Part I- When the Vision Is Too Big- Fantasy, Burnout, and the Illusion of Faith
Many pastors live on one of two extremes: they're either stuck managing reality or chasing fantasy. One leads to burnout from busyness, the other leads to burnout from disappointment. What if vision wasn’t about dreaming bigger or shrinking to fit—but about aligning with God’s voice, timing, and provision? In this three-part series, we’ll explore what happens when vision is too big, not big enough, and just right.
Three or More
The king had a simple instruction from the prophet. He was simply to strike the ground with arrows. The king followed the instruction and struck the ground with the arrows but stopped after three strikes. This angered the prophet and limited the king’s blessing. It is a strange story, and it has direct application to your life this week.
Becoming a Better Leader
Leadership is a developable skill. It is not static and if left ignored it will erode away. It will atrophy. Good leaders are able to see the big picture, model desired behaviors, and challenge others to be the best version of themselves. Great leaders understand that they can continue to improve these skill sets.
Not Every Ball Is Equal: How Embracing Priorities Can Set You Free
Whether it’s a missed text, a late response, or an overlooked task, there’s something in me that recoils when I know I’ve let someone down. I’m wired as an achiever—I want to do the job well, show up fully, honor people, and keep all the plates spinning. I take commitments seriously, and I don’t like giving anything less than my best.
All about the Number
It is all about the number, but everyone’s number is different. The annual time trials had arrived, and every swimmer was being judged by the number on the clock when they touched the wall at the end of the race. Some got to the wall with smooth beautiful form while others appeared to struggle a great deal. But so long as every swimmer swam legally, the “how” and the aesthetic appeal (or lack thereof) were of no consequence.
Dear Pastor, You Don’t Want to Be Famous
In a world that places so much value on likes, followers, and viral moments, choosing a quiet life might seem countercultural. But for a Pastor, the decision should be simple: you don’t want to be famous. And you don’t need to be famous to be effective. Your calling is not about growing your platform; it’s about furthering the Great Commission.
Betrayed
The betrayal was worse than the execution. It had to have been, because it came from the hand and heart of one he deeply loved.
You know the story. Judas—now known as Judas Iscariot because of this very story—betrays Jesus in the leadup to the crucifixion of Jesus. It was a betrayal Jesus predicted at the last supper (Matt. 26:21) and one foreshadowed by David generations in advance (Ps. 41:9).
"Twas the Night Before the SBC Convention…”
Many of our clients are descending upon Dallas, Texas this week for the Southern Baptist Convention. It’s currently underway at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas where about 20,000 of Chick-fil-A’s most ardent supporters will congregate. This four-day conference is expected to be just as lively as it was in previous years, and though we could not make it this week, one of our Associates had a little fun over the weekend and asked an Ai engine to compose a satirical piece in honor of this annual event.
Hearing God
Life is an adventure. It is an extremely difficult adventure without a guide. Hearing God in the moments of decision, both large and small, is vital to experiencing the depth of God’s peace in your life.
Habemus Papam
We have a pope! Well, maybe not we. I am admittedly not Catholic. Having spent the majority of my ministry journey in the Southern Baptist realm I did not have the seat of Peter in leadership structure. However, there were plenty of individuals that wanted, and tried, to be a sort of Baptist pope. But I digress. For the first time ever there is United States born pope.
The Hidden Powder Keg of Insecurity
Simmering under the service of many people is a steadily building pressure of insecurity. Every person deals with a level of uncertainty, or self-doubt. Those are pretty normal parts of life. Will this new recipe taste good? Will my meeting with this potential new client turn into a sale? Insecurity goes well beyond these sorts
Convincing the Skeptical of the Impossible
“I have seen the Lord.”
The powerful exclamation is made even more impactful by its directness and simplicity, and it was uttered by Mary Magdalene in John 20:18 after Jesus rose from the dead.
Three Rules for Life
We are limited people. An individual person simply cannot accomplish everything there is to do and certainly is not able to survive where everything is urgent, or important. It is a reality of the world in which we live. We all have limitations.
Every Believer a Minister: Part 3 - A Church of Active Ministers
In the first two parts of this series, we discussed the biblical reality that all believers are called to ministry, and that church leaders are tasked with equipping the saints for that work. But what does it look like when the church begins to operate as a collective of active ministers? What happens when the priesthood of all believers is fully embraced and lived out?
Not a Dance
“Patience is not naturally present in me, and so when it shows up, I know it is Christ living in me.” What a joy it was to hear from Annie F. Downs at church this week, and when she uttered the phrase above, it both resonated with and convicted me.
Leading Through Uncertainty
The past several years have been anything but stable. The entrance of COVID into our vocabulary, the political swings, financial pressures, and so much more have seemingly redefined life as we know it. Life appears to be marked by a feeling of anxiety, or of a general sense of unsettlement.
When Marriage Isn’t Fun
Happily ever after, right? Marriage was supposed to be all rainbows, puppies, and roses. The two of you are going to wake up every morning at the same time, with great smelling breath and stare googly-eyed at each other. But marriage will go through seasons. Marriage is a man and woman who are broken in sin covenanting together to work through all the seasons together.
Decoding Discipleship Myths: Grow on My Own
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.
Every Believer a Minister: Part 2 - Equipping the Saints for Ministry
In the first part of this series, we explored the biblical truth that all believers are called to the priesthood of ministry. But knowing that everyone is a minister is only part of the equation. The next crucial step is equipping the saints for the work of ministry.
A New Pope
A new Pope has been selected, and for the first time in history it is an American. Robert Prevost, originally from Chicago, Illinois, is now Pope Leo XIV, after a conclave of cardinals selected him to succeed Pope Francis as the head of the Catholic Church. Pope Leo’s first address was delivered from historic St. Peter’s Basilica.