Essay
On Christian Leadership
A fresh exploration of Christian leadership principles.
Pastoral Ministry
15 articles
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Interview
Ministry roundtable discussion with Challies, Cosper, Perman, Thacker, and Schumacher
Weeks in to the global coronavirus shutdown, there have been numerous articles, interviews, think pieces, and a ton of speculation. I guess I’m late to the party. :) I had the opportunity to sit down with five of the smartest people I know and ask them what they were thinking, feeling, reading, and wondering about […]
Commentary
Sermon: The Marks of a Minister + Q&A session
Paul's authenticity as a minister of the New Covenant was demonstrated through his perseverance in affliction and his sacrificial, Spirit-filled service while proclaiming the gospel. His transformed l
Commentary
Sermon: The Marks of a Minister + Q&A session
Paul demonstrated his authenticity as a minister of the New Covenant through his perseverance in affliction and his sacrificial, Spirit-filled actions in proclaiming the gospel. His transformed life s
Commentary
Sermon: Stump the Pastors Q&A Time
I'd be happy to help you write a summary for the "Stump the Pastors Q&A Time" sermon, but I don't see the actual sermon content in your message. Could you please provide the sermon text, transcript, o
Commentary
Sermon: Stump the Pastors Q&A Time
I'd be happy to help you write a summary for the "Stump the Pastors Q&A Time" sermon, but I don't see the actual sermon content in your message. Could you please provide the transcript, notes, or key
Commentary
Turn off TBN.
Unfortunately, this post is going to be controversial. That saddens me. Last year, a study found that most American Christians actually hold heretical (contrary to true doctrine) beliefs. TBN is part of the problem, in my opinion. This past Sunday, in my sermon at Stonebrook, I went on a bit of a tangent and exhorted our […]
Reflection
Shepherd-sheep, Teacher-student
As a shepherd of God’s people, my job is to lead people to The Shepherd, Jesus. Because I need Him as much as (maybe more than) everyone. My job in saying “follow me” is not that you would model my good behavior, but my admission that I am in need if Grace, which He freely […]
Reflection
All things to all people, or a few things to a few?
When I think about it, I have heard (and myself used) the verse “I have become all things to all people, that by any means, I might save some.” (1 Cor 9:22b) as cause to hyper-focus on a demographic in ministry. i.e., becoming a “rock-and-roll” church… But isn’t this “becoming some things to some people” […]
Link Post
Joy in Bi-vocational Ministry
Yesterday I wrote a post at Challies.com, sponsored by MereChurch, on a topic that is exceedingly relevant to my life (and many others, I gather!): Three Roads to Joy in Bi-vocational Ministry. The three roads are: 1. EMBRACE ALL YOUR VOCATIONS AS FROM AND FOR GOD. Because each of the roles you find yourself right […]
Reflection
To My Fellow Worship Leaders
Reflecting back on 10 years of ministry, this excerpt from the prologue of The Worship Sourcebook resounds with truth to me:
Commentary
The Myth of Work-Life Balance
John Beeson asserts that work-life balance is an unobtainable myth, and that we instead need a system and support structures to help us manage our lives, tasks, and time. I couldn’t agree more, and I think there are immense parallels in the ministry world. Here are some key thoughts in the article: