Are you making progress?
Last summer our family made the trek north to Acadia National Park. This was new territory for us. The journey between central Pennsylvania and New York City has been well traveled, but beyond that we had no idea what the region would hold for us. I believe in my abilities…
7 Things To Do Now That Your Church Is Online
Sometimes when I think about my church’s online presence, it stresses me out. I’m comfortable online. We have a strategy and a team. We have been using our approach effectively for a long time, and yet it still feels overwhelming to consider all the new trends, how to keep gathering…
Depression and the Path of the Pastor
CAPTAIN OBVIOUS Pastoring has changed in many ways from the way I entered it 33 years ago. The expectations are now so different. Not just the expectations of others, but the expectations we have for ourselves. As podcasts have become available, the obvious challenge is: Can I keep up with…
Worship In Your Context
What do you think of when you hear the phrase high impact? Maybe a really intense workout or an extreme collision? I’m guessing worship isn’t what pops into your mind first… Simply put, high impact worship makes a difference in people’s lives – not just the lives of a congregation,…
How To Build A Healthy Kids Ministry
The COVID pandemic has revealed some previously hidden spiritual weaknesses in our churches. As we assess the damage and take steps to lead our churches to better spiritual health, we must not overlook the health of our children and children’s ministries. We wouldn’t be the first to make that fatal…
Not For Them – For You
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not…
Unity, Identity and Credentialing
The main distinction of Christianity from all other world religions is Christianity’s understanding of the purpose of man, his condition, his destiny and God’s intervention into creation through the God-man Jesus Christ. Christianity’s details center on the beauty and grace-soaked doctrines of the person of Christ, his work and his…
Rethinking Women’s Ministry
When I sit and ponder what my life has looked like, I remember all the crazy and hard times I have walked through. When I was three, I saw my two-year-old brother fall off a three-story fire escape head first. He is still alive today. My father struggled with drugs…
Parents: The Wisest Among Us
Assumptions are the Achilles heel of relationships. Left on their own, with no truth to keep them in check, assumptions can grow into an impenetrable barrier. Any hope of relationship understanding or commonality is overshadowed by a belief that we already know what the other person is thinking. One’s motivation,…
How to Develop A Vibrant Prayer Ministry in your Church
I think it is safe to say that most pastors desire a healthy prayer ministry in their churches. We know prayer is important, but it seems like an uphill struggle to motivate and encourage people to deepen their commitment to prayer. It feels like the hill turns into a cliff…
Politics and Our Christian Witness
At the EFCA East Leadership Conference in 2021, I led a breakout on Politics and Our Christian Witness. Deepening divides increase the intensity of the call for pastors and church leaders to focus on our witness to a greater kingdom and greater good than partisanship can offer, while continuing to…
Top 10 Tips to Juggle Family and Ministry, Not Burn Out, and Keep Your Sanity
Ministry is harder than you think – it can be hard on you mentally, emotionally and spiritually, not to mention hard on your marriage and family. How do you last without losing your mind or your faith? Here are 10 tips to keep you balanced, fresh, and sane! But before…
