Is “Gospel-Centeredness” Still Relevant in a Post-Everything, Spiritual Formation World?
Gospel centrality, the thought that the work of Christ—His death and resurrection—as being foundational and the lens through which we understand all things discipleship used to be popular. Is this still relevant in the current life of the church? Or is this now an outdated question in light of cultural shifts?
3 Deadly Mindsets That Kill Volunteer Recruiting
Volunteer recruitment is Biblical and crucial. But it oddly goes missing sometimes in the life of a church. I believe one of the causes is a debilitating mindset that cuts the legs off of mobilizing God’s people. In this post, I unpack three of these deadly mindsets.
3 Key Questions To Ask Yourself When Hiring For Church Staff
Hiring is important in any organization and it’s just as important, if not more so, in a local church context. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the hiring process these last few years, it’s this: It’s all about asking the right questions.
“Sin Doesn’t Care About Your Ministry Convictions, Affiliations, or Theological Tribes”
That’s what I tearfully shared with eight lead pastors on an early Tuesday afternoon. Sin is vicious. It is apathetic to our church ministry backgrounds. And it is crouching at the door.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Could “dragging the kids to church” be a good thing?
Who wants to go to church with kids who don’t want to be there? What kid wants a church experience where they have to go? We should just let kids be, right? Let them do their own thing? Parents can enjoy church on their own and we don’t want or kids to grow up hating the church. But while this line of thinking may appear right, there’s data that paints a different picture. Consistent church-attendance for our kids may be better for their future.
Why THAT Church Is Still More Than Its Failures
In the last few years, we’ve seen leadership implosions and scandals from churches large and small. There’s a real temptation to reduce the whole of a church down to its failure. And while I understand the kneejerk impulse, here’s an unpopular opinion: That’s only partially true. THAT church is still more than its failures.
So I Teach a Class On Race At My Church…
Teaching on race in a church context is not something I ever vied for. But the other day, I gave a 40-minute lecture on race followed by a brief question & answer section. These are a few of my reflections as I drove home after.
Disney’s Recent Films Are Demonstrating the Inadequacies of Individualism
Personal identity is never so personal. “Encanto” and “Turning Red” are stories that highlight the need for bridging generational divides, and how family issues play such a powerful force in the lives of individuals. Our understanding of ourselves and our sense of overall well-being is always tied to our collective backgrounds and experiences in a broader community.
Why Physical Church Attendance Is A “New" Spiritual Discipline
The Covid-era has changed how God’s people engage with the local church. In this post, I share why we should no longer assume that people view the physical gathering as being essential, but help people to understand why it is so. Churches have to associate physical church gathering as one of the spiritual disciplines alongside Bible reading, prayer, community life, generosity, etc.
Is My Church Healthy? Here’s An Indicator We Don’t Often Think About
There is more to a healthy church than theological literacy, emphasis on spiritual practices, robust small group systems, or engaged volunteer teams (as important and as essential as these are). In this post, I share why I believe there's a correlation between the handling of staff departure and the health of a church.
“My church’s teaching model is video and live hybrid. Here’s why I love it.”
My church people receive God’s Word through a combination of live or video teaching on a given weekend. I never thought I’d be part of a church (much less the lead pastor) that utilizes this hybrid model. But the bigger surprise for me has been why I’ve grown to love this model so much. This post details these reasons.
I’m Launching a Church This Weekend. Here’s Some Backstory
What started out last year as a localized gathering to serve God’s people makes the transition as an official congregation this coming Sunday. In this post, I share some personal backstory and subsequent learnings from the last 15 months.
Do We Hurt Young Leaders When We Platform Them Too Quickly?
How quickly should young leaders be platformed? Do we set up young leaders for failure when we empower them too much, too quickly? How do we wisely unleash the gifts of younger leaders so it looks beautiful 20 years later? Is there a way to make it fall-proof? This post explores these questions.
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.