It is often innocent enough as an assumption, but that is exactly what it is, an assumption. The senior pastor assumes that all the people of the church just need the sermon for spiritual growth. So groups are given discussion guides, or a series of questions, to come together in their small groups to talk about the sermon from that Sunday morning. Of course, the expectation is that every group member has seen/heard the sermon to some capacity, which is rare.

We have stopped living in a quiet world. Now, that doesn’t have to mean sound in our lives. Take stock for 10 minutes of how many notifications come across your phone. How many emails? How many messages? How many news updates? How many dings, pings, and vibrations happen in your life in any given amount of time. Our world has become loud.

Far too many myths exist within the church about what it means to grow spiritually and how a church facilitates that growth. The goal of these articles is to identify those myths and give thought to how to possibly overcome those myths within your organization.

Married couples regularly underestimate the value of not just good, but great, communication in their marriage relationship. Communication underscores any truly successful marriage

After 27 years of marriage, I’ve learned that we aren’t the same people we were when we first met. Marriage is a journey of growth, intimacy, and mutual love, not about completion, but about becoming better partners as we walk through life together.

Okay, if your brain did not immediately follow reading the title of this article with, “Baby don’t hurt me” we might not be able to be friends. Extra points if you continued it with, “ don’t hurt me, no more.” 

From the lowest position on the org chart to the highest. Every person is leading someone. It is not a question of whether or not you can lead. You are. So, you might as well choose to lead well.

We live in a world of outsourcing. When we call customer service, check our card balances and even make changes to our deductions for payroll we are likely partaking in outsourcing. Now, there are a lot of reasons that organizations utilize outsourcing for their day to day operation.

Fatherhood is one of the most rewarding yet challenging callings, requiring love, discipline, and the humility to own mistakes. Your kids don’t need perfection; they need your presence, faith, and intentional moments of love and joy. By breaking unhealthy cycles and leaning into the role of dad, you can create a legacy of unconditional love and lasting memories.

Too many people live with the idea of a ‘Gotcha God’—a harsh judge waiting to punish every mistake—but the truth is, God offers grace, love, and forgiveness through Jesus. He doesn’t want you living in fear; He wants you to know Him fully as the God of unconditional love.

Communication is the cornerstone of a thriving marriage, yet many couples enter marriage without the tools to truly connect. By intentionally practicing four types of communication—small talk, organizational meetings, challenging conversations, and intimate discussions—couples can build a stronger, more fulfilling relationship over time.

Second chair leaders, such as student pastors and ministry directors, play vital roles in the church's mission, bringing their unique callings, leadership, and strengths to the table. They desire trust, recognition, and mutual loyalty from senior pastors to thrive in their roles. By empowering and valuing their contributions, churches can grow and succeed in ways that surpass expectations.

While the wedding day may be picture-perfect, a lasting marriage takes continuous, intentional effort. By investing in quality time, openly communicating, and supporting each other emotionally, couples can build a strong foundation and embrace the beautiful, ongoing journey of marriage as a true gift from God.

The holiday season can be a particularly challenging time when navigating the loss of a loved one. As Brian Hatcher shares, grief is a natural and profound part of the healing process, and it’s okay to let ourselves mourn deeply, just as Jesus did when He wept for His friend Lazarus. During this season, it’s essential to let the tears flow, share memories, and lean on loved ones rather than isolating ourselves. Embracing a “new normal” can help bring healing. By honoring past memories and creating new ones, we can find ways to experience both grief and the quiet joy of being with family and friends amidst the pain.

The church is most alive when every member uses their unique gifts to contribute to its mission, as Paul emphasized to the church in Ephesus. Recognizing our individual limits, entrusting ministry to faithful people, giving them space to lead, and following up for growth all contribute to a thriving church body. When ministry is shared, the church’s impact is multiplied, beautifully reflecting God’s design for His people to carry out His mission together.

When disappointment strikes, it’s easy to let doubt and discouragement cloud our faith. However, by shifting our perspective and trusting God’s plan, we can transform these moments into opportunities for growth, knowing that He uses even the hard times to shape and guide us.

Grieving is essential to spiritual health, yet often overlooked, especially for pastors. Unresolved grief can lead to emotional, physical, and spiritual harm, impacting every aspect of life. By expressing grief healthily—through trusted relationships, recognizing a new normal, and seeking professional help when needed—pastors can navigate their sorrow and grow deeper in their spiritual journey.

As fall approaches and Halloween nears, many churches and believers wrestle with how to respond. Whether rejecting, countering, accepting, or engaging with the holiday, there are biblical perspectives to support each approach. Halloween offers a unique opportunity for outreach, with neighbors coming directly to your doorstep—a chance to connect and potentially create pathways back to the church.

Spiritual growth often starts with behavior, but God calls us to something deeper—wholeness in Christ. Instead of living in fear, trying to earn God's approval, we are meant to trust His redemptive work, recognizing that we are complete in Him and growing spiritually through His transformation of our hearts.