Theology of Staffing
The great folks at The Gospel Coalition asked me to write a few articles on staffing. Here is the first one I wrote that is also posted on their website. Pastor David is perpetually frustrated, and he is self-aware enough to know it. As his church is growing, it seems he is always overwhelmed with […]
Discipleship: More than Information
Many churches equate discipleship with knowledge. Churches who view discipleship as information transfer seek to stuff as much information about the Bible into as many people as quickly as they possibly can. I realize this sounds noble, but the essence of discipleship is transformational not informational. Jesus did not merely ask us to teach everything […]
Values, Culture, and Facebook
While a church’s doctrinal statement, strategy, and leadership structure are all important, the church culture trumps them all. Culture is the alpha male in the room. It dominates everything else. As leadership guru Peter Drucker said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” He was not diminishing strategy, as Drucker wrote a lot about organizational strategy and […]
The Bottom-Line of Church Ministry
The reason Jesus left His disciples on the planet was to make other disciples. The fundamental reason your church exists is to make disciples of Jesus. To the church at Colossae, the apostle Paul wrote a defining statement about his ministry to the church. “I have become its (the church’s) servant, according to God’s administration […]
A Letter for My Mom
When my mom celebrated her 60th birthday last year, my sister-in-law compiled a book of letters for her. Below is the letter I wrote to my mom. I am reposting it here in honor of her as we approach Mother’s Day Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: “Many women are […]
Leo Tolstoy: Youth Group President?
In many student ministries, Leo Tolstoy would be viewed as a hero, a model for moral discipline and Christian virtue. Tolstoy was a famous Russian philosopher and author in the mid-1800s, best known for his novel War and Peace. He pursued moralistic perfection in his faith, a task that many viewed as noble. He set […]
McDonald’s, Jonathan Edwards, and Holy Affections
When I was in elementary school, I craved McDonald’s. When my parents let me pick the meal for the night, McDonald’s was the choice. If you had told me that I could eat McDonald’s every day of my life, I would have thought you were describing heaven. I enjoyed Big Mac’s and number 3 combo […]
Even to Death on a Cross…
While studying Philippians 2:5-11 for the Easter message I was honored to preach at two Christ Fellowship Miami campuses, the Lord stirred my heart. I thought I would share a few thoughts from the one phrase “even to death on a cross.” Jesus displayed deep humility in His birth as well as in life, from […]
Our Hunger for Story
Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you’ve heard of the movie The Hunger Games. The movie is actually based on a book series that I’ve not read—probably because I am not a 13-year-old girl. I don’t want to ruin the movie for you, so I will stop where the trailer does, but the movie […]
Ministry Calling: What, Who, and Where
Through my years in ministry, I have noticed people describe their commitment or calling to a specific place of ministry differently. Some speak of a calling to a specific task or role, such as “I am called to preach” or “I am called to work with teenagers.” These are the “what” leaders who focus on “what” […]