How to Read the Bible: Intent, Methodology, and Influences

How to Read the Bible: Intent, Methodology, and Influences

How do you read the Bible? Exploring Intent: Why Do You Read the Bible? One way we may begin to answer this question centers on intent. You read the Bible for the purpose of devotion, or prayer, or study. If you’re a preacher like me, you may read the Bible because...
Resilience in Brokenness: Finding Faith and Strength

Resilience in Brokenness: Finding Faith and Strength

“Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” Psalm 116:7, CSB Recognizing Brokenness and Choosing Resilience It was just a broken ice maker. It wasn’t a catastrophic event. I was safe. I was in a good place. And I was looking forward to spending...
Prioritize Worship Before Work: Insights for Ministry Leaders

Prioritize Worship Before Work: Insights for Ministry Leaders

For ministry leaders, the new year brings fresh anticipation for where God will lead us next. As I approached the new year with my own hopes and expectations, God led me to Joshua 5:13-15. It’s the end of a 40-year trek in the wilderness. Israel has crossed the...
Combating Religious Persecution in Pakistan

Combating Religious Persecution in Pakistan

The Harsh Reality of Religious Persecution in Pakistan Imagine stepping out of your car, unknowingly treading on a few pieces of paper on the pavement, only to be arrested and charged with offenses that could lead to a life sentence. In Pakistan, this nightmare is a...
A Practical Guide to Parenting Adult Children

A Practical Guide to Parenting Adult Children

Understanding Your Relationship with Adult Children How would you describe your relationship with your adult child? Your answer to this question will reveal where you need to start or pick up if you desire a growing relationship. Because human relationships are...
Developing a Church Mental Health Strategy

Developing a Church Mental Health Strategy

Why Church Mental Health Outreach Matters Churches are often the first point of contact when a family member has an acute mental health need. Individuals and families are more likely to connect with their church in a mental health crisis than they are with a licensed...
Understanding Faith Deconstruction

Understanding Faith Deconstruction

“I’m deconstructing my faith.” Perhaps someone has said this to you recently. A friend, child, spouse, parent, coworker, or congregant. You don’t really know what they mean, but it doesn’t sound good. Just from the name, you can tell they are taking something apart....
Ministry Transitions in Genesis 12

Ministry Transitions in Genesis 12

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to go into something new and leave the something old behind. I am in the middle of a ministry transition. After about 9 years on staff at my current local church (a church I also grew up in for about 9 years before being on...