Jesus himself has given gifts to his people to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers, to train and build up the church for acts of service. Jesus gave all of these gifts through the Holy Spirit so that the church would reach unity in the faith and become mature in the fullness of Jesus (Eph 4). The problem is that the church has mostly adopted and been comfortable with three out of five of these gifts. But in order to revive our fellowship and revive our communities, we must embrace them all.
Continue reading “Eagerly Desire Spiritual Gifts”It’s Time
The new year has begun. Get used to writing 2018 on your checks (if you still use those) or anyplace that requires today’s date. For many of us, we are pissed at 2017. 2017 didn’t treat us well and may have only seemed to be full of disappointment, hurt, and loss. But 2018 feels like a new start, with new possibilities and second chances. It’s time to make room for new… again. Continue reading “It’s Time”
TGIF Humility
I’ve got some great links to share this week! You may have heard it said that “humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” Humility today would make anyone’s top ten list of positive character traits. Humility is a virtue and it is listed high on theoretical importance, yet it is eroded by our western culture’s pull towards power and status. We pursue happiness and fulfillment through selfish ambition. True ambition is the pursuit of loving God and everybody more. Continue reading “TGIF Humility”
The Witness of Preaching
In Thomas G. Long’s, The Witness of Preaching he describes three images of preachers and preaching to answer the question, “What does it mean to preach?” A preacher is a herald, a pastor, and a storyteller/poet. Continue reading “The Witness of Preaching”
A Thousand Sermons: Why I Preach
When I was let go from my first vocational ministry the one thing I knew I wanted to continue to do was preach. I had no idea where God would take me, but it was clear in my mind what I was to do when I got there. The urge to preach was like my second calling. The first being my original calling to ministry while still in college. God wouldn’t leave me alone about it.
TGIF Links
Thank God it’s Friday! And Happy Christmas Eve Eve!
Here are some interesting links that I wanted to share with you. Have an awesome Christmas and invite someone to church! Continue reading “TGIF Links”
TGIF Links
Thank God it’s Friday!
Here are some blogs, articles and podcasts that I just wanted to share with you. Have an awesome weekend and be the church!
Leaders are learners! Continue reading “TGIF Links”
Finding Your True Voice
As a young Lead Minister I discovered that finding my voice in my church context was a work in progress. How do I remain true to who I am and be what the church needs me to be? Now that I serve as Senior Minister in a different church, how do I find my pastoral voice in this community?
In this week’s blog I summarize chapter two of William B. Kincaid’s book “Finding Voice: How Theological Field Education Shapes Pastoral Identity.” It encapsulates some of the steps I am taking to not only find my pastoral voice but also the church’s communal voice.
Habits – Part 3: Attitude of Gratitude
Our organization has chosen to adopt four habits that will help us to honor Jesus and participate in His mission here on earth.
These four habits are:
- People First
- Make it Better
- Attitude of Gratitude
- Engage those far from God
Today we will look at the third organizational habit – Attitude of Gratitude.