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

More and more these days, churches are being involved in legal actions. Denominations are suing local congregations over ownership of the church property. Former staff members are suing churches, challenging what they feel was an unlawful termination. Every week it seems we’re reading about a sexual abuse case that has caused a family to bring a case against the church. 

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.” 

The Senate recently unanimously passed two resolutions that echo Christian values of justice, compassion, and the importance of remembering God’s work in history.

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.

AI is here, and while it offers helpful tools for organization and summarization, it should never replace the heart and authenticity God has given pastors in their sermon preparation. Use AI wisely to enhance your work, but remember, it cannot love or lead your people the way God designed you to.

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.

The First Amendment and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protect your right to express faith-based greetings like "Merry Christmas" and accommodate religious practices at work, ensuring the joy of the season can be shared confidently and respectfully.

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.

Balancing pastoral duties and family life can be challenging, as both demand time and attention. To keep your family a priority, establish boundaries like designating an untouchable family night, continuing to date your spouse, and being fully present during family moments. Engage with your children when they want to talk, even at unexpected times, and communicate clearly with both your family and church leadership. Thoughtful planning and intentional choices can help you thrive in both your pastoral role and family life.

Humility is a critical and often overlooked quality in leadership, both in secular and faith-based contexts. True leaders know their limitations, are willing to admit when they are wrong, and put others’ interests above their own. Developing humility is essential for leading effectively and fostering growth in both personal and organizational success.

The role of a pastor often entails balancing the demands of message preparation with the need for personal spiritual growth. To prevent your spiritual life from stagnating, it is essential to cultivate your own practices and avoid comparing your journey to that of others; focus instead on methods that resonate with you and foster a genuine relationship with Christ.

John's inquiry, rooted in doubt despite his connection to Jesus, reveals the complexities of faith even among family. Jesus' response, filled with imagery and examples, encourages deeper contemplation rather than a simple affirmation, reflecting His teaching approach that guides listeners to uncover truth independently.

My story is increasingly common in the world today, yet often remains unspoken. Statistics indicate that someone you know closely may be grappling with depression, and the pressure to maintain a facade of being "okay" can lead to isolation for those who struggle.

Depression and anxiety are not a reflection of one's faith; they are genuine experiences rooted in the brokenness of

The biblical concept of Sabbath, introduced in Genesis, highlights the importance of rest as part of God’s design for humanity. Just as God rested after creation, we too are called to practice intentional rest, trusting in Him rather than striving on our own, as a vital part of spiritual and physical well-being.

The feelings of depression took more control and it wasn’t that people didn’t care, but I grew to believe that I wasn’t worthy of any of it. I believed their feelings weren’t real.