6 Reason I Do Not Read Your Blog

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Jan 27, 2012 in Personal, Technology | 0 comments

First, notice I did not say this is “6 Reason I Do Not Comment On Your Blog,” it is “6 Reasons I Do Not Read Your Blog.” There is a difference.  There are many blogs I read each week, but rarely do I comment. Just because I do not comment is not meant to say it was not a good article, my thoughts would not have added anything significant to the article itself.

There are several blogs I read from time to time and greatly enjoy. They challenge me and cause me to think about what I believe. To them, I graciously say thank you and keep writing. To the others, here are “6 Reasons I Do Not Read Your Blog.”

• I did not know you had a blog – There are millions of blogs out there, but I need to know why I should read yours. Give me a reason to read what you write; state your purpose and write it as well as live it. Promote it! Use Facebook, Twitter, Google+, email or another way and tell others why they need to be inspired you.
• You write the status quo – I am not interested in the status quo, I want material that is relevant and challenging, not the typical words every one knows, but words from your heart. Stop holding back from making people upset and challenge their minds so they can begin living better. Remember, Jesus was not the status quo.
• I am not challenged – While your writing is good, I find no challenge to go out and live better. It is a page of words, but just words. Give me some inspiration to live better and share the message with others. Challenge me, break me, upset me and most of all keep me on track.
• Tell me about you, not what you know – I want to hear the practicality. I want to hear how you are making knowledge work in your life, your ministry and your family. Having knowledge is extremely important, but I also want to hear how you are using your knowledge. Tell me about it.
• Back up your claims – If you make claims, give me a source. I want evidence which makes sense, not facts that are misrepresented.
• Show compassion – You might show compassion for the homeless, the poor and the fatherless, but are you showing compassion for your enemies. Stop bashing them and begin praying for them before you write. In fact, give me the facts about them and let me see what you mean.

So, why aren’t you reading my blog?

Just a thought,

The word “blog” bugs me. It sounds like some weird disease. Anyway, thanks for stopping by.

6 Reasons Why I Do Not Attend Your Congregation

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Jan 26, 2012 in Christian Living, Church Growth | 2 comments

This is written from the perspective of a visitor. Last year, my family and I took the entire month of February away from local ministry and travelled to various congregations, both near and far, and enjoyed some time visiting. We learned much about the attitudes of congregations towards visitors and it is reflected in the words below.

Let the words challenge you and make you uncomfortable. If they anger you, get up and do something about them. If you think they are right, get up and change the way your congregation is seen in your community.

Here they are, “6 Reasons Why I Do Not Attend Your Congregation”

• “When I visited, you asked me to full out a visitor card, talked about how much you appreciate visitors but no one spoke to me.”

• “I saw no joy in your congregation. As the church sang ‘To Canaan’s Land’ no one was smiling and they sang like a funeral. I thought Jesus was a joy not a bore.”

• “I saw a Bible, but I never saw Bibles. I thought Christians were people who studied the book not talked about studying the book.”

• “Your services talked about being lights in a dark world, but I never heard of your congregation before today. You said your church has been around for 50+ years and I grew up here and never knew of you.”

• “I felt awkward because I had to sit on the second row because all of your members sat in the back and on the aisle seat. They seemed glued to their chairs.”

• “You saw that I had children and no one helped me find a Bible class. There were no signs on the doors to help along the way.”

Just some thoughts,

6 Reasons I Have Not Posted

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Jan 25, 2012 in Personal | 0 comments

The past few weeks have been silent on the Preacher’s Pen. I have posted a few times on  Top Ten Signs Your Sermon Went Well, the Voting Guide and a quick review on Andy Andrew’s new book, “How to Kill 11 Million People.”

There has been quite a lot going on outside of the Preacher’s Pen blog. Below are some things that have happened over the past two weeks.

• Research – There are several lesson series coming up that are taking some serious research time. The current series, “31 Days with Jesus,” has taken a great amount of research and the future lessons series will take some more research as well. The future series include: “Lamentations,” “The Family of the Bible,” “The Lion and the Lamb” and several other series.
• Future Planning – The future of the Preacher’s Pen looks excellent. Having started as a blog, this site is growing into a full fledged website full of resources to assist others in their ministry.
• Email – The past week has been a series of emails looking for information, discussing problems or inquiring or assistance working out a particular situation. Several calls and emails have come in from preachers struggling in ministry. It has been a sad feeling to get the call, but a joyful feeling to be trusted to encourage.
• Visiting – You could actually  call this “hide and seek". Finding visitors and members during the day can be a fun game of “hide and seek.”
• EBook Release – February 1st will be the release of a new Preacher’s Pen eBook (PDF form) of the “Cross of Christ.” As usual, this will be a free resource for you to download.
• Reading – 2012 will be the year of reading. There are many books on the reading list this year. Here is a link to my reading list – click here!

So, what have you been up too in the past few week?

 Upcoming Posts:

• 6 Reasons Why I Do Not Attend Your Congregation (Thursday, January 26th)
• 6 Reasons Why I Do Not Read Your Blog (Friday, January 27th)
• 6 Things the Church Must Respond Too (Monday, January 30th)
• Book Review: Separation of Church and State by David Barton (Tuesday, January 31st)
• “Why I Do Not Drink Alcohol” – Part #1 (Wednesday, February 1st)
• “Why I Do Not Drink Alcohol” – Part #2 (Thursday, February 2nd)
• “Why I Do Not Drink Alcohol” – Part #3 (Friday, February 3rd)
• Book Review: Losing Our Religion by S. E. Cupp (Tuesday, February 7th)
• Book Review: Pastors and Civil Government by David Barton (Tuesday, February 14th)

Expect much more in the coming months!

Just some thoughts for today,

Anonymous for Good–Video

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Jan 25, 2012 in Random | 0 comments

Frist, this video is not mine. I saw this online and thought it makes a great point regarding the “Anonymous” movement. Give it a quick watch and see what you think.

Time for the good.

Just some thoughts,

Top Ten Signs Your Sermon Went Well

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Jan 19, 2012 in Preaching | 6 comments

Ministers often struggle with feedback following the message. While many ministers hear the typical, "Good sermon." followed by a handshake, they would much rather see the benefits of the message in the daily life of Christians. (i. e. – if we preach on evangelism, then see members evangelizing.)

I have decided I would come up with a top ten list of "Signs Your Sermon Went Well." Some are comedic, two are serious.

Top Ten Signs Your Sermon Went Well

1. A visitor requests you apply at their congregation.
2. No one threw a song book.
3. Instead of saying great sermon someone says "I am going to go do something with the message."
4. The elders cancel the meeting they were going to have with you after services.
5. No one offers to pay for you to do mission work in a foreign country for the rest of your life.
6. Members congratulate you for “finally doing it right.”
7. No one gives you a website where you can download sermons.
8. Your congregation stops taking applications.
9. Someone asks you if you are preaching again next week.
10. You preached the gospel of Christ.

What would you add to the list?

Just my thoughts,

Voting Guide 2012

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Jan 17, 2012 in Current Events | 0 comments

As the Republican primary draws near in South Carolina, I thought I would take a moment to revise, updated and distribute again the Voting Guide from the Preacher’s Pen for the current election year.

This voting guide was first distributed during the 2008 election then revise for the mid-term elections in 2010, the Voting Guide is one of the most downloaded and distributed items on the Preacher’s Pen.

Take a moment and download the voting guide by clicking the image above or you can click here to download – Preacher’s Pen Voting Guide.

Just some thoughts,

How Do You Kill 11 Million People–A Book Review

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Jan 17, 2012 in Book Review | 2 comments

When I told me wife what I was reading, her slowly turned around with her eyebrow raised and she said, “What?”  The sound of the title is sure to true some heard, but the message of the book is direct as the title.

Usually, Andy Andrews is the motivational speaker and writer of such works as “The Noticer,” “The Island of Saints” and several others. Mr. Andrews new book, “How to Kill 11 Million People” might seem like a break from his normal writings, but not so. While the book may not be as motivational as some, his point is well made and should cause each of us to take action.

Mr. Andrews presents the way on “How to Kill 11 Million People” with evidence from years past. In fact, Mr. Andrews asks you not to believe his writings, but to research the sources yourself.

Once I began, I could not put this brief text down. It is well worth the read and definitely worthy to be shared to others.

So, how to you kill 11 million people? Read the book and find out. It is worth it. But once you read it, will you do something about it?

Just my thoughts,

This post contains links to the Preacher’s Pen Amazon affiliate link. Using our affiliate link allows us to earn a small portion of the sale (4% – 6%). The earnings go right back into the work of the Preacher’s Pen.

Update – January 17th, 2011

Since some have asked a variety of questions I thought I would give you a more in-depth look at the review.

“How to Kill 11 Million People” is about lying. Pure and simple lying. Andy takes you, as a reader, through the atrocities of the Nazi regime upon the Jewish people. How were a small group of Nazi’s able to kill over 11 million Jews? Simple, they lied to them.

Andy Andrews discusses how lying and drastic effects and even we might be lied to today.

Enjoy the book.

Chris Gallagher