30 Best Resources on Church Planting
Since I’ve dived (dove? diven?) into the life of a church planter, I’ve come across some really great resources—among some less-than-helpful ones—and thought I’d share them…
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Rooted: Pastoral Reflections on Place
Lord, you have made my lot secure. —King David, Psalm 16 1. In both my personal life and pastoral ministry, I am sustained by this underlying conviction: our place in this world…
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The Weight of Story
How to Discover, Embrace, and Tell Your Story “Stories are verbal acts of hospitality.” Eugene Peterson, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places 1. In the Spring of 2005, at…
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The Leader’s Renewal
Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. St. Paul, First Timothy 4:16 *** My favorite definition of leadership comes from John Piper: Spiritual leadership is knowing…
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The Paradox of Pain
I was first diagnosed with chronic pain when I was a teenager. For more than a decade, I’ve woken up in pain and remained in pain. Only recently have I discovered that I’m not…
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Hip Hop History: Early Years
“Our art is a reflection of our reality.” – Ice Cube, Straight Outta Compton *** I have always loved rap. When I was in high school, in about the year 2000, I inherited my…
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The Three Functions of an Executive Pastor
1. What is an executive pastor? He is a man called by God to lead a church family to health, mission and effectiveness. He is typically the staff leader chiefly responsible for…
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Two Decades of Betrayal, Failure & Disaster
Once among the most revered and successful teams in professional sports history, the former brilliance of the Kansas City Chiefs has been, in the words of the old narrator,…
New Year, New Ministry
A Big Announcement This coming Spring, we are moving back to Columbia, Missouri to plant a new Christ centered church for a city that we love.…
Writing a Rule of Life
Rooted: Pastoral Reflections on Place
The Weight of Story
Manage Your Soul, Not Your Time
A Fellowship of Differents
Longing to Become a Diverse Church As of last week, we are fully in “back to school season.” Our oldest son headed off to first grade,…
The Rhythms of Discipleship
The really good news for humanity is that Jesus is now taking students in the master class of life. – Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart…
On Contentment and Simplicity
Mo’ money, mo’ problems. —Notorious B.I.G. Left unchecked, our lives become increasingly complex. We take in too much information and get decision fatigue. We become hyper-connected…
Writing a Rule of Life
Only take heed, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all…
How (and Why) to Keep a Time Log
Why Our Time Matters Peter Drucker once wrote that the very first step to achieving balance and clarity in work and life is to keep a…
Manage Your Soul, Not Your Time
“Our soul is like a stream of water, which gives strength, direction and harmony to every other area of life.” Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart…
The Meaning of Game Seven
I have described in my previous essays The League and There Will Never Be Another Kobe, that there have been two major movements within NBA history…
Summer in Group Life
Each year around this time, community group leaders begin to ask, “What should we do this summer?” Many groups choose to take a break from regular gatherings;…
