How to be a Terrible Manipulator Pastor Mike Fitzpatrick // Ginghamsburg Church Are you familiar with the game RISK? Risk is a board game about world domination. Players deploy armies, conquer territories, and eliminate opponents, all through challenging other players to battles with a series of dice rolls, to control the entire world. One way to win is by using skills of diplomacy—manipulating other players by forming alliances, then backstabbing them at the most strategic time. Sounds fun, right? Sadly, manipulation doesn’t only exist in the world of board games – many of us have experien ..read more

Four Ways to Control Criticism Dennis Miller, Senior Pastor | Ginghamsburg Church Growing up, I loved to play the game “Operation” by Milton Bradley. Do you remember playing this game? Surely countless medical careers have been launched because of it. The game featured Sam the patient, lying atop a red plastic “operating table” with 12 body cavities exposed. Players would perform highly skilled procedures with a pair of tweezers such as removing a “broken heart” or “butterflies in the stomach.” These surgeries required a steady hand! Players could not touch the metal lining of the cavity ..read more

Three Ways to Nurture Your Child’s Self-Esteem Dennis Miller | Ginghamsburg Church Senior Pastor I just hung up the phone from talking to my 92-year-old father, Bill Miller. He is in speech therapy and struggling to express himself. His speech is slow and he tires quickly. Yet, the entire conversation he continued to build up my self-esteem with words of affirmation, grace and love. This is what he does in nearly every conversation I have with him. He intentionally makes me feel like the greatest son in the world. In the Bible, the book of 2 Samuel illustrates the tragic story of King David ..read more

Committed To Racial Diversity in 2024 Dr. Dennis W. Miller, Senior Pastor, Ginghamsburg Church What makes Ginghamsburg Church so special and unique as we enter 2024? Why raise your kids here? One reason is we are committed to racial diversity within our congregation. As senior pastor, this is my growing edge. Where I lack understanding, God is stretching me, growing me and extending grace. I am not interested in excuses, guilt trips or commiserating with others. I am working closely with our lead staff team and we are focused on intentionally living into Biblical community. This vision ..read more

A Christmas Single Filled With Inspiration As the joyous season of Christmas approaches, Ginghamsburg is thrilled to announce the release of our first and highly anticipated national single, “Hope is Here.” This composition promises to fill your heart with hope and inspire you to embrace the presence of Christ in every season of life. With its blend of soothing strings and vibrant pianos, this melodic masterpiece is set to ignite a sense of optimism that transcends boundaries. From the moment the first note resonates, “Hope is Here” takes listeners on a captivating musical journey. The enc ..read more

Why Do We Celebrate The Past? Dan Bracken, Ginghamsburg Communication Director Observing the past is a tricky exercise. If we’re not careful, we can idolize it. Past hurts leave us paralyzed. Over-fixating on our mistakes, we play the “what if” game. We can’t move on because we’re scared to experience the pain of repeat failure. Past success leaves us too comfortable. We know what works, so we gradually succumb to status-quo living. The adventure and thrill of risk gives way to, “we’ve never done it that way before.” There’s nothing more magnetic than a dusty trophy shelf. We all want to be a ..read more

What Does A Church Communication Team Do? Dan Bracken I recently gave a communication team update to the Ginghamsburg Church board. I perceived that it was helpful, so I thought I’d share the report with you, too. The Ginghamsburg Communication Team IS: Dan Bracken (Communication Director, Design Studio Creative Director, Marketing and Social Media) John Whirledge (Online Campus Director) Shannon Sellars (Digital Content Manager) Will Flora (Video Producer and Research & Development) and Lori Barnett (Data & Print specialist) The Ginghamsburg Design Studio is currently responsi ..read more

What does the easter bunny have to do with Jesus? Dan Bracken | Ginghamsburg Communication Director It’s a fair question. I’ve asked it myself. In actuality, the Easter Bunny has absolutely nothing to do with Jesus. Zilch. Nadda. Zero. Sooooo… why does our church host a massive egg hunt every year?  Truth be told, the effort our church pours into the egg hunt rivals that of Easter itself. If you stuffed any number of eggs this year… well, IYKYK. Here’s what motivates us to do an egg hunt each year: 1. We want kids “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the ki ..read more

Bible in One Year In 2023, the Ginghamsburg Church community is following the Bible in One Year reading plan. Anyone can download the Bible in One Year app and join the discussion in the comments below, or by joining and posting to the ginghamsburg facebook group. The following post is a reflection written by Ginghamsburg Church community member Karimey Berbach. Three Ways To Prepare for Trouble On The Horizon Psalm 37:21-38:12 Psalm 37:21-38:12 is rich with core lessons, reminders, and affirmations that are weaved and threaded throughout the entire Bible: trust in God’s ..read more

Bible in One Year In 2023, the Ginghamsburg Church community is following the Bible in One Year reading plan. Anyone can download the Bible in One Year app and join the discussion in the comments below, or by joining and posting to the ginghamsburg facebook group. The following post is a reflection written by Ginghamsburg Church community member Leo Berbach. Jesus is Human As I was reading through Luke chapters 2-5, I was struck by how Jesus’ way of life touched the marginalized and challenged the establishment. He was bold and firm in his actions, even when under close s ..read more