http://garyshockley.com author blog Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:43:47 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en It’s been one of the most frequently quoted scriptures, “Without a vision the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:19) As church planters we have been well schooled in the virtues of casting a compelling vision. Wise planters do this well…and often! But there’s another side of this that requires equal diligence. I ... http://garyshockley.com/?p=193 I had the privilege of facilitating one of the ministry tracks at our recent School of Congregational Development in Evanston, Ill.  The Advance Strategy Questions track welcomed thirty annual conference leaders across the connection including bishops, superintendents and development directors. For six hours we presented and debated critical issues facing ... http://garyshockley.com/?p=190 The reasons are obvious to me and everyone who knows me! It certainly doesn’t take much explaining. I know the reasons I am not God—gross deficiency in things like omniscience, transcendence, omnipotence and such. Like every other human being who has touched terra firma I want to be God, I ... http://garyshockley.com/?p=184 The first significant crack came right out of seminary when I was appointed by the bishop to serve a three-point circuit in the Appalachian communities of north central Pennsylvania. The logging industry—once booming in these now impoverished communities—had been completely wiped out by a flood in 1912. At one time ... http://garyshockley.com/?p=180 by Kim Shockley Wow!  Have we opened a can of worms!  In the past few weeks I have attended two seminars that highlighted some of the lies that the church has bought into – mainly that if we keep our people busy doing “church” stuff, then we will produce mature ... http://garyshockley.com/?p=166 by Gary Shockley After nearly a decade of new church development work I’ve come to appreciate church planting as an “artful science.” Before joining the Path 1 team I planted two congregations for our denomination. My approach to the first plant was very scientific—very formulaic. I thought, if I could just find ... http://garyshockley.com/?p=162 by Gary Shockley I think it’s one of the most challenging passages in the New Testament. In Luke 15 Jesus tells a very long tale about two brothers. One is dutiful, attentive, trustworthy, steady and predictable. He’s the older brother. He does and says the right things. He’s the “good” son. ... http://garyshockley.com/?p=150 by Gary Shockley This past Sunday morning I was the guest preacher at a church about an hour away from home. Kim and I were out the door and in the car by 6:30 am to arrive for their early morning worship service. Three services later and we were back in ... http://garyshockley.com/?p=134 by Gary Shockley Recently, I conducted assessment interviews for two potential church planters. Our interview team asked the candidates some very tough and challenging questions. We take this work very seriously because we believe the church will rise or fall on issues of leadership. Because of that we are looking for ... http://garyshockley.com/?p=131 by Gary Shockley I just finished reading, “Extraordinary Leaders in Extraordinary Times”  (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. 2006) This book offers the results of an extensive study of the most successful pastors of new churches in seven American mainline denominations. Unfortunately our denomination was not part of the study.  This is a ... http://garyshockley.com/?p=126