Nothing could have ever prepared anyone for what happened in 2020. So many scenes playing out on the global stage including political division, racial injustice, global disease, natural disasters, and an economic shutdown are just the tip of the iceberg of the trials and struggles that were seen. All of these have occurred before but never all in one year to the degree that was navigated in 2020....
Songwriter Gloria Gaither once said, “Satan labels you, God names you.” Her quote profoundly reiterates what we believe at PAR about our listeners, our donors, and each person serving on our teams....
While Christian radio is not a traditional business, I believe Jack’s quote is still relevant to you even 18 years after he said it. The ways of doing business today are vastly different than they were even a few years ago, and seem to be ever changing on a daily basis....
Our mission at Positive Alternative radio is to create and deliver experiences that inspire people to live passionately for Jesus Christ. As the GM for Walk FM, I have to be careful with the experiences that my station creates. My decisions have the power to make those experiences joyful or full of disappointment....
Stories are the oldest way for people to pass the time and stories allow us to communicate and connect to each other. Sharing stories is the fastest way to build relationships, break down walls, and bring people together. Stories don’t just pass the time, they help us communicate purpose, important information, and even inspire our listeners to believe. This is why stories matter....
Here we are…2020. There is a global pandemic, economic distress, civil unrest and deep political divides in our country. People are getting sick. People are dying. Businesses are closing. Jobs are being lost. Many are dealing with anxiety, fear, depression and loneliness. It feels like the world has gone crazy.... ...
Red. Yellow. Black. White. They’re ALL precious in HIS sight. The events in Charlottesville demanded a response. Three of PAR’s brands cover Charlottesville. This is our backyard. We took a few days to allow the “fog” to clear. On Thursday, August 17th – all five...
Scripture is chocked full of the call to be grateful in all circumstances. Society has now adopted the phrase, “First World Problems.” That draws a conclusion that the irritants of our day are usually petty when compared to long-suffering of others around the world, or certainly when compared to life and death issues. Enter the pandemic. ...
For those of you with siblings, have you ever uttered these words? “I’m Mom’s favorite!” If I’m honest with you, my twin and I believe our older brother is Mom’s favorite, but I digress. By very definition, favorite is such a lovely word. It means “a person or thing that is especially popular or particularly well liked by someone.”...
When we choose to lay down our own lives and love His people the way He does, amazing things are possible. This is what I’ve seen in 2020, a year that has been labeled as both a dumpster fire and unprecedented. These are the moments where your mission has to be more than a nice thought hanging on the wall in some hallway. ...
Recently I have been spending a lot of time thinking about the why of our programming. Specifically, why does our programming matter? Of course the question is not just why our programming matters, but why does our programming matter to her?...
In November 2019, I was picking my daughter up from daycare on a Thursday evening. I had a special daddy-daughter evening ahead, but I was unsure what activity we should enjoy together. Before picking her up, I remembered that “Frozen 2”--a sequel to the ever quotable and singable “Frozen”--was premiering that night in movie theaters. For my two-year-old daughter, she couldn’t be more excited when I asked her, “Would you like to go see ‘Frozen 2’?” I couldn’t have received a more resounding “yes” answer and with that we were out the door to the movie theater....
We have a problem. We have big goals and an even bigger vision. However, we aren’t having the desired effect on the culture-at-large. "The test of the vitality of a religion is to be seen in its effect upon culture," Elton Trueblood writes in his book The Company of the Committed....
We are the products of our youth. Our adult behaviors are often direct reflections of the influencers and experiences we had growing up. Perhaps it’s for this reason that “The Sandlot”—originally released in 1993—became a classic with audiences around the world....
Scripture is chocked full of the call to be grateful in all circumstances. Society has now adopted the phrase, “First World Problems.” That draws a conclusion that the irritants of our day are usually petty when compared to long-suffering of others around the world, or certainly when compared to life and death issues. Enter the pandemic. ...
By this point in February, you’re sick of hearing what a tough year 2020 was. Guess what, Cupcake, by every measure it appears that 2021 will be just as tough. Your cupboard may be a little bare, and your patience may be wearing a little thin, but you’re still going to be asked to get results in what is going to be another lean year, resources wise....
I am charming and pleasant. I’m empathetic. I am the most loyal friend one could have. I prefer hugs to handshakes. My enthusiasm is genuine and is comparable to that of a small child given free rein in a candy store. However, I’m also impatient. I’m sarcastic....
Most every business will, at some point, have to deal with some sort of a public relations crisis and the response can make or break your company....
Dear Christian Radio, The volume is loud. I’m pretty sure we’re “pegging out the needles.” There’s rhetoric from both sides. So many are screaming that no one can hear anything. Welcome to America 2017. If you haven’t noticed, America is divided. Beyond that, the American Church is...
Let’s say that it’s 7 AM on a Saturday. I pull up in front of your house and toot the horn of my cherry red Lamborghini and beckon you to join me on a little car trip. If we haven’t worked it out beforehand, what’s your very first question? While it very well may be, “Where did you get a Lamborghini?” After we get over that, I’ll bet you’d be just a little curious about where we are going....
I was able to complete 54 books in 2020. So, which were my favorites? Which helped me the most? Here’s my Top 10 for 2020. ...
I wanted to begin the New Year by sharing what I read in 2019. There were some really good reads, and some not so good. In total, I read 47 books and reviewed 36 of them. Some of the books on my list were rereads of favorites, some are now new favorites, and others...meh....
Look & Feel: The look and feel of your brand matters. You want people who experience your brand to engage with it and get to know it quickly. Most importantly, you want folks to trust you (the brand). Everything from your logo to your product needs to create these authentic experiences....
In the movie “The Kid,” Bruce Willis, a successful image consultant, becomes frustrated with a lady who is taking a large amount of time paying for her items in an airport gift shop. One by one she uses the multitude of coins in her fuzzy bear coin purse. Coins, and the minuteness of their value, compared to large bills can downplay their significance. Yet, they are still just as much legal tender as a $100 bill. However, when coins are put together they can have just as much value, if not greater than a single bill. Willis’ character was focused on the wrong things....
The mission hasn’t changed. Perhaps the things we must do to accomplish it have. Do those things. Pursue the mission. There’s much that can distract us in these days. You must coach continually so people stay focused on what is most important. ...
You would hardly need to read a blog post about the challenges we faced as radio media in 2020. Some days seemed like challenge after challenge with no signs of relief. Truthfully, 2021 hasn’t started much better. Now here comes some good news....