Whose 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…
Stop Losing Your Young People
I recently came across an article about someone who zealously joined the alt-right movement, quickly rising through the ranks and becoming a well-respected member and moderator of various internet communities devoted to white nationalism. He spent his time befriending Neo-Nazis, and even instructing his family on what to do if…
3 Home Runs You Can Create For Your Ministry Right Now
As a lifelong baseball fan, I have always appreciated that, by nature, baseball is a team sport. No matter how good of a batter, pitcher, or fielder you are, you are utterly dependent on the rest of the team. You can have the greatest hitter of all time on your…
5 Things Your Number Two Needs From You.
At 33 years-old, I have now spent about half of my life devoted to student ministries. I started serving as a small group leader as a junior in high school, and for the past 16 years, I’ve continued to serve in various capacities within this realm. Not long after I…
Five Gifts to Give Visitors This Christmas
You may think of dinner around the table, Mom’s cookies, a football game, and off-key carols when you think of your best Christmas memories; but admit it, you like the gifts too. We all enjoy the mystery behind the bow, the thoughtfulness of the gift, and the love that offered…
4 Ways to Make an Email Newsletter Count
Communication is a vital part of life, especially for those in leadership of an organization and its vision. Every leader struggles with communicating effectively, whether it be an email, a seminar, or a sermon or speech. While there are many tools that we could explore, lets address the church newsletter.…
All Churches Multiply
What was the first thought that went through your mind when you read that title? If you’re anything like me, you’ve been turned off over so much emphasis on church multiplication at any expense that the mere suggestion of multiplication completely frustrates you. Yet, every church multiplies… Whether intentional…
When little makes a big impact.
I grew up in a little Norwegian Free church in Northern Minnesota. Do you know what I learned in my little church? I was with a multi-generational congregation where these old Scandinavian men and women in these prayer meetings would get down on their knees and weep and cry out…
5 Ways to Find and Trust The Help You Need
“So, if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once – if I have found favor in Your sight…” Numbers 11:15 How does kill me at once and finding favor in the sight of God go together in the same sentence, or better yet, in…
The Kingdom Without The King
Do you remember the posters that were all the rage a few years back? Groups of people would be huddled outside a store in a shopping mall, staring at a 2 x 3 poster of a random series of like-colored dots. You would cross your eyes, purposefully lose focus, change angles for…
3 Reasons You Are Stuck And How To Get Moving Again
This summer, our family did a cross country RV trip to experience some of the grandest sites this country has to offer. From sunsets at The Grand Canyon or La Jolla Beach and fireworks over Arches National Park to snow capped peaks in Breckenridge, it took our breath away.…
How To Deal With Parents in Youth Ministry
“You have no idea what it’s like to be a parent of a high school student. You’ll understand once you have kids of your own.” My best laid plans to help fell flat. As these parents left my office my first thought was: “I’m a total failure. Is Walmart hiring?”…