Cultivating trust
Some seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil . . . and when the sun rose, it..
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The secret to awesome children’s ministry
Of all of the mythical ways to grow a church (Start a contemporary worship service! Call a pastor with a young family!..
Six steps on the long journey: Building fruitful pastoral relationships
Yesterday I shared six “can’t miss” tips for seminary graduates looking to burn very quickly through their first calls. You can read..
6 great tips to guarantee a short tenure in your first call
As 2014 seminary graduates enter their first months of professional ministry, I offer these “can’t miss” tips to minimize the length of..
What our job is (and what it isn’t)
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God..
The ten best parts
Carol Howard Merritt wrote a beautiful piece a few weeks ago about the great things about being a pastor. It got me..
The flip side—5 things I wish I’d learned in seminary
Lest anyone should think me ungrateful, yesterday I wrote a list of things I was glad to learn in seminary. You can..
A valentine to my seminary—5 things I’m grateful to have learned
Pastors and church members are quick to enumerate the ways that seminaries fall short in preparing candidates for ministry. Before I participate..
American idols—The top 10 things that we love more than God
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21 Is it time to think about New Year’s resolutions? As we contemplate how..
6 keys to hard conversations
(Click here for part one of this two-part post.) Hard conversations are unavoidable, even for the sweetest, most kind-hearted church leaders. ..
Small talk and big talk
“Small talk” is a vital part of every congregation’s life. We greet one another after worship, commenting on sports and gardens and..
Just What We Need—More Advice
Does anyone ever tire of giving advice to new parents? Be sure to swaddle the baby whenever you lay her..
800 left turns
Just because I don’t understand something doesn’t mean it’s worthless. NASCAR taught me that. For years I was proudly, arrogantly ignorant about..