Barnabas File

I was at a meeting a short distance from our local hospital, when my wife called and asked me to come to the maternity ward at quickly as possible.    The daughter of a longtime family friend was there to deliver her first child, and there were complications.   When I arrived at the maternity ward, I learned that the mother had delivered a healthy baby, but she had died.  The grief on the floor was palpable.  Not only family and friends were in tears, but the medical staff was stunned.  This was meant to be a place of celebration not grief.  Our pastor had been called by the family, but he found himself ministering to the staff as well as the family.  The chaplain was there to provide support for all.   I was reminded of this when we recently welcomed a new great grandchild into our family.  Like her sister, she came several weeks early. Both mother and daughter are well, but the baby had to stay in the Natal Intensive Care Unit for about a week where she was ministered to by supportiv

Whoever has ears, let   the m hear what   the   Spirit   says   to   the   churches.  --Revelation 2:7a   Let’s be honest.  Many churches are in a state of disequilibrium.  Perhaps it has something to do with location, demographics, leadership, economics, or denominational strife.  Is there any church that is dealing with the same context it did twenty years ago?    Given our present situations, churches have choices.  Some will become “the church of diminished expectations” while others will become “the church of unlimited possibilities.”  What’s the difference?   In the church of diminished expectations, we hear the congregation saying:   ·        “I remember when . . ..”  Those who say this are looking to the past not to learn lessons, but as an excuse for the congregation’s present stagnation.   ·        “We used to . . ..”  These folks are holding onto things that were important in the past but no longer engage and empower disciples.   ·        “People don’t . . ..” We can’t thriv

When someone asks me what kind of coach I am, I usually respond “leadership coach.”  Although I could coach individuals in any field, I am most comfortable working with leaders—especially congregational leaders.     This ties in with my personal vision:     “To use my spiritual gifts of teaching, encouragement, and administration to build up the Body of Christ.” In our Summit Coach Training classes, I try to point out that life coaching is a broad field with many specializations that can address various aspects of a person's life. Here are some of the most common types of life coaching: ·         Personal Development  or Life Purpose  Coaching:   Provides a broader approach to self-improvement, helping clients identify and achieve personal goals. ·         Career Coaching:   Focuses on navigating career paths, finding the right job, or advancing in your current role. ·         Health and Wellness Coaching:   Emphasizes overall well-being, including physical health, nutrition, and l