4 lessons from Paul’s Athens encounter
In a time when even small talk can spark tension, sharing our faith feels risky. One wrong word and the conversation shuts down.
10 practical ways to encourage a discouraged church
When a church becomes discouraged, energy drains away and mission focus fades. Evangelism slows. Outreach dwindles. Over time, discouragement settles like fog over the entire congregation. Yet, God specializes in breathing new life into tired hearts and weary churches. Even the most downtrodden church can rediscover hope, strength, and purpose.
6 cautions about church growth
I start this post with a caveat: I believe in the historical understanding of Church Growth, marked by evangelism that necessarily resulted in disciples in the local church.
The 7Cs of leadership
There are leadership traits every successful leader needs. Here's a list of seven that are helpful for the journey.
What is a Gospel-centered church and why do we need one?
The Gospel affects the entire life of a believer, and the same is true for a body of believers that comprise a local church. Churches, and all that they do, should have a particular Gospel focus. From the preaching to the polity, everything should be intentionally centered on the Gospel. The purpose of this short […]
10 reasons for new believers and older ones, too
My first years as a Christ-follower weren’t easy. I was in my early teens, wanting to be faithful to God but also seeking to fit in with my peers. I wish someone had helped prepare me for the journey. If I were writing today a new believer’s guide today for people like me, I would include a simple “lessons learned” section
FIRST-PERSON: 6 steps toward a great mentoring relationship
Every disciple of Jesus needs voices that sharpen, stretch and strengthen their walk with Christ. For leaders especially, a mentor can mean the difference between leading from exhaustion or leading from overflow. The right one multiplies Gospel impact – not just in your ministry, but in your life as a disciple.
12 markers for pastoral bitterness
It happens. Pastors get smacked around in church work, and they often bear the scars of anger and bitterness. My fear is that many pastors let that bitterness settle into their hearts, and they never really deal with it. Here are some markers that catch my attention: Be honest—does any of these markers hit home […]
Digital worship fatigue
When the pandemic arrived, churches around the world had no choice but to pivot to online worship. Sanctuaries were empty, but livestreams and Zoom calls gave congregations a way to stay connected. For a time, the transition felt almost miraculous. Churches that had never considered online ministry suddenly found themselves reaching people far beyond their usual walls.
7 reasons God leads leaders into tough situations
I know this post may not be popular, but I think it’s an important one. Many church leaders face difficult ministry scenarios, but they know God led them there.
How to recognize insecure spirituality
There’s an epidemic in our churches, and it seems to be true across evangelical, charismatic, mainline Protestant, and Catholic churches. Like most epidemics, it’s invisible but widespread. It’s an epidemic of insecurity. We believers are remarkably insecure. Before you take that as an insult, let me explain. It might just be the key to discovering a freshness, depth, and secure love you’ve never known before.
