I was Going to Commit Suicide, but…
An invitation to a friend may save a life. I received a letter some time ago that I have to share with you. You see, when I received this letter, I was tired and discouraged. We’d been out of room at...
View ArticleChrist-less Christianity
Does our preaching and teaching cause people to focus more on themselves than on Jesus? I have a great concern for the Bride of Christ, Jesus’ Beloved Church. My concern is not for brick and mortar,...
View ArticleDo We Have Discipleship Wrong?
Simply gathering Biblical facts won’t change the world. In the American educational system, from first grade all the way up through high school, we’re taught to memorize INFORMATION, and then take a...
View ArticlePastor, Five Signs We're in Danger
Simple steps we can take to guard our hearts. I’ve learned a great spiritual lesson from the series, “Lord of the Rings,” that I pray will guide and protect me, my wife and children, and the people I...
View ArticleInstead of Building Your Platform, Build Your Character
Three Practices to Grow as a Leader. If you’re a pastor or leader, words like “platform” and “influence” are important. But if we aren’t careful, in our desire to build our platform and influence, the...
View ArticleWhat the Church Should Look Like
That's what I'd like to help us think about in this blog. Welcome to “Just Marinating”! The concept of this name comes from John 15:5, “abide in Christ.” In this context, to marinate means to think...
View ArticleSeeing the Unseen
What picture of the future has God tattooed on your heart? As a leader, what picture of the future has God tattooed on your heart concerning the organization you lead? This soul-tattoo is called...
View ArticleWhen You Feel Sidelined by God
God knows the best position for you to play in life. Some years ago, when my son Jeremiah was seven, I coached his flag football team. One of his teammates was an adorable little guy named Max. Max is...
View ArticleBreaking Up Is Hard To Do
How do you get over the hurt when people leave your church? A couple of years ago, we were going through an amazing season of growth at Transformation Church. We witnessed awesome baptisms, record...
View ArticleHow to Not Screw Up Your Life
Three strategies to avoid a spiritual implosion. Dear Christian, I’m concerned about you. I’m concerned about me. It seems that just about every month I hear stories of church leaders and other...
View ArticleTattoo Everything You Do with Excellence
Imprint your divine design on whatever you do. Everything we do is a reflection of who we are and what we worship. If God gave us his best in Jesus, shouldn’t we desire to give our best back to him,...
View ArticleStuff First-Century Christians Fought About
What we can learn about multiethnic church planting from the first church dispute. Earlier this year, I posted a large part of the following post on Ed Stetzer’s blog. But I want to share it here as...
View ArticleWhat US Sen. Tim Scott Taught Me About Leadership
Lessons for building a successful team. The success of any organization––a family, local church, business, or government––is rooted in effective leadership. I recently attended the 13th annual...
View ArticleHealthy Leader, Healthy Church
Five reflections on emotionally unhealthy spirituality. In the midst of serving your local church or ministry, it’s easy to focus on the ministry instead of focusing on Jesus’ ministry in and to me....
View ArticlePatience, Persistence, and Progression, Not Perfection
Three ways to overcome pitfalls that stunt our growth. During the midst of a difficult, frustrating time, a young leader that I love and admire requested my help. Everyone that I have the privilege of...
View ArticleGod Is Not Santa Claus
How the consumerist worldview affects the church. God is not Santa Claus. But we seem to forget that sometimes because we have embraced a worldview called consumerism. In this way of seeing the world,...
View ArticleGospel-Centered Evangelism
Three characteristics of high-definition evangelism in a multiethnic world. Hi friends, I just finished the first draft of my forthcoming book, The High-Definition Leader: Building Multiethnic Churches...
View Article#Ferguson and the Cross
Live as an ambassador to a hurting world. In August, Michael Brown, an unarmed, black 18-year-old, was shot and killed by Darren Wilson, a white policeman, in Ferguson, Missouri. Tonight, we learned...
View ArticleAsk for a Towel, Not a Title
Developing servant-leaders in the local church. A little while back, I was in a conversation with a gentleman at our monthly newcomer’s gathering. He was a Christ-follower who had walked with Jesus for...
View ArticleJesus, the Ultimate Team Captain
What the incarnation means for you. What does the word “incarnation” mean and how can it impact your life today? I share about this gospel truth in this short clip from a recent sermon. When Jesus puts...
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