4 ways new-ish parents win by simply making it to church (Part 2)
It’s a common experience for new parents or parents of young kids to feel like their experience of God has taken a dramatic turn. In this post, I make a case for why the simple discipline of going to church will make all the difference for you and your family.
“Help! Something Has Shifted Spiritually Since Having a Kid”(Part 1)
In the last few weeks, I’ve had multiple conversations with Jesus-loving parents of young kids who have expressed a spiritual wrestle and frustration in the new season of parenting. What do we make of the new season of parenting? This piece serves to encourage those who find themselves there.
How Shepherding Like a Barbarian Benefits the Church Flock (Church Season Part 3)
This third installment in the mini-series is about how pastors who shepherd with a posture of a barbarian can facilitate beautiful change which fuel and protect the flock of God.
The Dangerous Pull Towards Aristocratic Leadership in a Church’s Life Cycle (Part 2)
In part 2, I double-click into the aristocrat life stage and its associated leadership style and explain why this type of leadership can be so dangerous for a church and what I believe is the solution to fight against it.
“What Season Is My Church In?” Another Angle Of Your Church’s Life Stage (Part 1)
There are many ways we can comprehend the season or life stage of our churches. We can see assess it by spiritual temperature, liturgical season, or organizationally. In this post, I want to offer another take on viewing a church’s season through an organizational lens.
Are You Falling For a New Counterfeit Gospel?
Jesus-believing individuals can turn away to a “different gospel.” This turning away can occur rapidly and quickly according to the Bible. In this post, I want to share four versions of “different gospels” that I believe followers of Jesus ought to be aware of in our current moment and the antidote.
5 Things I Wish Were Different About My Seminary Experience - Part 2
Every organization and institutions have its limitations. There is no single entity that can holistically “do it all.” In this post, I share 5 things I wish were different about my seminary experience.
What My Seminary Professors Got Right (And What I Wish They Did Differently) - Part 1
I finished my theological training in seminary 10+ years ago. In this reflection, I share 5 things my seminary professors were spot on about. Their wisdom and discernment proved to be timeless. This is Part 1 of 2.
Here’s a Bad Take On The “Decline of Church Attendance in the West” Conversation
According to the data, church attendance is lower today than it was pre-pandemic. Those who have been paying attention know this isn’t new but part of an ongoing trend that has been documented for the past two decades. So why is this happening? This post explores the myriad of factors (spiritual, sociological, strategic) that may be at play, ultimately serving as an encouragement to stay away from simplistic, mic-drop answers.
When Tragedy Happens, Run to the Hurting (Not to a Narrative)
After a recent tragedy, I saw 3 different waves of narratives hit, one after another, within 48 hours. Why do we do this as a culture? Why do we rush so quickly to a narrative? I share why I believe we do this, the effect it can have on us and others, and the better path forward.
5 Lessons from Jackie Hill Perry & the Enneagram
Author, artist, and teacher Jackie Hill Perry shared on Instagram that she had changed her mind about the Enneagram personality test. Perry, who was once skeptical of those who said the Enneagram was demonic, said she came to the said conclusion after studying it for two days. I share 5 things we can learn from this scenario.
Let’s Thank the Bible for Wide-Spread Literacy
There’s a narrative out there that says the Bible is harmful to society. On its best days, this narrative says the Bible is “an ancient, irrelevant book.” On its worst? It says the Bible is “harmful, bigoted, and oppressive.” But if you’re reading this post what if I told you, you have the Bible to thank for that?
There’s a Better Solution to Uncertainty Than Control
Control is comforting because it puts “me” in the driver’s seat. But control is illusive and elusive. And this makes control draining. It is exhausting to bear the weight of an untrue reality, with all of its daily implications. In this post, I share a better way to navigate the uncertainties of life than control.
A Tale of Two Individualisms (And The Sexual Revolutions They Helped Create)
There’s a difference between “individualism” and “expressive individualism.” We see the impact of these two streams of thought when we view them through the filter of the sexual revolutions they helped give birth to. Contrasting the two raise important questions about how we attain significance and meaning, understand morality, and more.
Suspicion Is Not a Fruit of the Spirit
Whether we’re processing current events, assessing organizations, navigating relationships, or interpreting a text message, everyone’s suspicion meter has gone up. We’re more suspicious as a society than before. But Christians are also more suspicious than before as well. In this post, I share how we’ve confused suspicion for discernment and encourage us to be a people of hope.
Where did all the “gospel-centered” folks go?
A few years ago, it seemed like every pastor I knew was harping on “gospel centeredness.” Nowadays, I don’t see or hear as much passion about the gospel. In this post, I describe why this is understandable, but a little concerning from a discipleship standpoint.
Two Views on Church Gatherings on Christmas Day
Is your church having service on Christmas Day? In a few weeks, you may find yourself in a growing heated discussion between followers of Jesus throwing judgmental glances at one another. So who’s right? The person who attends church on Christmas Day? Or the person who doesn’t attend on Christmas Day?
What the American Church Can Learn from the Immigrant Church
Last week, our church staff held an inspiring live zoom interview with Tim Keller. Keller said, “Immigrant churches might be holding the key to the future in America.” This struck a nerve because I grew up in an immigrant church. In this post, I share 3 things.
3 Differences Between A Theologically Driven Church vs. An Ideologically Driven Church
In an article entitled, “The Coming Church Split (It’s Not What You Think)” Carey Nieuwhof made observations about four divergent roads churches will face as we move into the future. I read this article over a year ago and have kept thinking about his fourth and final point: “Ideologically Driven Versus Gospel-Driven” churches. In this post, I share 3 observed differences between these two churches.
Speeding Up By Slowing Down: A Leadership Paradox
As a pastor, I like to run fast and run some more. But while I’m inclined this way, I can’t deny the drawbacks of constant speed without ever letting up. There is a paradoxical relationship between speeding up and slowing down. Awareness of this reality will make a leader wise for greater stewardship.