A question of DNA

A question of DNA

There’s a huge joke at my house. My oldest son, Ben, at twenty-one, stands six-one and has blond hair, blue eyes, and a passionate approach to life. If you look at college pictures of me thirty years ago, the resemblance is uncanny! My other three children love to tell Ben that he is me–that he looks like me, talks like me, and resembles me in so many ways. He’s even loud! He walks loud, talks loud, and lives loud. He’s me and my other kids love to point this out because they know how it gets under their big brother’s skin. In...Read more …
A twilight zone of our own

A twilight zone of our own

Each episode of the old TV show The Twilight Zone began the same way: You are about to embark on a journey–a journey through sight and sound, into another dimension, The Twilight Zone. The music would play and we’d sit, mesmerized, by some very strange things. Today, many Christians feel like they’re in a “twilight zone” of their own: The Post-Christian Zone. And to many of us it feels like a very strange place: The morals and standards that we once assumed are now in question. The Church as we know it is being pushed further and further to the edge. Today, there...Read more …
Microwaves vs. crock-pots

Microwaves vs. crock-pots

As I travel, speaking to churches to help them become better at making disciples who make disciples, I’ve discovered something consistent: We really don’t know how to move in a way that starts small, grows slowly, and builds deep. And regarding discipleship, for the most part I find that churches are so “into” their weekend worship experiences and big events that they rarely get around to encouraging the simplicity and intentionality of people walking alongside people. But isn’t that actually what Jesus did? Now, I’m not down on weekend worship or great events, but alone, they will simply not create disciples who...Read more …
Could your church actually become a life-saving station?

Could your church actually become a life-saving station?

In 1953, the Rev. Dr. Theodore O. Wedel, a canon of the National Cathedral and one-time President of the House of Deputies of The Episcopal Church, wrote the following parable. Though written over 60 years ago, is it possible that there is even more truth in it today? On a dangerous sea coast where shipwrecks often occur, there was once a crude little life-saving station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves, went out day and night tirelessly searching...Read more …
Be like Ben

Be like Ben

 Here’s a radio-minute that aired nationally this week on Q Place’s Walk the Way: This is Walk the Way, brought to you by Q Place, I’m Jeff Klein. A friend of mine recently informed me that Benjamin Franklin was known for his rather brilliant way of handling dicey discussions. Franklin made a habit of not disagreeing with people–even if he didn’t see eye-to-eye with them–right off the bat. Listen to Franklin’s own words: When another asserted something that I thought an error, I denied myself the pleasure of contradicting him abruptly, and of showing him immediately some absurdity in his proposition…. I soon...Read more …
Do you think you need to have all the big answers?

Do you think you need to have all the big answers?

Here’s a radio-minute that aired nationally this week on Q Place’s Walk the Way: This is Walk the Way, brought to you by Q Place, I’m Jeff Klein. And I’m Pam Klein. Not too long ago there was a pretty funny commercial running for the quiz show Jeopardy. It opened with a kid asking her dad where babies come from. The dad is at a loss for words, and fumbles for an answer. Next, a congressman in front of the press, is asked to explain his spending on travel for the past year. He has no answer. Finally, a wife appears, dressed for a party...Read more …
What’s the primary ingredient in God’s mission?

What’s the primary ingredient in God’s mission?

When we moved into our house we were delighted to discover that we had a sour cherry tree in our back yard. Incredible. Cherry pie is hands-down my favorite! Every June since, we’ve gotten the whole family involved, climbing in the tree and on all sorts of ladders, picking as many cherries as we can. Then my wife goes to town on making me my cherry pies. What would a cherry pie be without the cherries? The Spirit of God Any talk of culture building and shaping within a church in order to help a congregation get on the mission of...Read more …
Pastor, do you love what you do?

Pastor, do you love what you do?

In September of 2015, the findings of a LifeWay Research survey of 1,500 pastors of evangelical and historically black churches found that only one percent abandon the pulpit each year. This discovery was in stark contrast to other surveys that have been taken–with seemingly contradictory results to the LifeWay study–indicating that many pastors leave the ministry every month! Are the outcomes different because of who was surveyed? What other variables could point to such drastically different results? It’s hard to say, but there are indicators that pastors think about leaving more often than they might let on. Who knows? Perhaps you are even among them! Regardless, we encourage you to read...Read more …
Making relationships changes the game. On the radio with Q Place’s Walk the Way

Making relationships changes the game. On the radio with Q Place’s Walk the Way

This is Walk the Way. Brought to you by Q Place. I’m Jeff Klein. After spending a whole day with me at one of my workshops, a man in the back raised his hand with excitement. When I called on Burt, he got kind of emotional and said, “I don’t know why, but I feel closer to the people of my church and closer to God than I ever have after practicing these skills all day.” Wow. It’s amazing how building relationships can change our hearts. What do you think would happen if you intentionally built relationships with the people...Read more …
On the Radio – Walk the Way

On the Radio – Walk the Way

This is Walk the Way, brought to you by Q Place, I’m Jeff Klein. And I’m Pam Klein. If you’re hoping to walk the way by entering into spiritual conversations with a group of people who believe differently than you do, you’ll want to take a few careful steps. First, choose to meet at a time and place that accommodates everyone and is comfortable. Consider proximity and make sure the atmosphere is warm and friendly and conducive to  listening to one another. Pray lots. Take the time to gather with the two or three other believers who are committed to...Read more …