
Insights and Encouragement for Church Leaders
A Word from Ray – November
The Fellowship is family. Some of the most sustaining ministry relationships that I have are across the regions of The Fellowship. Speaking of finding the intimacy of family within the community we call The Fellowship, we are less than 2 weeks away from Advent. We are less than 40 days removed from Christmas, less than 50 days from…
James’s Reflection on the Theology Matters Conference
What a delight to see so many friends from The Fellowship Community at the 2024 Theology Matters Conference in Hilton Head, South Carolina! Ray, Cynthia, and Jim – all TFC board members – thank you for making the trek! It was wonderful to catch up and hear about ministry in your contexts, and to talk…
A Word from Ray – October
How do you explain an experience to someone, with concrete, factual, tangible and tactile language? How do you share that which you experienced in a way that communicates the great value and the riches you found in it? This is exactly the situation I find myself in every week as I seek to respond to the…
The Word According to the Bulletin Board
Several decades ago, I attended a Christian discipleship seminar. The leader challenged us to think hard about what kind of music we listened to, so as not to be unaware of things which subtly influenced us. I still remember his litany of caution: “Anything held constantly before the mind becomes a part of you.” For…
A Word from Ray — August
In my most recent conversation with an inquiring congregation, the question was raised: “Why would we join the Fellowship?” This was not the first time that I have received this question or something similar to it. Questions like, “What does the TFC have to offer us?” or, “What will we gain from joining with this group?” I have to...
A Word from Ray — July
Last weekend, we were reminded that we live in a fallen world. We live in a fallen country and that we are all fallen men and women. Last weekend there were shots fired and casualties taken as an attempted assassination of former President Trump. Our response is not speaking of political alignments. I am not speaking of platform agendas. I…