Blog
Enlargement of the Heart
Why I Struggle with Subjective Separation
Lessons from Five Years at Emmanuel
Five years ago yesterday, we officially began our journey of renewal and gospel ministry with the Emmanuel Baptist Church family. The months prior had been laced with many late-night wrestlings…
Standing in the Way of God’s Blessings…
I have debated with God’s clear voice of instruction to my heart. He always asks things I do not understand and cannot make sense of. He always presses me into steps of obedience…
Giving Grace in a Gotcha Culture
Can you imagine loving someone who wanted to kill you? Can you imagine having a broken heart of compassion for someone who hates you?
Make Sunday More Meaningful…
A healthy church is the most beautiful organization on earth, and makes Sunday the BEST day of the whole week. Would you like to make Sunday more meaningful to your soul?
11 Questions to Diagnose Church Health
What does a healthy church look like? How does a healthy church function? Here are eleven questions to ask in diagnosing church health…
Develop Problem-Solvers — Leading Healthy Change Part 8
Today, we break into problem-solving a little deeper—that is, how and why to develop teams of problem-solvers. What is one of the primary functions of a team of leaders in a church ministry? Problem-solving…
"Dead Church" in Six Simple Steps
I recently came across a powerful quote from an 18th century English pastor named Job Orton. Ironically, he wrote to the ministers of his day about doctrinal compromise. The struggles of churches nearly 300 years ago are the struggles of churches today.
When You Don't "Feel Like It…"
Do you ever have moments where your heart sort of just “crashes?” You hit a wall spiritually. Suddenly, you don’t feel like going to church. You don’t feel like reading God’s word. You don’t feel like caring. You don’t feel like exercising. What do you do in that moment?
How to Make This Sunday Awesome!
Do you love your church? Do you help your church to thrive? Have you considered what you could do to make this Sunday even better?
How Jesus Confronts My Leadership Heart
As a spiritual leader, my daily conversation with God is often drawn by His Spirit back to recurring themes. As Jesus asked His disciples “Who do you say that I am?” or “Will you also go away?”—I often sense His rhetorical cross-examination of my leadership.
Leading Healthy Change Part 7
Do you avoid conflict? Do you relish it? We are going to examine how effective leaders solve problems! Let me begin with some questions…
Wanna Get a Cake?
A few years ago, my son, Larry, and I were on a preaching trip in Maine. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a grocery store—just a dad and son roving for snacks. This could be dangerous…
Why You Can Be Thankful for Criticism
Do you ever face criticism? The title of this post seems so paradoxical! Should we really be thankful for criticism?