Four Theological Viruses (I am concerned)

There are four theological viruses floating around these days that concern me. My concerns are three-fold: 1) They have wide appeal2) I can see why they have wide appeal. 3) They will serve us all poorly in the long run. The first virus is the idea that God exists for us. God’s function is to

Sixty Years in the Learning

In early April, I turned sixty.  Sixty!  Despite the depressing sound of it, sixty has been better than I expected.  I am surrounded by love and by family.  God has blessed my ministry beyond anything I could have ever imagined.  I can still do most of what I could do when I was younger and

Want to Get Ahead in Life?

Want to get ahead in life? Work hard. Have a great attitude. Be a team player. Watch your language. Refuse drama. Show some respect. Be approachable. Stay clean and sober. Have good manners. Be polite. Encourage others. Think before you speak. Dress professionally. Forgive others. Think before you post. Be thankful. Admit when you are

To the Journey! (What I Have Learned)

As of June 30, I wrapped up thirty-five years of vocational ministry. It all started in 1986 at the Herrin United Methodist Church where I was the Director of Family Life Ministries. Three years later, we left for seminary in Atlanta and I served the St. James Manchester/Chalybeate Springs Charge. After seminary, we shared our

Eight Steps to Owning Monday (by noon)

Eight Steps to Owning Monday (by noon) Many people dread Mondays.  I don’t. I try to own Mondays and I try to do it by noon. A good Monday is like a birdie on hole number one; it does not guarantee a great round (or week) but it is a fantastic start that can’t be

Navigating the Rapids (Never Quite Like This)

Some years ago when my kids were at home, we decided to go white water rafting on the Big Pigeon River in North Carolina.  In our orientation, the guide spoke of the dangers that lay ahead and how important it was to do what he said.  He mentioned three sets of rapids in particular that

22 and ½ Things I have Learned in 22 and ½ Years (in one place)

I am a bit over half-way through year twenty-three as the Sr. Pastor of Christ Church.   On paper, the story of Christ Church’s growth from 200 to over 2,400 seems like a modern miracle but my mind today is on the people who represent those numbers.  Especially those who have been on this journey

Let Jesus Take Your Trash Out

Text: Psalm 123 Some years back I was reading a business journal that was exploring lucrative fields for the future.  Most of it was tech and medically related but not all of it.  One particular line stuck with me, “There will be profitable future markets for people who can make other people’s trash go away.”

The Unanticipated Upside of Capital Campaigns

Let me begin my stating my purpose.  I am not being compensated by a capital campaign company, nor do I “moonlight” for one.  I will make no money off of this article (though I am open to it).  Let’s face it; no one makes any money writing anymore. I have been a Sr. Pastor in

A Baker’s Dozen (Quick Hitter) Leadership Lessons

  I was appointed to a congregation of just over 200 in 1997.  We averaged almost 2,400 in 2017.  Here is what I have learned about leadership in these twenty-one years in one place: Thirteen (Quick Hitter) Lessons in Leadership State Your Mission: We exist to connect people to Jesus Christ.  It is our language for everything.