This year, Ash Wednesday also happens to be Valentine’s Day. I’ve seen a lot of jokes going around about the irony of celebrating romantic love and mortality all on the same day!On Ash Wednesday, we remember our sin, mortality, and need for forgiveness. Ashes are an ancient symbol of repentance and so we mark our heads to both confess our sin and as a sign of our desire to receive forgiveness. On ...  Read More

CoreGroup Guide | Money Talks - Week OneWritten by Denee Bowers and Chris BurfordWelcomeMoney is a part of all of our lives, but many of us were taught to never talk about it. It is a huge part of our day to day, but it can often feel like we are on our own when it comes to decision making around our finances. While many churches only talk about it when they are asking you to give, money and mater...  Read More

I think a lot of you know that I have a healthy attachment to my little orange Honda Fit. After famously declaring it dead a couple of years ago (pictured here), I fixed it up and continue to drive it today. I am going on year 17 with this car! But this past month, Jess and I started exploring the thought of getting a new car. We even spent a few nights the past week test driving a few options. I ...  Read More

Late last week, I traveled to Washington, D.C. where I spoke to pastors and lay leaders of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. It was a packed day where I gave three talks and connected with all sorts of creative leaders. When I got on the plane to travel home late Saturday, I was wiped. When I finally arrived in St. Louis, I shuffled off the plane bleary eyed and did so...  Read More

CoreGroup Guide | Clean Slate - Week FourWritten by Sherrill Wall and Jenny HuffmanWelcomeThis is the final week of our series, Clean Slate. We began the series with the precept that less is often better. During that first week we were challenged to consider what things are essential – what we truly value and what activities simply keep us busy. Next, our thoughts focused on beginning any changes ...  Read More

Changing requires new routines. But it is tough to start and maintain a new habit. One way to make it easier is doing it with someone else. This makes a new habit more enjoyable, more social, and builds in some accountability. Most of us find greater motivation for a new habit if we do it with someone else.  The American Society of Training and Development found people are 65 percent more likely t...  Read More