Pastors, Let’s Not Make These Social Media Mistakes During Divisive Days
It’s challenging enough for pastors to lead their churches under great circumstances. The last thing pastors need is the loss of credibility due to unwise engagement with social media, especially during divisive times. In this blog post, I share a few social media mistakes pastors can make during divisive times and conclude with a few practical exhortations.
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.
Soul Guardrails for State Guidelines - Scriptures for the Church in Divisive Days
A few days ago, California gave guidelines for churches and other houses of worship in California on how they can safely re-gather amid the ongoing pandemic. This is exciting but opens the door for divisive times for the church. In this post, I share 4 passages of Scripture which serve as soul guardrails for how we understand and hope for our church to implement state guidelines.
Buildings and Babylon - Hope for the Church Facing an Uncertain Future in Search of a New Normal
Many leaders are tired and anxious and rightfully so. But I also believe we have good reason for hope in the future of the church. Based on the Babylonian Exile of Israel as a case study, we have good reason to believe God has a track record for how he will lead God’s people moving forwards.
4 Thoughts for Strategic Re-Opening for College & Young Adult Ministry Leaders
God has always leveraged crisis moments. In this post, I share 4 thoughts for consideration for college and young adult leaders preparing for re-opening.
The Spiritual Influence of Mothers
While Charles Spurgeon would go on to have an influential ministry career, publicly hailed as “The Prince of Preachers” he would go on to say the following regarding his mother: "I cannot tell you how much I owe to the solemn word of my good mother." This post is about the incredible influence mothers wield.
3 Opportunities for Parents With Young Children
My wife has been teaching me a lot about parenting these days. In this post, I share a few learnings from her that I believe are opportunities for parents with young children during this unqieu season.
“Tiger King” - A Case Study of Dominion and Depravity
Humanity is a frustrated species who feel the opposing pull of Genesis 1 (creation) and Genesis 3 (fall). We feel the gravitational pull of both royalty and rebellion. We want to build and to break, decorate and destroy. This post makes a a theological observation on the Netflix show “Tiger King'“
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.
Are You Grieving Well?
Henry Cloud once defined grief as “accepting the reality of what is.” In this post, I make a case for why we have to grieve well and the benefits that flow out of grieving well.
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.
How To Be Tone-Deaf During a Crisis
Presently, our world is in a global pandemic. There is fear, anxiety, and sadness. There is also tone-deafness in the way some have responded to Covid-19. In this post, I highlight 3 ways we can be tone-deaf in this present crisis.
Facebook Live Tips for Ministry (From an Oscars Producer)
As the Covid-19 season continues, many ministry leaders are turning to online platforms to continue their ministry. One of these platforms will be Facebook Live. While there are obvious ways to best utilize Facebook Live, a producer for the Oscars gave me a few helpful tips for consideration.
Why I’m Humbled as a Church Leader In a Time Like This
During this unique season of covid-19, I find myself humbled greatly as a church leader. In this post, I share 3 ways I’ve been humbled.
5 Reasons Bi-Cultural Church Leaders Don’t Get Hired
Would the Apostle Paul get hired today? I’m not so sure. Why is it hard for some bi-cultural church leaders to get hired? In this post, I give 5 reasons why bi-cultural church leaders don’t get hired.
Why the American Church Needs Bi-Cultural Leaders
Moses, Daniel, and the Apostle Paul walk into a bar and ask the bartender what the 3 have in common. You might say they were mightily used by God at crucial moments in history. But the other common denominator is that they were bi-cultural leaders. In this post, I share why I believe the American Church needs bi-cultural leaders.
Why Life Transitions Are Hard (And How to Handle It Well)
Every time you say “yes” to a change, you’re opening the door to transition. And opening the door to transitions, brings a disorientation we’re surprised to find we’re not always ready for. In this post, I share what these disorientations are and ways to navigate them.