Posts by Steve Sjogren
Either Distinct or Extinct
“A popular megachurch is starting a new location near us. That church is so big and has so many resources. How are we supposed to survive, much less grow? Sheesh! You can’t win for losing!” It’s a natural human response that alarms sound when we think about someone invading our general ministry geography. We…
Read MoreReject Rejection
Reject Rejection There are voices and echoes. Not many are true voices, rather they parrot the thinking and perspective of others around them. If you are one of those who thinks great thoughts, your work will be rejected. That is a guarantee. The question is, what do you do post rejection? Ponder this – that…
Read MoreIt’s a Thanksgiving Life
Build a Memory of Thanksgiving Kindness When you think of the words, “kindness” and “Thanksgiving” an image of food might come to mind. Maybe your Thanksgiving motto is, “Show God’s love in a practical weigh!” Good food is a delight for sure. Beyond that, there are other ways to express kindness that will last longer…
Read MoreSjogren’s Top Tens: Books (of all time)
Top Tens – Books (of all time) It’s difficult to boil down to a short list the books that have most influenced my thinking and practical theology-leadership. The following is a stab at that task. Next year I may change my mind and have a fairly different list, who knows. I do highly recommend these…
Read MoreCold, Hard and Thin
“I’m skeptical of cold, hard and thin.” – G.K. Chesterton Chesterton stated those words during a debate with author George Bernard Shaw. G.K. was a committed Christian and Shaw was equally evangelistic with his atheism. The crowd that night laughed at Chesterton’s words – Shaw was all of those negatives – cold, hard and thin!…
Read MoreActs Of Kindness, Part 2
These are some more stories that have won the hearts of millions of people around the world — and they can make your today a little bit better. Be inspired to choose kindness wherever you are, however you can…make a difference. The woman who bought toys to donate them to children © myfox28columbus Carol Suchman from New York bought a toy shop that…
Read MoreI can. I will. I did.
One of the classic children’s books of all time came out nearly 100 years ago – The Little Engine Who Could. It lays out the exact way that most of what is worth pursuing in life is attained. Life seems to be designed to get us to either give up our goals or to give…
Read MoreTurning the Page on Depression
When you don’t want to wake up the next morning, pray that God may gently wake you up to the goodness happening all around you. Then soak yourself in it. Take it in and let it mindfully grow throughout your soul. Last week I was out doing some garden work for an elderly lady. When…
Read MoreExplore God/Chicago 2019
WHAT IS EXPLORE GOD CHICAGO 2019? Explore God Chicago 2019 is a Community Outreach Initiative led by a committee of local pastors and business and ministry leaders. We all have questions about God, faith, and purpose; Explore God is a unique effort to come together to look at these questions in an open, authentic way.…
Read MoreHow To Pastor During the Holidays… After the Loss of a Loved One
There are probably more in your church who’ve experienced loss than you realize. At a time of festivity, some in your congregation are struggling. “Holidays” are no holiday for them. It’s a time of pushing emotional hot buttons. If you want to minister to a large percentage of your folks, figure out a way to…
Read More