More of the guidelines I share with church builders:

5. How to give thanks: Thanks is the core of all worship.  And thanks is the driving force of all faith.

6. How to disagree: We were taught to play fair as kids. But we forget it when we come to church. I wrote a book designed to teach church folks how to disagree biblically.  It’s out of print but can be gotten through Amazon. It is titled “Criticism Friend or Foe.”

7. How to include the newcomers: People really don’t know how to help new people belong. It takes reminding, modeling and teaching to see a church include newcomers.

8. How to care for leaders: It is frightening to me how poorly pastoral leadership is treated in our country. However, you get it done we need to teach churches to nurture pastoral leadership. I think this should be one of the major efforts of denominations.

9. How to forget: Most of what we learn and experience should be forgotten every so often to allow room for a clean slate. Churches just remember too much.

10. How to sacrifice for family – church – calling: Sacrifice is a rare action in our culture anymore. I still get teary eyed when I see it.  But without sacrifice there is nothing decent to live with or for.