Why Church? The Secret of Life

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Why Church? God’s Groups – What Is The Secret Of Life? Love is the secret of life. Not the physical jump into bed at the first opportunity kind of love shown in movies and TV shows. Not the love of … Continue reading →

It’s Halloween Merry Christmas!

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It’s Halloween. Merry Christmas! Other than it is also celebrated in some Christian traditions as “All Saints Day,” perhaps you can’t bend your mind enough to lump Halloween and Christmas together. Let me help. Christmas Eve Services are the best … Continue reading →

Churches Can Make People Happy

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 Good news for churches, taking part in congregational life makes people happy. Studies have already shown that folks who attend church regularly are happier than average people. But now, a story in Monday’s USA Today newspaper has reported on what … Continue reading →

The Light Dims But Is Never Extinguished

This quote could be biblical but it’s not. The quote comes from the fifth episode of the first season of the Obi Wan Kenobi show on Disney Plus. Even though the writing on the wall is about “The Force,” (George … Continue reading →

The Brotherhood Does Not Understand Small Churches

The Church of the Brethren denominational leadership has never understood small churches. This month Annual Conference will be held in Omaha, Nebraska, July 10-14. From the business items on the conference agenda there will be an unspoken elephant in the … Continue reading →

Remembering God And Ourselves

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Vibrant small congregations who want a future need to offer people both a place and constant caring. Carl Dudley has written that the one thing small churches can do better than any other size congregation is a feeling of belonging … Continue reading →

Trust Is The Key To The Kingdom

In his book “The Preaching Event,” John Claypool shares this insight into preaching: “I have been greatly helped at this point by the opening paragraphs of the Beecher Lectures of 1907 by British Congregationalist, P.T. Forsyth. He begins his famous … Continue reading →

November 2021 COB Leaders Communicator Newsletter

Welcome Dunker Brothers and Sister to the November 2021 Church of the Brethren Communicator Newsletter. Thanksgiving and Christmas rolled into one mostly because I am offering the updated version of my article “Leading Change In The Church.” Those who read … Continue reading →

Leading Change In The Church

Posted on September 24, 2018 by dunkerexpress The following is a book report on John P. Kotter’s business classic Leading Change. In addition to Kotter’s information I have added notes about my own personal experience in turning congregations towards growth … Continue reading →

Thankful For The Church of the Brethren

This year has not been a good year for American Christian churches and that’s especially true for the Church of the Brethren. As we enter the Thanksgiving-Christmas holiday season I feel a need to express thankfulness for the Church of … Continue reading →

Give The Gift Of Church This Christmas

Christmas is here and time for me to continue my own tradition of asking churches to participate in the “Give Church For Christmas” drive. Church attendance may be down but interest by Christians in Christmas is as possible as ever. … Continue reading →

Back To The Garden

The Gospel often hides long term success in immediate frustration. When we look at the world, we can see things often get depressing. But the visible world is material and only those with special eyesight can see the spiritual realm … Continue reading →

“Today’s Headlines, Yesterday’s Wisdom: Historical Insights for the Contemporary Church,”

I’ve been a Paul Mundey fan for a long time. When Paul was elected moderator several years ago I thought he would do a good job. He hasn’t proved me wrong. While I was in seminary 36 years ago Paul … Continue reading →

October Communicator Newsletter

Another Church of the Brethren Leaders Communications Newsletter. Happy Halloween! I’m writing this three days after receiving my Covid booster shot.  My hopes this time the vaccine would go easier on meare in vain. My constant fatigue is feeling much worse, … Continue reading →

Life As Camouflage

Could what we consider life just camouflage that God uses to separate us from the Divine Being? What if the material word is just camouflage we need to experience free will and existence? If so what we usually consider reality, … Continue reading →

A Boy Named Sue or Named By God

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Sermon: A Boy Named Sueby Monty Keeling NOTE: I have three sermons that are the first I preach at the churches I pastor, or have been asked to speak at. This is the second which I will be preaching this … Continue reading →

The Power of Habit

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The Power Of Habit (special thanks to Deb Peterson for editing this article) Have you ever thought about the power that habits have over our lives?  Around 40 percent of all decisions we make are generated by habits. Good habits … Continue reading →

Fifth Communicators Newsletter

Welcome to the fifth Communicators’ newsletter for Brethren pastors and church leaders. The newsletter designed to help Dunker pastors and leaders communicate more with each other. Well, we are past the first ever video only Annual Conference and begrudgingly into … Continue reading →

What kind of visison?

Acknowledging all the good things that came out of the recent compelling vision process the vision statement to be offered at this week’s first all virtual Annual Conference isn’t one of them. “Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we … Continue reading →

Retired pastors we need you!

Retired Pastor You’re needed, really! I know because you are suffering from Old Fartitis you probably find it hard to believe you are useful for anything. Especially to God. I know this because you are like me. Too fat, too … Continue reading →

It’s Community Stupid!

Drawing on former President Bill Clinton’s election campaign’s famous statement “it’s the economy stupid” we church leaders concerned with congregational growth should focus on “it’s the community stupid.” During this year’s all video streamed Annual Conference church leadership consultant Tod … Continue reading →