On August 3rd, my parents celebrate 50 years of marriage together!  In today's world that is so rare and so beautiful. I am more appreciative today than ever about the stability they've provided and the example they've set for their family and others. 

When I asked them recently about what makes a great marriage endure and thrive for 50 years, they said things like "mutual respect and admiration, compromise and flexibility, and shared values."  To them, these are not just dream-world platitudes but a daily reality.  The most significant value they share is their commitment to Christ and His mission.  They made a mutual commitment, years ago, that their goal for our family was that we would be in heaven together when we die.  Beyond a doubt, their primary focus has always been to advance the kingdom of Christ in our home and in this world.  They have been committed to this cause even longer than they have been ... Read More »

Startup companies can spend weeks or years determining the name of their company or of a new product line because they understand the principles of making a name memorable, simple and meaningful. According to Business week online (July 2007), google founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin dumped their working name “backrub” for something shorter and simpler.  “We spent a lot of time on the name…because we figured that it would be important for people to be able to remember it” (Designing Interactions, MIT Press, 2006). 
 
Expecting parents spend months looking through baby name books to pick the name that their child will receive at birth because they know that this child will find much of their identity in their name. They want the name to be special and meaningful. 
 
In the Bible, names of people carried significant meaning which usually expressed a personal characteristic, or some incident connected wi ... Read More »

Easter is one of those days on the calendar where people all over the world take time to think about Jesus.   Church attendance is always at its highest on Easter.  Church leaders seem to spend more time in preparation for Easter services than almost any other service throughout the year.  In light of that interest in spiritual realities, believers in Jesus would do well to view that day as an opportunity to engage people in  their circle of influence.  Pray for friends and family.  Invite them to church.  Encourage them to participate in this worldwide celebration of Jesus' resurrection.

But you know what, I have long had a view of "special days" in the church calendar, that every weekend should be a worldwide celebration of Jesus' resurrection.  The Christian life is not about one day or one Sunday or even "special holidays."  Every Sunday is resurrection Sunday. ... Read More »

"Everyone ends up somewhere in life, a few people end up somewhere on purpose."  Andy Stanley

I encounter people all of the time who are unclear about where they are going in life.  They are just existing.  They are not truly living.  This past Tuesday, I had a conversation with a guy (we'll call him Jim) who said, "Dr. Sams, I don't think we will be able to know God's purpose for our life until we die."  Really?  Read More »

I teach a leadership course at Cincinnati Christian University.  I really enjoy teaching it because it gives me a chance to pour into other leaders who are seeking to make a kingdom impact.  A by-product of the class is that it gives me an opportunity to network with some outstanding leaders.  In every class, I am on the lookout for potential hires or people that I might want to recommend to other churches when they are seeking a new staff member. 

In a class last winter, I reacquainted with a guy that I knew in college.  I was interested that he was still doing student ministry after 17 years.  That is unusual.  I noticed that the other class members really resonnated with him.  I appreciated his perspectives in class.  Little did I know that in a few short months we were going to be on the look out for a new student minister.  Little did I know that everyday after class on his trip back to ... Read More »

It's been a while since I have written in my blog.  I suppose it is mostly because of the traveling of summer and the getting back into the swing of things in the fall.  It is nice to be back into a regular routine.  It's really been an eventful season at church.  We were able to find and hire our new life group and outreach minister.  This is a process that can take a while.  In the late winter and spring we were making contacts and networking, with no real luck.  We did get a candidate to the point of interview but, in the end, it wasn't the best fit for our team.  I have learned that when I have a "gut feeling" that someone isn't right for the team at LCC, more often than not, it doesn't work out.  

In the spring, our life group team, elders, and many staff went to a small group conference at CCU.  Most of them went to learn.  I went to l ... Read More »

This past week I had the opportunity to spend the week with 45 high school students at Woodland Lakes Christian Camp.  It was a great week.  The theme was "the simple life."  We challenged the students to consider stepping back from the busyness of our schedules and reorganizing our lives.  For example, we talked about spending time with God and his Word, taking advantage of opportunities that God gives us to share Christ's love with other people, spending time in recreation (like going to the Bengals game on November 25 to watch the Bengals stomp on the Titans....hypothetically speaking), or just relaxing with those you love.

What is it that you need to do to slow down?  What do you need to reprioritize?  What do you need to take out of your sc ... Read More »

In the month of April we saw the largest monthly attendance average in the church's history; 989.  We know that attendance is not our "win" at Lakota; Christ centeredness is.  But one of the evidences that each of you are seeking, studying, serving and SHARING Christ is that God's kingdom grows.  Keep up the good work as we continue to put Christ in the center of our lives.

For my first edition blog I want to report on the very positive response that we are getting from the ABC’s of finance series and follow up life group sessions.  I am, right now, in the beginning of a tour through all of the life groups.  So far I have been in 11 of the 37 groups.  I have much to write about my experiences in these groups (which I will do in a later blog).  For now, let me say, that what I have seen and heard is so positive.  I met a couple who have been at LCC for seven years and said that this is the first time they have been able to connect in a community group at church.  They love it.  I also met a couple who, on their first Sunday here, were invited to a group and they have been there ever since.  They commented on the impression they had when the first walked in the building, the amounts of volunteers who serve and just the spirit within the church.  They said they have been to so many c ... Read More »