PCBE Articles & Insights
Business articles and insights from the PCBE
Business
Litigation in the Church
The scene was tense. The clients were bleary-eyed from a restless night of sleep, sipping coffee and praying for peace after years of litigation. The mediation was scheduled for 8:30 a.m., but only the defendants (the parties who had been sued) were present. The attorney nervously looked at the clock, hoping the plaintiff (the party…
Interview
Midwest Utility Source: Selling the Shoe that Fits
When Myron Yoder was a teenager, he spent a lot of time with his grandpa Olen in his nursery selling shrubs, trees, and bushes. Customers would often come in slightly confused. They would explain that they had a landscaped area, but they felt that it needed something more. Grandpa listened to the person and then…
Business
Anabaptists, Accounting and AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Today I told Claude (a popular AI-based program) to do the following: Create me a budget for a $2,000,000 construction company. The budget should have 3 sections: Revenue, Cost of Construction and Fixed Expenses. Include a gross profit line after Cost of Construction and include a Net Income line at the very bottom. I want…
Business
Sharpening Saw Chains
How many of you like sharpening your chains? What, no one? I don't either. One summer, my cousin and I discovered the perfect sharpening program. We, at an age too young to print, were bucking logs in the sand with 036 Stihls with 25" bars. We would quickly dull the chain, then Dad would sharpen…
Interview
Country Lane Bakery: Where Breakfast Doesn’t Come from a Box
Vernon Yoder was about nine years old when his father began tripping over nonexistent objects. He would look to see what had caused him to fall, but there was nothing there. After repeated trips to the doctor, Howard Yoder finally received a diagnosis: he had a chronic muscle-weakening disease, polymyositis. A farmer, Howard Yoder saw…
Book Review
Book Review: Happy Lies (Melissa Dougherty)
“Are you familiar with this book?” my client asked as he pushed it across the table. “It's been very impactful for me.” “No, I haven't seen it before.” I opened the cover as he continued. “It's about the power of our words and speaking with positivity. This has really affected our relationships and attitudes around…
Interview
Weaver’s Towing & Recovery: We Are Here for Accidents and Breakdowns
For thirty years, Galen and Jane Weaver, now the owners of Weaver’s Towing & Recovery, have been rescuing drivers and their cars and trucks on bad days. Whether the customer needs a jump start or is part of a multi-vehicle collision, Weaver’s Towing has the skills and equipment to help, and if you’re near Lititz,…
Business
Lawn Chair Larry and the Art of Leaving the Ground
Larry Walters was born in 1949, in Los Angeles, California. You may have heard of him or known him by his aerodynamic name, Lawn Chair Larry. From a young age, Larry dreamed of flying. Unfortunately, his eyesight was so poor that even the air force said, “Thanks, but we prefer pilots who can actually see…
Interview
PA Mini Cows: Small Cows with Giant Charm
Scottish Highland cattle are instantly recognizable: the long shaggy hair hanging over the eyes, the curved horns, and the sturdy frame all mark this iconic breed. As exotic as these delightful creatures are, a herd of Highland cows in south-central Pennsylvania is completely unexpected. The shaggy and adorable calves born here make their way to…
Book Review
Book Review: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (Greg McKeown)
More stuff, more hours, more stress, more money—if you are overwhelmed, stressed out, questioning if your life makes sense, Essentialism is for you. The subtitle strikes a chord with me: “The disciplined pursuit of less.” Disciplined—It takes effort to choose your priorities and make decisions that go against the flow of the “more, more, more”…
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