Barnabas File

Stanford economist Paul Romer is credited with the statement, “ A crisis is a terrible thing to waste. ”  I am not exactly sure what Dr. Romer had in mind, but the present health crisis and all of its implications certainly drive us to reflect, learn, and reorient ourselves.  Now is a good time to ask these questions: First, what’s really important?  During this time of pandemic, we have the opportunity to reassess what is really important in our lives.  Most of us would probably say that people and our relationships are primary.  We seek human connection whether in our families or beyond.  Even the most introverted persons among us desire the ability to communicate and respond to others.  We also realize that this is a time to attend to “the least of these” who are struggling to survive. Second, what’s not important?  This is a great time to consider the difference between our needs and our wants....

“I don’t have enough time.”  I have heard this often in coaching leaders.  In reality, everyone has the same amount of time.  How we chose to use it is up to each one of us but those choices are not always easy.  I have come to realize that when I consider the tasks before me, I have three choices. First, there are those things I need to do.  These are the things that are of primary importance.  One of these is my relationship with God.  Another is my relationship with family. Everything else is negotiable.  Those things that I need to do are usually those things that I am gifted to do.  This does not mean that they are easy to accomplish.  They may take work, but I have the skills to do them or I can acquire those skills.  These are usually the activities that bring me the most sense of fulfillment. For example, I have just finished the manuscript for my first e-book.  Since it is based on my experience, ideas, and ...

We had lunch last week with a couple whose son recently graduated from seminary.   They noted that many of their son’s fellow graduates have no interest in serving the local church.   These degree holders want to work for hospitals, serve with not-for-profits, or start their own organizations.    Others intend to pursue further academic study.   This is anecdotal information, of course, but it mirrors what I hear from many associated with theological institutions. My own experience with Central Baptist Theological Seminary is that many students there are already engaged in church leadership full-time, part-time, or as volunteers.  They are seeking theological education in order to be more effective in their ministries.  Most are thirty or over and serve what we would call mainstream churches.  With limited resources, where do the seminaries choose to put their resources?  Do they want to educate individuals who see ministry in a la...

I caught the end of an interview with a Tennessee Titans player prior to the game with the New Orleans Saints today.  The interviewer had just asked some question about statistics.  The player’s reply went something like this:  “Look, the Packers are last in defense, but they are 12-0.  Those who are depending on statistics won’t be playing after December.”  In other words, the numbers we often count don’t always determine who is best at the game. When it comes to the church, we spend a lot of time on statistics—How many were in worship?  What were the contributions?  Are we meeting budget?  These can serve as measures of a church’s progress, but the real danger comes in letting these statistics be the sole determining factors in the choices we make as the people of God.    Too often we are called on to make decisions that protect the “bottom line”—decisions based on what is expedient rather than what is faithful to the missi...