BCNE News
The latest news from our network of New England churches. Looking for our New England Perspectives Articles? Click here.
Marketing Realities
Some years ago, I was consulting with a church that had an unusual problem. They were in an excellent location, had a great looking facility, a well-done Sunday morning experience, and a good marketing plan that they claimed drew as many as 30 first time visitors each week. So, what was the problem? Hardly any of the first-time visitors ever returned for a second visit and the church was in a slow decline. With all the positives they had going for them, the leadership just could not understand why no one came for a second experience at their church and why they had been in this multi-year decline.
Three ways your church can prepare now to help victims of domestic abuse
In my previous article, I discussed the prevalence of domestic abuse within the church. As discouraging and troubling as it is to consider, it is statistically likely that someone in your church is struggling with domestic abuse right now. By taking steps to create an environment that will help survivors of domestic abuse, you can be prepared to respond well and care for church members who are experiencing domestic abuse. Here’s how to start:
3 pieces of advice from my spiritual mentor
I have been fortunate and blessed to have tremendous mentors in my ministry who have guided me, warned me, coached me, prayed for me, and were selfless enough to even watch me flourish. I would like to tell you about one of these men and encourage all of us toward some shared action steps.
The idol of efficiency
There is a cultural preoccupation with efficiency within the modern Western world. It is so prevalent that at times we – even as Christians – do not question whether it is good or bad, it just is. We can get so caught up in the madness along with the rest of the secular world. But is this healthy? And beyond that, is it always godly? Is this obsession with efficiency yet another way to pay homage to ourselves, adding to the illusion of our capacity to control within our spheres of influence? Does God approve, or does He define productivity in a different way?
God’s Church
“I don’t think this church will make it. Honestly, I don’t think I am going to make it,” I blurted out as I sobbed before my wife. The frustration and disappointment erupted violently and unexpectedly. No one had prepared me for the hardship and disappointment I would endure.
Second generation is shaping ethnic ministry in New England
If there is one specific characteristic of ethnic ministry in New England that can be noticed even throughout difficult times, it is that the second generation in our ethnic churches is doing well. During these past months, young ethnic leaders have been gathering regularly to learn from each other, encourage one another, and dream about the future of the ethnic church. It is interesting to note that their challenges are not only unique but common among different ethnic groups. During these conversations, that fact became very apparent as we traced specific characteristics to each ethnic group according to the perspective of these young leaders.
What’s going on in America’s spiritual graveyard?
Each Sunday morning, when I stand behind the pulpit, my eyes are drawn to look out the east windows of our old Congregational Meeting House. As I do, I’m greeted by a sobering sight: an old church building, a relic from another time. But it’s not the building itself that affects me; it’s what it’s become. This structure, formerly a house of worship, is now divided into many luxury condominiums. And it’s not the only one. Several old churches, on our street alone, have closed in the last quarter-century. These buildings were at one time monuments of Christ, testimonies of faith in the Triune God. But now, they’re monuments of another kind, warning of the dangers of doctrinal downgrade while sounding the siren for help.
Our confused hearts are safe in our strong God
A few years ago some friends and I went to see a new Star Wars movie. As we ate tacos before the movie, some of the guys in our group talked with a nervous, Christmas-morning type of excitement about this newest addition to the Star Wars canon of movies. I did not have that same child-like excitement. I’ve never been able to fully immerse myself in Star Wars. I have tried, but there’s just something about the movies—they just don’t do it for me. Nonetheless, I was enjoying my tacos and the time with these friends.
Am I listening?
My buddy and I were sitting by the community pool watching our sons swim when he tells me the craziest story about a work situation. Short version: He was going to record an interaction with a boss who’d been giving him fits. So he hits “record,” walks through an empty hallway, walks by the boss’ office, has a quick and harmless interaction, and heads out to his car — recording wasn’t necessary. Where the story went from ho-hum to hair-on-your-neck-stands-up is on the recording.
No one left behind
Recently, as our government decided to close the long chapter on the war in Afghanistan, our nation (and, indeed, the entire world) looked on with much concern and trepidation as the hasty evacuation process unfolded.
My three biggest ministry mistakes
“Learn from the mistakes of others: You can't live long enough to make them all yourself,” Eleanor Roosevelt.
Looking back over thirty-five years of ministry, I’ve made a few mistakes. (OK, more than just a few.) Thankfully, along the way, I learned from my mistakes and discovered how to be a better pastor. Here are my three biggest ministry mistakes and the lessons I’ve learned from them:
The price of redemption
In an age where we are inundated with headlines of suffering, evil, fear, and death – where there is simultaneously an ease to remaining comfortable with ignorance, distance, or avoidance – the Confessions of Saint Augustine and the signposts of the Old Testament guide Christians towards a more robust understanding of the gravity of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Within modern western culture, death is often dealt with behind closed doors. The sick and elderly rarely die at home, intimately cared for by their loved ones throughout the process of dying. Instead they are shipped off, making death seem less intrusive, more remote, palatable, forgettable.
The Lord does not despise the day of small things
“Oh, that’s good that you’ll be in a small church for your first Lead Pastorate,” the well-meaning former church member commented. “It will be a great opportunity before God expands your ministry.” In the context of our conversation, the idea was that a small church would be a place of growth until God called me on to bigger and better things. They weren’t trying to be rude or demeaning, but the insinuation was that a small church in a small town was a good place for a pastor in his mid-thirties, so that God could use him in a bigger place when he was older and wiser and could handle more responsibility.
Revitalize the heart through giving
Revitalizing a church involves cultivating revitalized givers. People give to vision and movements, not to traditions and personal preferences. Although there are many methods of giving, the giving principle never changes. The Old Testament threshold giving is 10% to God as the starting point. However, in the New Testament, you see examples of sacrificial giving and generosity by believers through the local church to accomplish God’s gospel mission in the world.
2021 Summer Ministry: What did it look like?
The summer of 2021 here in New England has been less than stellar but summer ministries around our region have exploded! It has been awesome to see the many, different ways that churches in all six states have approached their summer outreaches. There has been a renewed excitement to reach out to families and kids and get them reconnected and to get to know others in the community.
By faith
New Hope Community Church of Ayer is a multicultural church that has grown out of a vision from God to provide a local place of worship for an underserved community. This month the church celebrated its 33rd anniversary. What a testimony to the glory of God! What a mighty God we serve. A small group of people’s faith in the power of God’s word is evident in the church today. The church testimony has held firm: “We’ve come this far by faith”.
The humble king
If you could ask God for one thing, and know that He would give it, what would your request be? Assuming you couldn’t ask for more wishes, what would you say? I believe our answer to that question reveals a lot about our own drives and desires in life. Maybe you would ask that God bring back a loved one who has passed away. Perhaps you would ask for better health or a more stable bank account. Maybe you would request the salvation of a wayward child.
4 aspects to know about CrossWalk youth camp
When I was a student myself, summer meant two things: no school and CrossWalk! And for New England students, this year was no exception.
CrossWalk is traditionally a week-long sleep-away camp for 6th-12th graders. The staff, curriculum author, and students are all from New England, making this camp exceptionally impactful! At camp, students follow a purposeful schedule that incorporates the best of camp activities with the growth and encouragement of Bible studies and worship!
The value of a good walk
Most mornings I take a long walk. Sometimes I walk around the block and pray for the houses I pass. But most of the time I walk through the woods. I am blessed to live in a town that had the foresight 40 years ago to conserve 17 miles of walking trails inside the town. So even though we are a bustling suburb of Boston, I can take a walk that makes me feel like I’m back in my beloved Vermont.
Legacy
Twenty years.
Six summer days.
Over 5,000 students and leaders.
Eternal impact.
For over 20 years teenagers and their leaders have gathered each summer for CrossWalk, a week of camp in New England. Themes and Bible studies developed and written with New England students in mind. No fluff, rather tackling subjects like the Holy Spirit, global missions, and sacrificial discipleship, all based in the redemptive Gospel story.