I get excited when I see Central Church connecting with new people outside of our walls. Just recently I’ve seen this happening with children during VBS week at Clinch Park beach, youth inviting friends to a party at the home of a church family, and new guests among hundreds gathering at Church In The Park on… Read More »
Preaching Is Not For Sissies
Friends, There’s something I want you to know and respond to and it is this: Preaching is not for sissies. Here’s what I mean. Most preachers work hard on their sermons and there’s no shortage of good material to make sermons relevant and meaningful. Notice I didn’t use the word “memorable.” I’m not so egotistical… Read More »
Connect the Dots
When I was around four years old, I had this large coloring book, which I’m sure my mother gave me to keep me out of her hair for a few moments. It was full of pages called “connect the dots”. I think it was a great way to get pre-school kids to master their number… Read More »
Easter Doubt and Promises
Easter Doubts and Promises… Continuing the Conversation I missed it! So far the Easter Season has offered us spirit-filled celebrations of resurrection life. Over 1100 people attended the four Easter morning services. Then last Sunday we had nearly 700 in worship to listen and respond to the ongoing message of Easter. But I missed it!… Read More »
Why Would Anyone Like Lent?
Hello all, Today’s blog post is about the letting-go & the taking-on Christians do during Lent. I’d like you to try something, even if you don’t read my post. Check out this cool way I find helpful to pray during Lent, with an online inter-active labyrinth by clicking here. WHY WOULD ANYONE LIKE LENT? I… Read More »
Just Another Day in Paradise
I continue to reflect on my recent trip to Haiti. The mission team from Central spent two weeks at the Soaring Unlimited Clinic outside of Cap Haitian. We worked on the building and grounds and with the local school and the children in the “neighborhood.” We also laid out the new Birthing Center on the… Read More »
Things to Notice when Church Folk Meet in a Bar
For the past half year we’ve been encouraging Central Church folks to bring their friends to the bar down the street. It’s not for the purpose of drinking, although we leaders enjoy the brown ale on tap. The purpose is to have meaningful conversations where a huge portion of society goes to talk about important… Read More »
New Year
Faithful Friends, What an awesome holiday season we shared together here at Central. The worship and music, activities and events were filled with the joy of Christmas. On Christmas Eve over 2200 people attended services, and our Christmas Open House was packed with hundreds of friends and neighbors. As we enter the New Year, I’m… Read More »
Giving to Yourself?
What are you giving to yourself this Christmas? Yes, I know. The whole point of Christmas is to let the focus be on the Christ story, on others, and not on ourselves. But I find that taking care of ourselves, emotionally and spiritually this time of year, will create greater openings for God’s story to… Read More »
A Winning Team
For Michigan State Spartans fans like me, this has been a disappointing football season. My usually- winning Spartans aren’t playing well or winning. On the other hand, if you’re a Wolverine fan, you’ve got reason to gloat this fall! One hallmark of successful teams of any kind is “doing the basics well” and “excelling in… Read More »
