Thanks for reading this blog in 2014. I know that this blog is a mere "blip" in the blogosphere, but if my words have blessed you or encouraged you in even a small way, then I am very grateful.
I typically like to look back at the year to see what posts seemed to gain the greatest traction. It's a time to see what contributions I've made have had the greatest interest and, hopefully, impact.
Below are the top ten most read posts on this blog:
1. 7 practices of highly successful and deeply hurtful spiritual leaders
This post was inspired by some of my own pain and experience. It was also prompted by the sad Mark Driscoll saga. I think this post tapped into the pain that many people in the church have experienced in the past. I learned that people have been hurt and need others to give understanding, to give them permission to talk about their pain, and to give them language to use to discuss the hurts.
2. What you can do when you hear, "I don't know where we are going as a church…"
Church leaders, particularly Lead Pastors, simply want to throw in the towel when staff and members say these kinds of things. This post resonated with the hearts of many church leaders. I learned that leaders long for help in knowing how to help their members and attenders buy into a unified, clear vision.
3. How to respond to same sex attraction and transgender issues with grace and truth
This is a huge issue in the life of the church. In NE Ohio, we experienced the Gay Games. I volunteered along with Pastor Joe Abraham and my son, Alan, to serve on the clean up crew at one of the events. We had hopes of building relationships and water to respond in a redemptive way rather than a judgmental way. This post addressed an issue about which many believers have many profound questions. I learned that people in the church need help in knowing how to handle this delicate and important issue in a redemptive way.
4. Celebrating the life and legacy of Donald Schaeffer, a man of God who truly finished well
This post was read widely in NE Ohio. An icon in ministry, founding pastor of Grace CMA Church, passed away. The post celebrated his life and, hopefully, cast vision for all of us to finish well as Donald Schaffer did. I learned that in a world where many leaders fall and fail, believers love to celebrate a long life that's well-lived.
5. How thinking theologically can help a busy pastor care more deeply about his wife's agenda
It's obvious that we pastors need help in loving our wives well. This post gave us ideas about how to use our theological insights to be more motivated to care about what we think might be the small things in our lives. Pastors need practical encouragement about issues related to everyday home life. I learned that pastors need practical advice for the home front.
6. 7 reasons why serving the poor will change your life
This post celebrated our church's involvement with The Open Table. It's basically a series of testimonies about how several servants from CVC have had their lives changed week after week by serving a woman who needed not an hand out, but a hand up. I learned that believers want our lives to change for the better and need to know how serving the poor in Jesus' name will accomplish that.
7. Develop your reading priorities: Best Books Read in 2013 by Christian Leaders in NE Ohio
8. Developing your reading priorities (2): Books Christian Leaders Plan on Reading in 2014
Readers of the blog here in NE Ohio wanted to know what books other leaders in NE Ohio were reading. This helped people develop their reading lists so they could grow as leaders. I learned that we are curious about what other leaders are doing to help themselves grow.
9. A Leadership Development Plan to Keep You Serving at a Sustainable Pace
Finishing well and serving at a sustainable pace is a challenge for leaders. I learned that leaders are hungry to learn more about the proper rhythms for effective ministry over the long haul.
10. Why telling the story of your struggles inspires us
Authenticity is, sadly, lacking in many churches and pulpits. People are drawn to others who are willing to share their struggles. I learned that being real inspires and encourages people.
Please pray that God will use my blog (and yours, if you are a blogger) to bless even more lives in 2015.
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