Life
3 Ways To Be A Leader Who Listens
A number of years ago this question was posed to me by a friend: “To whose voice are you listening?” As I reflected on this question, it penetrated my mind and my heart in a way that I’ve never forgotten. There is a 3×5 card on my bedroom mirror and another in my office to…
Read More5 Ways To Achieve Longevity in Ministry
I’m a 53-year-old youth pastor. Most of the jokes at our youth ministry involve my baldness. I’m glad to give the students an easy target for their underdeveloped, juvenile sense of humor. Considering that our 19-year-old worship leader looks like a cross between Fabio and Samson, making fun of me for my high-gloss sheen is…
Read MoreDoes Your Work Matter?
Your work matters. Anything that brings order from chaos – forming, filling, or cultivating God’s good creation – joins Him in His work. It doesn’t always feel that way on Monday morning, though. Sometimes the message on Sundays seems to contradict all of that, feeling like the worlds of church and work are far from…
Read MoreWhose Kingdom Is It Anyway? 3 Warning Signs You Are Building Your Own Kingdom.
I wish I could believe that every congregation throughout the world had nothing in mind but building the Kingdom of God. I wish that was the first thing on every pastor’s mind. But the truth is, building your own kingdom is tantalizing and sometimes feels more rewarding, at least for the moment anyway. It’s sneaky…
Read More3 Practical Ways The Church Can Support Foster and Adoptive Parents
I will never forget May 4, 2018. May 4th is the day I became a mom. But it’s not my child’s birthday. On May 3, I wasn’t in labor or packing a hospital bag – I wasn’t actually even pregnant at all. And I fell asleep that night having no idea that it would be…
Read MoreHow To Build A Legacy Of Love
Legacy. A word that we as ministry leaders ponder at times. We ask ourselves things like, “Is what I’m doing making a difference? Does all of this time and energy focused on ministry matter? Will my life’s efforts and sacrifices have eternal value?” I think the questions we should be asking ourselves need to focus…
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