Four words have stopped more ministry opportunities, diverted more meetings, and ended more great ideas than any other: “Someone will get mad.” We are so accustomed to this statement, we even say it aloud in planning meetings, as if avoiding people’s anger is a top goal for our organization. Doubt is essential to the existence…

I want to tell you about a church service I once attended. It was Easter morning. The church was packed. As the pastor was making the weekly announcements, I could hear a young woman sitting behind me talking to a friend or family member of hers.  The whole pew was filled with her family and…