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.
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.
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.
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.
Reflections from The Mars Hill Podcast
“The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” podcast series has come to an end. Some have loved the series. Others have wondered if we’re just soaking in the failure of others. But wherever you stand on the validity of the podcast series, we can all agree that there is much to reflect on and learn from the Mars Hill story itself. In this post, I share a few of my reflections.
5 Reminders For Those Listening to “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill”
I told myself I would not write a blog regarding this podcast series. But here’s why I’ve changed my mind: More and more church members (not just church leaders) are listening in. So out of the burden of what God’s people are hearing, here are a few words of encouragement for those listening to the Rise and Fall of Mars Hill.
I became a lead pastor 10 years later than I wanted. Here’s why I’m glad for it.
I wanted to be a lead pastor at 25. But instead of giving me what I thought I wanted, God used the next 10 years to bring me to a place where I wasn’t sure it was something I even wanted. But to my surprise, a decade later, I find myself stepping into a lead pastor role. And I could not be more grateful it’s happening now, and not then.
Why Your Pastor Is Busy
Does it ever seem like your pastor or team of pastors is busy? I mean, what do they do all day anyway? Don’t they just read the Bible, pray, and send out an email or two? In this post, I point to the complexities of the pastoral role through the many hats they wear and what that means for pastors and their people.
Here’s How To Know If the Church You Attend is Missional
How can I know if my church is missional? The answer lies not by looking at your church’s vision or mission statement (no matter how beautifully crafted). It’s also not by pointing to your church’s outreach events (though they can be helpful). I believe there is a more surprising and sure indicator for whether your church is missional.
Why Pain (Inflicted by Another Leader in Ministry) Can Be a Gift for a Church Leader
One of the greatest pains in ministry is the pain inflicted by our partners and teammates in ministry. You’ve heard the stories. What good could come of it? In this post, I highlight an invaluable embedded gift under the crucible of this kind of leadership pain.
Workflow Rhythms for Pastors to Consider for the Health of their Church, Family, and their Souls
As pastors engage in the daily grind to be faithful to their people, they can fall into the trap where the very effort to manage one’s duties can result in a pastor being managed by them which can be to the detriment of their church, family, and their own souls. In this post, I explore a workflow rhythm for sustainable health and holistic life integration.
Why I Believe How A Pastor Transitions May Be a Microcosm of One’s Ministry Tenure
I’ve often heard the quote, “It’s not how you start, but how you finish.” But what if what happens in the middle serves as indicators for how one starts and finishes. In this post, I explore why I believe the manner and way in which a pastor transitions serves as a microcosm of how one operated during one’s ministry tenure.
What Does It Mean for a Church to Love Its Neighbor Right Now (During a pandemic)?
I’ve come across comments from certain church leaders saying things along the lines of, “The church should do [fill in the blank] as an act of love for neighbor.” While I appreciate the prophetic posture of these comments, I can’t help but feel that it’s reducing the complexity of our current context and the church’s response to see through an unhelpful tunnel vision. This post seeks to broaden the conversation so that we see it more holistically,
The Courage and Wisdom of Pastoral Silence
Have you wondered why some pastors have been so silent on the many issues we’ve faced this year? Are they cowards? Are they trying to protect their job? Or are they actually courageous and really wise? In this post, I make a case for the latter. I hope this helps pastors to feel free from the pressure of saying things just for the sake of it.
10 Lessons for Young Pastors From the Life of Charles Spurgeon
Charles Spurgeon was a famous 19th century London pastor of an influential church, The Metropolitan Tabernacle. Many recognize him today as “The Prince of Preachers” and the author of treasured works such as “Lectures to My Students” and “The Treasury of David.” I also believe there is much to glean from his life, especially for young pastors. Upon reading Arnold Dallimore’s biography of Charles Spurgeon, I saw 10 things that I believe are a helpful challenge and encouragement to young pastors today.
10 Learnings From My First Year
A year ago, I transitioned into a multi-ethnic megachurch after spending the majority of my life at ethnic-based churches. It was one of the most challenging and rewarding years of my life. It’s safe to say I learned a lot. In this post, I highlight some of my biggest learnings.
How Should I Think About Tithing During Covid-19?
Tithing (or giving) is a sensitive subject right now. With the economy down and churches not gathering, some are wondering if this should affect their giving patterns. So how should we think about giving as it relates to the church during this season?
What Your Pastor is Worrying About
There have been recent articles specifying ways you can pray for your pastor during this current season. In this post, I pull back the curtain and share what I believe pastors are wrestling with these days. While I know these concerns may not speak for all pastors, it’s my hope that these humanize your pastor and clarify the issues your pastor may be facing in his church.
4 Helpful Practices When Leading in a Crisis
There have been many great leadership articles during this season. This one takes a practical angle which gives four leadership practices that can make the world of a difference during a time when we need to be the difference for the world.
Marriage, Ministry, and My Biggest Mistakes
Ministry is a blessing. It can strengthen a marriage. But ministry will also place stressors on a marriage. Here are 4 mistakes I made as a married person in ministry.