Preachers –have you ever noticed that some of your most well received messages are the ones for which you have studied the least? Don’t worry –I’m not advocating a lack of study. However, I think it is important to understand why this phenomenon occurs. When an idea first enters your mind, it is simple to …
Author Archives: Scott Attebery
He, Me, and We
Remember the blind man that Jesus healed by spitting on the ground and rubbing mud on his eyes? The story begins with the apostles asking who had sinned, his mother or father, that he would be born blind. It’s a peculiar story found in John chapter 9. As I was reading it today, I noticed …
Missing on Mothers Day
I speak about Jill in many of my sermons. Partly because she was an incredible disciple-maker, partly because she was the love of my life, partly because her story has been able to help others struggling with loss, and partly because I want to honor her. Recently, I was sitting among worshippers, waiting for my …
Road Trip: Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
In my recent trip to Myaguez, Puerto Rico, I was blessed to see Ephesians 4:11-12 in action. Ephesians 4:11-2 states, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” On one day in one room, …
5 Character Traits of Growing Churches (Excerpt)
Here is an excerpt from my new free e-booklet, Five Character Traits of Growing Churches: “He sure is growing up.” That’s a common phrase around my household. I swell up with a sense of pride as neighbors, friends and family notice my son’s growth. Bryce is six now and it is hard to keep up with …
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More Rules?
My son is going to daycare this week for the first time in his life. He absolutely loves it. In fact, he’s been telling me about the rules he has learned (no hitting, screaming, yelling, etc). Most of the rules at daycare are similar to our family rules. But a few are different. For instance …
Your Christianese May Be Dangerous
One of the most popular phrases in Christianity is “God is telling me to…” It is also one of the most dangerous. In Jeremiah 28, a man named Hananiah proclaimed that God would free the people of Judah from Babylonian captivity within two years. When the prophet Jeremiah heard this, he told Hananiah (paraphrasing) “I …
How “This Little Light of Mine” Can Grow
“This little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine…” I remember singing those words as a child in Sunday School. The song is based upon Jesus’s words. I particularly like Mark’s account: And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not …
“Like Riding a Bike”
This is one of my favorite talks I’ve given at the SOAR conference. Its a simple way to look at how Christ made disciples and how we can follow His example.
Be Encouraged in Your Role
Ministers, are you ever discouraged by the feeling that you’ll never see your goals achieved? Welcome to the club. 19th century Irish missionary, Robert Bruce spent ten years among Muslims in India before beginning his life’s work in Iran. The labor was difficult and filled with frustration. Yet, Bruce’s attitude was filled with a long-view …