What Christian Theology Has to Do with My Reality

What Christian Theology Has to Do with My Reality

I was born the day before my father started seminary. My dad loves to quip, “My mentors recommended I not start a family and grad school at the same time, so I started my family on Sunday and seminary on Monday!” It must have been a nightmare at the time, but the...
Covered Glory

Covered Glory

I couldn’t understand why the more we talked about Jesus, the more outwardly pious my friend Imani became. When I first met her, she rarely bothered to cover her hair with a headscarf. She wore shirts not long enough to conceal her hips, and she didn’t seem to care...
God’s Plan for Renewal to the Ends of the Earth

God’s Plan for Renewal to the Ends of the Earth

The word renew means to continue something after it is paused. This is what happens to God’s plan to fill the world with His presence through His children. They again renew, re-engaging their calling to partner with God in the spreading of His presence in the world....
Becoming an Ordinary Mystic

Becoming an Ordinary Mystic

I was ten years old. I was sitting on the floor of my bedroom and paging through a picture book about the lives of the saints. It was December 14. I know the date because I distinctly remember turning to that day’s page to see whose feast day the Catholic Church...
8 Ways Churches Can Welcome Well

8 Ways Churches Can Welcome Well

Attending church can be the loneliest event of the week for new visitors longing for connection. When my family moved from Chicago to Colorado, we visited nearly twenty churches in three years. (We considered starting a collection of church mugs from welcome tables.)...
4 Ways to Thrive as a Leader

4 Ways to Thrive as a Leader

    Executive pastors hold a unique role in the church. They’re responsible for maintaining and improving church operations, as well as ensuring their church team remains healthy and aligned with their church’s vision. It takes a blend of business acumen and...
Four Phrases Every Pastor Should Say Every Sunday

Four Phrases Every Pastor Should Say Every Sunday

    There’s something powerful about repetition. Doing the same thing day in and day out. Over time habits start to form, and those habits play a big role in our lives. If you have good habits, your life tends to go well. If you have bad habits, your life...
10 Preaching Mistakes You Should Avoid

10 Preaching Mistakes You Should Avoid

    I always feel a bit awkward giving preachers advice on preaching since I’m an Executive Pastor who only preaches a few times of year, but just hear me out. I’m actually probably more qualified than most people because while you are preaching the...
Engage children in worship in 4 simple steps

Engage children in worship in 4 simple steps

    “How do we engage children in church?” This age-old question remains paramount for almost every children’s ministry leader, parent and pastor. And if you’ve ever sat up late at night, cutting out the gazillionth piece for some Pinterest craft that seemed...