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Five Vital Steps in Planning for Retirement by Dr. Dan Beller

March 4, 2015 in /by

From 1980-1983, I was an assistant pastor on the staff of Dr. Dan Beller at Evangelistic Temple in Tulsa. Pastor Beller resigned in 2001 after 34 years of service, but has continued to live and serve vibrantly since that time. I asked him to share some of the decisions he made before retiring. While his remarks (at my request) are specifically targeted toward pastors, I believe the principles can apply to everyone. …read more 

Resurrection: Past, Present, Future

March 4, 2015 in /by

No, I’m not confused about what month it is. I know that Easter is not until next month. I believe, though, it’s important that we not only think about resurrection when Easter comes around. I wonder how many believers appreciate all the ramifications of resurrection, and recognize its multi-dimensional influence in our lives. …read more

No One Could Know by Kristan Gray

February 10, 2015 in /by

“If you’re ‘sweet sixteen and never been kissed,’ I’ll buy you a gold watch for your sixteenth birthday!” As a little girl, that frequent promise from my fabulous mom created a fairy-tale-princess impression in my mind. I imagined how wonderful life would be when I blew out that sixteenth candle on my traditional German chocolate birthday cake! …read more

An Excerpt from The Work Book: What We Do Matters to God

February 9, 2015 in /by

In spite of its great significance and importance, work is a word that many people do not want to hear when it comes to Christianity or spiritual things. Christians love words like, “grace,” “free gift,” and “rest.” Those are wonderful words—biblical words—and they all have a vital role in our Christian life. But work, in a positive sense, is also extremely biblical, and it also deserves our attention and study. …read more

Vital Statements

February 8, 2015 in /by

I would love to hear a collection of statements from various pastors. What are the concise statements they have which communicate the vision and purpose of their churches? These would include vision statements, mission statements, listings of core values, etc. I would even like to know the slogans and mottos that churches use. In addition to statements that speak to the entire congregation, I would also like to see any statements or concise lists that churches have just for their leaders or staff, such as lists of expectations, priorities, key principles, etc.

How Loyal Is Your Staff? by Marvin Yoder

January 11, 2015 in /by

Every leader who has staff working for them has to deal with the issue of loyalty. They can put up with a lot of other things being less than perfect, but loyalty from the staff to the leader is absolutely vital for the success of the leadership and their organization. Cicero said it this way, “Nothing is more noble, more venerable, than loyalty.”1 …read more

Testing the Ice by Mark Brazee

January 11, 2015 in /by

Growing up in Michigan, I learned something about taking careful steps. There are lakes from one end of the state to the other, and much of the year, they are frozen over with ice. There’s even a lake in the middle of my hometown of Howell, and as kids we were excited to play out on the ice-covered lake the minute temperatures hit freezing. …read more

How to Be Abased and How to Abound

December 3, 2014 in /by

Paul said, “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound” (Philippians 4:12). To be honest, I get really uncomfortable when church finances are tight. I’m not sure I’ve learned how to be abased and also be content. Also, I’d love to get some insight as to how to handle money very wisely and strategically when it does come in abundance. Can pastors advise me on how to be a steady, proficient, and wise steward in both lean times and in times of abundance.