The Time I Used the Heimlich

Not long ago, my son and I were eating in a local restaurant. All of a sudden, a lady at the table next to us stood up and started shouting, “Somebody do the Heineken! Somebody do the Heineken!” I was pretty sure the word she was looking for was “Heimlich,” but this wasn’t a time …

To Build or Not to Build?

Building programs. Surely that phrase ranks somewhere on the top ten most polarizing issues in church life. Having pastored a church through a building program, I know first-hand about the added stress and strain they can cause. At the same time, I recognize the benefits that new facilities offer. Like any other major decision in …

5 Tips For Cultivating Discipleship In Your Church

1) Pastors should identify the disciple-making that is already happening within their Church. Disciples are being made in every church -the only question is “disciples of what?” Although not all of the discipleship is intentional or profitable, the good news for pastors is that they do not have to create the momentum –it already exists. …

What is Your Church Advertising?

I see a lot of church advertising these days. Many churches are utilizing billboards, print ads, and social media for the purpose of outreach. I love the concept of utilizing creative spaces to advance the kingdom. However, there is a something unsettling about public ads that advertise with slogans such as: “In depth preaching,” “Contemporary …

I’m Not a Real Farmer, But I Play One in Ministry…

I just had a fascinating conversation with my brother-in-law, Andy, about discipleship. Andy farms and knows all about tractors (especially a certain green brand). We were talking about how people respond better to teaching when someone has taken the time to work with them personally in their spiritual life. In the middle of the conversation, …

What is Your Community Mission?

When missionaries are commissioned to plant a church, they are expected to reach the community to which they have been sent. For instance, a missionary sent to a suburb of Omaha, Nebraska is expected to reach the people in that particular area through community engagement. Many times this takes shape as a service project such …

We Love Gay People

Several years ago, I published this article in a denominational paper. Needless to say, it received mixed reviews -some positive, some negative. Nonetheless, I think the issue is just as important as it was then -and certainly more relevant. I look forward to hearing your feedback.   Let’s put this in perspective. Fact: Homosexuality is …

The Fascinating Future of the Church

Science is fascinating -and sometimes scary. Did you know that prenatal screening now allows prospective parents to know all sorts of details about their child’s traits by removing a single cell from an embryo? While highly controversial, the concept highlights the incredible amounts of information God has stored in human DNA. As I contemplated the idea …

Why I Never Scheduled a Revival

As a pastor, church members would occasionally ask, “Why don’t we have revivals?” To which I would sometimes answer, “I don’t know, but I wish God would send one soon –don’t you?” Of course, I knew what they were really asking. “Why don’t we have a series of services set aside each year for preaching …