Faith, Hope & Love

The power of a good product. I stood in line today for 40 minutes to get my due upgrade at the end of my existing contract (good timing) to the latest Iphone 4. ‘Think different’? It’s a brilliant axiom for design and innovation, whether it’s technology, business or church, but the irony about the power [...]

I’ve just returned from eleven days in a stunning home in the South West of France. Brilliant time with my family, wonderful time reading, particularly the first in Simon Walker’s ‘Undefended Leaders‘ series, and Ian Stackhouse’s ‘The Day Is Yours‘, and lots of time to think and pray. It was a gift from God through [...]

I love this video; it reminds us of the power of words. It’s one reason I love teaching. I love crafting words, stories, tone and humour to move hearts and minds with the story of Jesus and I’m pretty much obsessed at getting better. But I heard a great reminder this week that good speeches don’t raise [...]

So, I’m beginning my sabbatical in about three hours. It’s a strange thing – it really is – to be released and invited to ‘stop’ when you’re used to a rhythm that requires you to keep producing. PBC was incredibly supportive this morning and lots of people have said some very kind things. As for [...]

I had a great time this evening with one of my mentors and friends, Derek Tidball. We met in London and ate together as I shared with him some of the journey I’ve been on over this last year. During our conversation Derek reminded me of that beautiful moment in Jesus’ life when a woman anoints Jesus [...]

“Are we there yet?” How many times have we been asked that on a car journey by children? And it’s easy to ask or feel when you’re in a church trying to see a vision become a reality: are we there yet and will we ever get there? I’ve been at PBC long enough now to [...]

This Christmas, Simon Cragg, our Associate Pastor at PBC, did the short messages at both the Christmas Eve 11:30 service and the 10am family service. These are two completely different gatherings, each with a very different feel and purpose. Simon was exemplary in both. His message and delivery at the quiet and reflective Christmas Eve [...]

On the final day they’d saved the best until last. We had a whole day of Q&A with Bill Hybels. This was simply awesome. He gave answers and wisdom to questions about the priority of marriage and the family over ministry; issues worldwide that the church needs to be prepared for in the future; church [...]

Greg describes his role as Executive Pastor to be the one who focuses on “…where we’re going and how we’re going to get there.” He says that the Executive Pastor who knows that they are in the number two role, has to be very clear that their role is to serve the number one, ‘You [...]

Church Governance and Conflict Resolution In the morning, we were led by Steve Bartz, who has been an elder at Willow Creek for 18 years. I was struck by his commitment. As well as being an Elder, Steve is the president of Graybill, Bartz, & Associates, Ltd., an investment research and management firm. He was [...]

Tuesday 1st December – Gordon MacDonald Today felt like deep surgery of the soul. Gordon MacDonald, someone I respect greatly and has written numerous books such as ‘Ordering your private world’ and ‘The resilient life’, led the whole day on the discipline of self-leadership. From my experience, this is the hardest leadership of all. Gordon [...]

The real reason for my trip to America begun today, and if I had to go home now the cost would have been worth it. Today was exceptional. I drove to Willow Creek and picked up my two co-travellers on the way, Des and Bill. We’ll be driving together every day this week and sharing [...]

On Sunday, at 8:30am I left with the Stein’s to go to Willow Community Church – McHenry County, one of their regional sites. We arrived about 10 minutes later, found a parking space easy in their car park, and then walked into their converted warehouse. The spacious car park and a vibrant, welcoming Children’s Ministry [...]

The next day I left the hotel and drove an hour north to my hosts. I purposefully drove along Lake Michigan, and as the Chicago Skyline was getting smaller in my rear view mirror and I again thanked God for the great opportunity that it is to be here, ‘Roxanne’ by the Police came on [...]