Nov 26, 2020 | Inspiration
Do you have people within your congregation who desire to know more about the Bible and grow in their faith, but have neither the time nor finances to enroll in seminary? Do you want your church to not only have a stronger understanding of what and why they believe,...
Nov 25, 2020 | Inspiration
Blacksmithing serves as a perfect metaphor for the long, hard, repetitive, seemingly violent method of transforming a leader. If the purpose of a transformational leader is, in the words of Dr. King, to “hew out of a mountain of despair stones of hope” then we would...
Nov 25, 2020 | Inspiration
MONUMENTAL COLLABORATIONS In this unexpected year of hardship, it’s remarkable to see organizations work together to serve households residing in the “Last Mile of Need”: a metaphorical region of families who have fallen between the gaps with unmet...
Nov 23, 2020 | Perspectives
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...
Nov 20, 2020 | Inspiration
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...
Nov 19, 2020 | Inspiration
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...
Nov 18, 2020 | Perspectives
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...
Nov 17, 2020 | Inspiration
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...
Nov 13, 2020 | Perspectives
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...