Lately I've been noticing names and their meanings. Maybe it's because I have friends who are preggo and, feeling the pressure, periodically ask for input on that all-important question—What are we going to name our child if it's a boy … or a girl? My answer is always the same—Pat. After a laugh we then shift to the far more serious issue of ensuring that whatever names are up for consideration don't rhyme with anything that will cause unnecessary emotional pain on the elementary-school playground. And even if … [Read more...]
Make Sure Fun is on Your Summer Schedule
It's summer and you may be planning what will happen in the young adult ministry in your church this fall and into next year. You may be completely focused on all matters of high spiritual value. But let me give you one word of advice: Build in some fun … it’s summer after all! Here’s why: The people you are ministering to work hard every day. Many of them seemingly have a cell phone surgically glued to their ear answering work calls 24-7. Many others work the shifts the more senior workers have turned down. … [Read more...]
Can a Healthy Lifestyle Make You a Better Leader?
At its core ministry is about meeting the needs of others. Whether that means visiting the hospital for a 6 a.m. surgery, being a shoulder to cry on after a 2 a.m. break up, hosting an afternoon staff meeting, preparing a message, providing pizza for a late night study session, or making time for a date with your spouse and helping your kids with their homework, most of your day doesn’t belong to you. The time constraints of ministry make it easy to justify the lack of attention we give our health. We are just too busy. After … [Read more...]
Interview with Michael Kelley
Threads editor Laura Coggin sits down with Michael Kelley to discuss the background to his new book, Holy Vocabulary. … [Read more...]
How to Counsel Through Grief
My heart joined hundreds of sad hearts this week as I learned of the death of Palmer Maphet, a sophomore at Tennessee Tech University who was serving as a missionary in Maine through Baptist Collegiate Ministry. Palmer and his team were traveling to minister at Laconia Motorcycle Week in Laconia, New Hampshire, when a car accident ended his life on earth. I met Palmer on February 6 at a Freshmen Retreat that he coordinated. His leadership and organizational skills, quick smile, and the ability to talk and ice-skate simultaneously … [Read more...]
Church Speak--What Are You Really Saying?
Editor's Note: The following is the introduction to the newest Threads short-term study, Holy Vocabulary by Michael Kelley, which releases July 1. Klingon is an actual language. That's right—the war-loving, spear-toting villains of Star Trek world have their own official language. And people speak it. In fact, you can even get a college scholarship if you're familiar with the alien language. Similarly, there are people who write letters to one another in Elvish, a language that originated in The Lord of the Rings. More common … [Read more...]
Give Your Pop Props
Dear ol' dad sure has done a lot for you through the years—playing catch; fixing the flat on your 10-speed; helping you choose a college; moving you countless times. Instead of getting this strong and dependable superman yet another striped necktie or Yankees cap for Father's Day, give him something invaluable this year—time with you. PEANUTS AND CRACKER JACKS Take Dad out to the ball game, a minor league one. To save money look for games that offer an incentive, such as bringing canned foods for free admission. Carry mitts like you … [Read more...]
Responsibility: Where do we start?
In this month’s leader tip video, young adult ministry specialist Jason Hayes answers the frequently asked question: Where do we start getting involved in local and global responsibility? … [Read more...]
Spiritual Gifts Survey
The term “spiritual gifts” has become synonymous with the specific ways Christians are equipped to do God’s work, including everything from preaching to being naturally hospitable. When it comes to our spiritual giftedness, the Holy Spirit is the one doing the bestowing, and we should consider ourselves blessed to be the recipients. But it’s a sad fact that many of us acknowledge that the Holy Spirit gifts individual Christians, but we in reality have no idea how He’s gifted us or how to employ the gifts … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Make Your Church Service More Meaningful
Gathering with other believers to worship is a necessary spiritual discipline, but occasionally that time of worship can become routine. What are some ways to reengage your spirit and enhance the experience? 1. Pay attention to the lyrics. It’s easy to zone out during familiar songs. Instead, pay close attention to the words you’re singing, as if the song is a direct prayer to God. (Because it is.) 2. Make a friend. Don’t sit in the same old spot; find someone sitting alone and ask to sit near him or her. … [Read more...]
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