Articles
A Desire to See the Church Do Better
I was in high school when Joshua Harris’s book I Kissed Dating Goodbye captured the attention of the evangelical world. It kicked off a movement and inspired countless other books on dating and sexual purity. I read many of these, internalizing messages about my...
Emotional Support Parent
You’ve probably seen “emotional support” dogs or other pets. They can provide valuable companionship, but the primary role for providing emotional support shouldn’t rest on the shoulders of a well-trained canine. It really rests on the shoulders of a parent. We are...
Using Exercise to Enhance Your Health
As a pastor, you take on much of your flock’s burdens which add to your ever-increasing stress. In one day, you might go from the bedside of a dying church member to performing a funeral. Then return the next day to offer counseling for a member who’s depressed or...
The People of God
In this age of cancel culture, individuals, institutions, and groups are publicly shamed for demonstrating or even just affirming an unpopular opinion or cultural value. When mass disapproval of the behavior occurs, they are “cancelled.” If you participate in social...
Home Grown Faith
Brand new research shines a light on faith in the home – just in time for a country that is mostly staying home on Sunday mornings. As a pastor in the time of COVID I’ve had to ask questions I’ve never asked before. The same is true of the many other pastors I’ve...
Grandparenting and Managing Screen Time Competition
Where do we start? Kids have so many digital distractions these days—as we’re sure you’ve noticed. There is something powerful competing with you for your grandchild’s attention. It’s not a brownie straight from the oven or a basketball waiting to be bounced. It’s an...
Postmodernism: A Biblical Analysis Part 2
We now take up postmodernism’s general tenants two and three: 2). Community is important, but never static, it must always evolve. 3). Reality is perception, and perception is personal not corporate. The reaction against a static community calls for the continual...
Postmodernism: A Biblical Analysis Part 1
Postmodernism is the currently reigning world view of the so-called progressive/intellectual movement. Its impact on society is hugely significant. The church has not escaped its invasive influence. Pastors, Biblical counselors, and other church leaders can expect...
Handling Church Conflict – Prov 2:2 Tune your ears to wisdom
It was Outwit. Outlast. Outplay from day one. The newly elected Church Chairman and I lived on different planets. We were light years apart on our views of leadership, preaching, and worship. I was a visionary flying at 40,000’. He was a bean-counter, stuck in the...
Using Exercise to Enhance Your Health
As a pastor, you take on much of your flock’s burdens which add to your ever-increasing stress. In one day, you might go from the bedside of a dying church member to performing a funeral. Then return the next day to offer counseling for a member who’s depressed or...
Gratitude’s Blueprint for Thanksgiving
When people think of thanksgiving, they likely think of Pilgrims, not prayer; drumsticks, not doctrine. Even the holiday of Thanksgiving gets minimized and skipped over. Black Friday has taken over Thanksgiving Day for many people. The morning started with gratitude...
As America Grapples With Division, Here Are 4 Ways Pastors Can Help Bridge the Divide
As we prepare for the 2020 Presidential Election, we have an important role as Christian leaders to shepherd our congregations through this time of division and contention. We are called by God to walk in Christ’s footsteps to be peacemakers—not merely peacekeepers....
… of the Day Emails
So, you want to write a “Meditation of the Day”, a daily reflection on a Scripture verse or spiritual thought. Very laudable—potentially very useful and beneficial—an excellent idea if you are writing a book. But if you want to send it to your friends and congregation...
Experiencing God’s Love in a Broken World
Evangelism is sharing the love of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ with an unsaved person/people to provide the opportunity for them to respond to God’s call and to receive God’s offer of eternal life with him. Our motivation for evangelism should be our love for...
Four Keys to Enjoying Your Time with the Bible More
Most Christians want to spend more time with God’s Word, but often find that it is a struggle to get started or keep going with their Bible reading. There are a lot of possible reasons for that struggle, but it isn’t inevitable, and there are definitely things that we...
What Kind of Foundation? Part 4
This article is the final in a series that has already been published and that has focused on the critical need for churches to build a strong foundation in missions. We all know that at some point the foundation is done, and then it is time to build. Once the...
Your Preaching Is Overrated
There I said it. You may not agree, but you needed to hear it. Now, before you unsubscribe or send me a scathing email about the power of the spoken word of God, hear me out. I’m not saying that the Word of God is overrated. I’m not saying that you’re preaching isn’t...
Finding Your Superhero
I got the call on a typically busy day of both ministry and publishing. FOX News wanted to do an interview on the upcoming Superman movie release, specifically on my thoughts of Warner Bros. Studios marketing this superhero to churches. Since I was both a comics...
Four Cancer and Disease Prevention Tips to Keep Pastors Healthy
Nothing impacts a church family more than the sting of cancer or a life-threatening disease, especially when the journey involves the loss of life or the pastor. Research clearly shows that lifestyle is the major player in many diseases including cancer, and...
Hermeneutical Virtues
What personal qualities are the most important as a pastor or teacher studies the Bible week after week? I offer five of the twelve virtues listed by Kostenberger and Patterson in their book, Invitation to Biblical Interpretation. All twelve virtues listed by the...
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