SAM, A PASTOR Let me tell you a story about a friend of mine.  Let’s call him “Sam.” Sam, a pastor with 30 years of service said to me one day, “John, I’m so tired.” I understood him completely in that moment, and I knew he needed deep rest. My response to Sam? “Listen to…

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I have three daughters, ages 14 years, 10 years, and 22 months. Before you ask: I don’t know what we were thinking and yes, that is a big gap. But lately I’ve been amazed at just how quickly my youngest daughter has gone from pointing and yelling “dat!” while we try to figure out what…

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How many times have you preached or taught or written about the epidemic?  Not COVID, the other epidemic. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve preached “against” the epidemic of individualism in our culture. Not a red-faced rant kind of preaching, but a measured presentation of the costs we pay for becoming increasingly isolated…

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Most people started the year by capitalizing on the novelty and nuances that came along with its introduction. Witty sayings emerged, even within the Church, like: Gospel Focus, Remain Focused, Keep Your Eyes On Jesus, 2020 Bible Vision, Focus 2020 – and here’s a good one, 2020 Vision. Nevertheless, it seemed that the Church had…

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For the past six years I have practiced the rhythm of asking the Lord to give me a word for the upcoming year. Usually in late November or early December I begin praying and seeking His direction about a word that He has for me that will help me grow spiritually and serve more effectively. In…

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The expectation that we are all highly functioning leaders, at all times, has to die. I certainly don’t want my volunteers trying to live up to that impossible expectation, so we tell our leaders and volunteers that our expectation for them is that they aren’t perfect, just growing.  Yet, when it comes to the expectations…

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