Embracing the New Wine: Reflections on the Changing Landscape of Ministry

“In the crushing, in the pressing You are making new wine In the soil I now surrender You are breaking new ground…” New Wine by Hillsong Worship My story of crushing and pressing really began in the middle of the pandemic. That’s when I gradually realized that the seminary training I received no longer aligned with reality. The U.S. Church

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Christ Between Us

“Good morning, pastor.”  “I am so glad you are my pastor.”  “If only we had a different pastor.”  “It must be nice to be a pastor and work only an hour a week.”  “Sorry, I shouldn’t say that in front of a pastor.”  “You, are a pastor?” I have been a pastor for more than a decade now. The comments

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Discipling Over Programming

I’m Sorry I Didn’t Make Disciples Sooner I come to you today with a confession:  I failed to take seriously the command of Jesus to make Disciples. For too long, in my three decades of ministry, I ignored the simple and direct command of Scripture to make disciples who will make disciples. It wasn’t on purpose. I thought I was

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Our King Carries A Towel, Not A Scepter

The world watched last September as millions mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth. Subsequently, many watched with great interest as Charles was enthroned as King in May. The pageantry and celebration had not been seen in a generation. As King Charles assumed the throne, he was given the regalia of royalty: a crown, an orb, and a scepter. However, it

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Why Your Soul Needs Silence

When I was young, my grandmother had strict rules against working on Sunday. We were not allowed to do household chores, work in the yard, or other such jobs. She insisted that we remember the day as one to rest from our work. She was so insistent on it that it frequently seemed that we worked hard to rest. Why

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Stop Trying to Resolve Every Tension in Your Church

Over the years I’ve observed that many of the problems we have in mission and ministry stem from our confusion between two similar yet distinct concepts: Conflict and Tension. Understanding the Difference Between Conflict and Tension Now, since these are pretty common words, it might be helpful to offer definitions for the sake of this conversation: Conflict: “An incompatibility between

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Are We Fighting Over the Wrong Things in Church?

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at

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A Sermon For Pastors

Do you mind if we drive around a bit in the Word? I’d like to show pastors some points of interest that have changed the way I understand ministry. If you need to set your GPS, I’ll tell you that we’re going to start in 2 Timothy where we’ll pick up a three-letter key. Then we’ll stop in Luke 9

Read More ⟶

Embracing the New Wine: Reflections on the Changing Landscape of Ministry

“In the crushing, in the pressing You are making new wine In the soil I now surrender You are breaking new ground…” New Wine by Hillsong Worship My story of crushing and pressing really began in the middle of the pandemic. That’s when I gradually realized that the seminary training I received no longer aligned with reality. The U.S. Church

Read More ⟶

Christ Between Us

“Good morning, pastor.”  “I am so glad you are my pastor.”  “If only we had a different pastor.”  “It must be nice to be a pastor and work only an hour a week.”  “Sorry, I shouldn’t say that in front of a pastor.”  “You, are a pastor?” I have been a pastor for more than a decade now. The comments

Read More ⟶

Discipling Over Programming

I’m Sorry I Didn’t Make Disciples Sooner I come to you today with a confession:  I failed to take seriously the command of Jesus to make Disciples. For too long, in my three decades of ministry, I ignored the simple and direct command of Scripture to make disciples who will make disciples. It wasn’t on purpose. I thought I was

Read More ⟶

Our King Carries A Towel, Not A Scepter

The world watched last September as millions mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth. Subsequently, many watched with great interest as Charles was enthroned as King in May. The pageantry and celebration had not been seen in a generation. As King Charles assumed the throne, he was given the regalia of royalty: a crown, an orb, and a scepter. However, it

Read More ⟶

Why Your Soul Needs Silence

When I was young, my grandmother had strict rules against working on Sunday. We were not allowed to do household chores, work in the yard, or other such jobs. She insisted that we remember the day as one to rest from our work. She was so insistent on it that it frequently seemed that we worked hard to rest. Why

Read More ⟶

Stop Trying to Resolve Every Tension in Your Church

Over the years I’ve observed that many of the problems we have in mission and ministry stem from our confusion between two similar yet distinct concepts: Conflict and Tension. Understanding the Difference Between Conflict and Tension Now, since these are pretty common words, it might be helpful to offer definitions for the sake of this conversation: Conflict: “An incompatibility between

Read More ⟶

Are We Fighting Over the Wrong Things in Church?

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at

Read More ⟶

A Sermon For Pastors

Do you mind if we drive around a bit in the Word? I’d like to show pastors some points of interest that have changed the way I understand ministry. If you need to set your GPS, I’ll tell you that we’re going to start in 2 Timothy where we’ll pick up a three-letter key. Then we’ll stop in Luke 9

Read More ⟶

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