Push Through The Preaching Curve

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 …

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 …

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 …