Apr 25, 2023 | Perspectives
Organizational cultures are born in the intersections of shared relationships. If the quality of those relationships is healthy and constructive, that’s the kind of culture we’ll experience. If those relationships are toxic and fear-filled, well, that’s exactly the...
Apr 21, 2023 | Inspiration
As any runner can tell you, no one starts off running by signing up for a marathon. First I learned to run a mile, and then I worked up to a 5K, and then I tackled numerous half-marathons and a lot of intense training before building up the endurance to run 26.2...
Apr 18, 2023 | Editor's Pick, Inspiration
Matthew is a stereotypical millennial evangelical worship pastor. He dressed the part with his oversized sweater, ripped jeans, and converse shoes. He was highly creative, passionate, and extremely extroverted. I could feel his energy even before he walked into the...
Apr 14, 2023 | Inspiration
What does your congregation think when you encourage them to “go and make disciples” (nlt) like Jesus commissioned us in Matthew 28:16-20? If they are like most congregations, their thoughts are a mix of That sounds hard and I don’t know how to do that. Or I’ll bring...
Apr 11, 2023 | Inspiration
A minister’s duties may include everything from providing counseling and mentorship to organizing charitable events and helping to strengthen members’ faith. It can be difficult to see a person retire after they’ve played such an important role in your church and...
Apr 7, 2023 | Inspiration
The Bible positions David as a man after God’s own heart, and often in his early days, he was an exemplary leader. King David did, however, enter into a season of secret sin and humiliation. Psalm 51 is David’s prayer of response to the exposure of his sin—and it is...
Apr 4, 2023 | Editor's Pick, Perspectives
Our popular reading of Ephesians 2 is only a partial recognition of the gospel. We use Ephesians 2 to teach the doctrine of justification or eternal salvation—though even that language may be uncareful. The first half of the chapter has fallen prey to American...
Mar 31, 2023 | Refreshment
Love makes the world go ’round.” “All you need is love.” “Love can make you crazy . . .” As long as any of us can remember, poems, songs, films, and orators have tried to adequately describe and express love. Movies and TV programs focus on the pursuit of love and...
Mar 28, 2023 | Inspiration
According to legend, Augustine of Hippo was walking along the beach when he came upon a boy scooping up water with a shell. The two of them struck up a conversation and Augustine asked the boy what he was doing; he replied that he was emptying the sea. Augustine tried...