as one of the most influential bands of all time, but also as one of the most successful.  The loyal fan base that would follow them from concert to concert is [...]

Last week I touched on my man crush on Bob Lutz, the former Vice Chairman of General Motors. Since that post I have been reading Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business, and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Throughout the book Lutz looks at root issues behind GM’s bankruptcy, and explains how this once great company lost its’ way.  I am convinced that there is a great deal for church leaders to [...]

This week I have been thinking a good bit about how important different perspectives have been to the journey that God has brought me on.  Much of this has to do with a segment of On The Media that spoke about echo chambers, and how we tend to surround ourselves with voices and viewpoints that are similar to our own.  I often wonder how much harm we unintentionally do to ourselves by limiting the sphere [...]