In middle adulthood, I’ve learned God moves a bit like the deer. Small. Right in front of me, but somehow slightly hidden by the environment I am around. If I’m distracted by my own self, or horsing around on my phone, it is easy to not realize God is moving around me.

What does it take to experience God?
I am beginning to think one of the key patterns anyone needs to go through is understanding what it means to take refuge in God.

Churches are like living organisms, they need to grow and adapt to thrive. Just as a tree sheds its leaves in winter to prepare for spring, churches must sometimes let go of old traditions to make room for new ones. In this essay, I'll examine how metalcore music and Greek mythology can provide inspiration for churches seeking to revitalize their mission.

What happens when only 40% of people can find a church home?

Hard-Edged Churches are the modern way many of us think of “church”. But in that model, we actually reduce our ability to reach our communities for Jesus Christ.

Do you feel like everything has changed in the local church? It has, but not as broadly as might think. Let’s talk about how different generations find positive culture in local churches, and how we can create welcoming places for people of all ages.

What parts of scripture and thinking about God occupied my mind in 2023? Here are the top 3.

For over a decade I try to practice the pattern of reading the Bible in 90 days. At least once a year. It is one of the most valuable practices I know of. Here is why it matters to me.

When a church reaches unsustainability, anxious conversations about growth begin. But how do you think and talk about congregational growth with contextual honesty AND healthy goal-setting? Getting a true representative picture of the current reality and mission field isn’t as hard as you think.

Nearly every church has changed its size in the last 3 years. But for those in decline, learning to define their current church size matters more than ever. It gives the congregation goalposts to understand as they attempt to grow into future sustainability.

I grew up in church. I was there easily 5 days a week. I’m a preacher’s kid! I remember thinking about folks who skipped church when I was younger. I don’t know if it was subliminal or if someone actually told me, but I viewed skipping church as a fast track to a stretch in the penitentiary. The folks who skipped church were the true dregs of society, sleeping off what was most certainly a debaucherous night worthy of Hugh Hefner and company.

Is finding a way forward through important questions and decisions a skill that only certain people have? Do I have to be lucky to be happy?

I want to share with you a mental model that can lead you towards a healthier and more honest understanding of the tougher things in life.

People say that preachers often only have one sermon. I used to laugh about the idea, but I have started to realize I have one sermon. And it’s the power of thankfulness. Here are 3 ways we can engage the practice in our life to make it more at peace.

Do you keep a reading kit? I mark up paper books pretty extensively. Here is my grab-and-go kit to make sure I can always dig into a book in the way I like to.

Are we creating worlds of wonder and the beauty of God’s Kingdom or are we just talking at people?

There is a little question that is more important than we realizing for our preaching.

Why do I read two books that probably disagree at the same time? To understand relationships that would never occur and grow if ideas never saw each other.

So how do you read anything complicated? I knew if I want to get through A Secular Age, I’m going to need to have a plan.

The idea of self-selection is far more powerful than assumed automation.

As we head into the new year I want to share some of my journaling questions I’ve been working through. If you want to be more intentional about your spiritual life, journaling is a great start.

When worship seems to be everywhere…it ends up being nowhere.

I had to go on a heck of a hunt for my perfect Bible for 2022. And I found out about a secret Cambridge Wide Margin.