When You’re Ready to Transition Out of Vocational Pastoral Ministry
In April 2021, my wife and I stepped down as pastors of the church we'd started planting a decade earlier. It was one of the hardest decisions we'd ever made as a couple. But looking back, we can see that it was a necessary ending. And what do I mean by a "necessary...
Preaching as an Invitation, Not Manipulation
When does preaching cross the line from influencing people to manipulating them? That depends on whether we are respecting people’s freedom.
Four Promises Churches and Their Leaders Should Stop Making
It’s tempting to market the church with promises of connection, significance, and security. But we’ve failed far too often to keep these promises, so perhaps humility is in order as we work on changing things for the better.
Preaching About It IS Doing Something About It
When an issue breaks your heart and keeps you up at night, you must pray about it. And if, upon praying about it, God burdens you with a message rooted in scripture that may well disturb the status quo, you must deliver it. And you must do so boldly.
13 Ways Church Leaders Can Serve Those Struggling with Mental Health Issues
It’s inevitable. If you’re in ministry long at all, you will absolutely find yourself ministering to people who struggle with mental health issues. And rather than there being clear boundaries between the mental and spiritual parts of us, we are, instead, whole...
Preaching a Church Vision Sermon Series? 4 Principles and 4 Tips
When the temperatures cool down and the kids head back to school, life resumes a sense of routine and normalcy. (Of course, for my friends in the southern hemisphere, you're just getting warmed up, but bear with me...) Early Fall tends to be an optimum time for...
3 Elements Every Sermon Needs: An Angle, an Anchor, and an Application
Preaching is both science and art, and don't let anyone convince you otherwise. The science of preaching is understanding and dissecting, as precisely as possible, the intention of the ancient writer of scripture. The art of preaching is presenting ancient truth and...
8 Ways to Hook Your Audience Into Your Sermon
Which is more important? To preach a message that accurately reflects the intent of your text while no one pays attention? Or to get to the heart of the meaning of a text with a congregation that is fully tuned in to what you're saying? The biblical text should...
The Point of Preaching is Effecting Change
I'm going to change the world! There are two sides to this popular sentiment. On the one hand, it's hyperbolic and perhaps even arrogant and egocentric to believe that I, personally, am going to be so influential that I will literally change the very course of human...
Leading in the Confidence of God’s Calling
Ever struggle with confidence? I think it’s widespread among leaders. Even though we’ve experienced some success, have heard affirming messages from others, and believe that God gifts his people for leadership and ministry, we still struggle to actually believe we can...