Articles
How God Fills Our Emptiness with His Grace
I heard a preacher say one time that we all have dark thoughts about God. My initial response was skepticism. As someone whose earliest memories are filled with Bible truths, I didn’t want to think that I have anything but esteem and love for God. But I’ve come to see...
What Kind of Foundation? Part 2
In times like these, we begin to realize how critical our foundations are. We all strive to value strong foundations all the time, but we all know that we struggle to put down strong foundations. It is often easy to build and grow and expand during the good times...
Are We Working Out Our Heavenly Job Description On Earth? Part 2
Consider the labor (trouble) experienced by Moses, Abraham and Elijah. Then consider their work. In I Corinthians 6:2-3 Paul declares that “the saints will judge the world,” and, that “we will judge angels.” In Matthew 25:14-30 twice Jesus says “Well done,...
Are We Working Out Our Heavenly Job Description On Earth? Part 1
As a Christian, you expect to go to heaven when you die, but what do you expect to be doing after you arrive? Perhaps you will spend time with loved ones, make appointments to meet the great saints of the ages, or take a long rest. But, is that all you will be...
Leading and Discipling Into the New Normal Part 2
In challenging times your people more than ever need to know you care about them personally. That’s critical when it comes to reopening. If your people sense you are more concerned about getting them back in the seats than you are about their personal wellbeing, it...
Leading and Discipling Into the New Normal Pt. 1
Many Christian leaders are wrestling with what it looks or will look like to reopen in-person church gatherings. Some churches, perhaps yours, are meeting in person now. But whether you are or not, if you’re honest you know things are not “normal.” And so do your...
Fiscal Year vs. Calendar Year: Which Is Right for Your Church?
Pastor Resources · Fiscal Year Vs. Calendar Year For Churches While your church is unique in its offerings, it still operates similarly to other types of businesses. It must pay employees a fair wage, cover debts and expenses, and maintain a budget. As a church...
Self-Care for Leaders Who are Barely Holding On
Self - Care For Leaders Who Are Barely Holding On This is harder than I expected. All of it. From the lockdown to this weird middle ground, to whatever’s coming next, the sense of constant uncertainty is wearing on me. No, I’m not sick. And none of my loved ones are....
Enemy Mode: Your Brain on Narcissism
Enemy Mode: Your Brain on Narcissism God designed a complex network of neurological circuits to work together to help us stay relationally connected and attuned to each other. When these relational circuits are running as designed, we call this “Relational Mode.” Our...
Take the First Bold Step
Take The First Bold Step Some of you reading this are standing at the edge of something new and contemplating your first step across the border. I want to remind you that God has already gone before you. Stepping out may stretch your faith, but God is already...
A Faceless Christianity: Will we return to church in a building?
A Faceless Christianity Church attendance has been on thin ice for some time with many Millennials asking, “Why should I go to church at all?” One often-repeated comment about church is, “I love Jesus. It is church people I don’t care for.” Church life hasn’t produced...
Love No Matter What (10 Ways)
Pastor Resources · Love No Matter What (10 Ways) Have you ever winced upon learning that a long-time member has left your church? Even harder, does that individual appear to doubt some or much of what he or she used to believe about God, the Bible, Jesus Christ, the...
It’s Time to Think About Your Mission, Vision, and Strategy
Pastor Resources · It’s Time to Think About Your Mission, Vision, and Strategy Defining each one can help your church make a greater impact I learned to drive before smartphones with GPS were commonplace. If I wanted to go somewhere new, I needed to do a little...
How Churches in Vacation Destinations Can Survive COVID-19
Pastor Resources · How Churches In Vacation Destinations Can Survive COVID - 19 Churches in vacation destinations face unique struggles. They tend to see fluctuating attendance, with many visitors coming in during the vacation season and then attendance dropping in...
God Sees You!
Pastor Resources · God Sees You! God’s words are powerful because within His words there is a love we don’t have to work for or strive to maintain. God loves you. He says it, and you can experience that love on a daily basis. Particularly if you are a words of...
A Solution for Pastors who Feel Overwhelmed
Pastor Resources · A Solution For Pastors Who Feel Overwhelmed Earlier this year I began a mastermind group with other small-town pastors, and even though I’m teaching and facilitating the group, I feel like I’m learning just as much as they are. One of the biggest...
The End of Time
Pastor Resources · The End Of Time It certainly seems like we live in a day when everyone is interested in the end of time. This appears to surface in every period of history that has seen trying times as preachers, teachers, and parishioners try to make sense of what...
Why, Lord?
Pastor Resources · Strength For Cancer You have cancer. Whether you have been walking closely with the Lord or running hard on a path far away from Him, those words stop you in your tracks and then bring you to your knees. Cancer—could there be a more unwelcome, more...
Believing You Matter
Pastor Resources · Seen Known Loved Excerpt When we talk about God, it is important to realize that we are not talking about some idea of our own making. We are talking about the God who created roaring seas of wonder, covered the mountaintops with swirling snow, and...
Self-Emptying, The Mystery of Our Salvation
Pastor Resources · Self Emptying If I want to be full, open to receiving abundant grace—more human, selfless—first I must be emptied. He must increase, and I must decrease (John 3:30 ESV). The word I discovered is kenōsis. Oh, it’s not that I never heard the word. On...
