“Prominence does not equal significance in the Kingdom of God.” I am not sure who said that first, but whenever I hear it my…
Tag: Vocation
Why Did the Women Disciple the Men?
Back when it was “a different time” – in this case, just 1992 – the pastor warmed up our mens’ Bible study with, “Why…
Phoebe Palmer and the Day of Days
A while back, a well-known pastor made remarks about a female pastor that were distasteful and offensive. While respecting the pastor's different viewpoint knowing…
How Church Planting Relies on the Power of Prayer
After my wife and I planted and established a Wesleyan congregation in the Indianapolis area, we shifted gears toward a different mode of reaching…
Prayer & Fasting: When Flawed Humans Follow Jesus
The apostle Peter is one of my favorite people in the Bible. He reminds me of me. Following Jesus is not always easy for…
Leading Generously: Setting Up a Team for Success
One of the most illuminating things I ever heard about leading generously involved Johnny Carson. For most of my childhood he was host of…
The Cost of Preaching Pastorally & Prophetically
If we are guided by Scripture, the content of our preaching will always have aspects of the pastoral and the prophetic.
Doubts & the Mission of Jesus
Jesus saw them. He sent them. They were still part of his team, his flock, his people. Their doubts did not exclude them from the mission.
Preaching in Times of Upheaval
Knowing that your preaching is limited in possible impact, don’t see proclamation as your primary witness.
Visits through the Distance: Pastoral Presence
Before this pandemic, there were pastors who felt the call to preach but not the call to reach. Visits to members can feel intimidating.