Why Your Community is More Diverse… or Soon Will Be

October 19, 2011

When you get to know a person more, you learn how to love them better. The same principle applies to communities. Communities are made of individuals, and knowing your local context helps you love the people in them more. One critical element of understanding your community is tracking demographic changes. Perhaps one of the most important changes occurring in North America is the growing diversity of many local communities. Brookings recently released a fascinating study on the changing landscape Read more [...]

Leading a Transition Involves the Painful Process of Watching Concrete Dry

September 2, 2011

Every church must transition. Every church should always be in some form of a transition. If the only constant is change, then leaders must guide churches through a transition in areas where change is occurring. This change can be grand—a new site, a campus relocation, or a new mission endeavor. This change can be smaller—a new curriculum in the children’s department, a new budget process, or a new security procedure. All change, however, involves a transitioning phase. Leading in this transition Read more [...]

Leadership is a Gift

August 15, 2011

Too often leaders assume the positional authority of a boss. Bosses are needed. At times we need people in charge to tell us what to do. The person at the office assigned the fire marshal duty when alarms blare needs to be able to bark orders. They are trained. They know what to do. Too many in charge creates chaos, which is not helpful when fires blaze. But there is a difference between a boss and a leader. Bosses claim authority with their position, and sometimes necessarily. But leaders are given Read more [...]

The Future of the Cooperative Program

July 29, 2011

Ed Stetzer recently interviewed Ronnie Floyd, Tanner Turley, and me about the Cooperative Program. This program is the funding mechanism for missions in the Southern Baptist Convention, the denomination to which I belong. I realize many of my readers may not be in my denomination, but this way of funding missions is important for God's kingdom. Almost $15B has been raised for missions since the beginning of this program in 1925, and over $500M has been raised for missions in each of the last few Read more [...]

How the Church Should Respond to the Uneven Aging of America

June 29, 2011

America does not age evenly. Brookings recently released a new report giving a state-by-state breakdown of the fastest growing “younger” and “older” areas of the country. Here’s a summary of a few of their findings: Between 2000 and 2010, the population over 45 grew 18 times as fast as the population under 45. Seniors gravitated towards the Sun Belt states in the past, but many Boomers are “aging in place” today, resulting in places like Raleigh, NC and Madison, WI having fast-growing Read more [...]

Don’t Show Them What You’re Made Of

May 31, 2011

Being a young(er) pastor at age 31, I’ve often heard from people who encourage me to “let no one despise your youth.” These supporters are correct, and I’m thankful for their vocal praise. As a pastor and leader, however, I often leave it there. I have thought to myself, “They’re right. I’m not going to let anyone hold me back. I’ll show them what I’m made of!” It’s not the right reaction. It’s not leadership to prove someone wrong in order to prop up a personal agenda. As Read more [...]

Leading like a Blind Beggar

April 4, 2011

Mark presents an unusual juxtaposition in his gospel. At the end of chapter 10, two scenes emerge. In one, James and John ask Jesus for a place with him in glory. In the other, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus asks for a moment of Jesus’ time. James, John, and Bartimaeus are all adamant concerning their requests of Jesus. They all recognize the authority of Jesus. They all know he has something to offer. But the sons of Zebedee and Bartimaeus are worlds apart. James and John are caught in the Read more [...]

Leadership Baggage

March 30, 2011

God created leadership for the church. Jesus is the chief Shepherd, and he sets aside other shepherds to lead the church by serving under him. Members of the church body are to “obey” and “submit” to those who “keep watch” over their spiritual development. These leaders, however, are not to abuse their authority but rather lead by example. This relationship between leaders and followers in the church is clothed in humility through God’s gift of grace. Within the context of the local Read more [...]

What Type of Church Member are You?

February 18, 2011

I might get in a little trouble for this blog, but as a pastor I must lead with levity. If I did not poke a little fun (and receive it), then I would go into an intense-seriousness-coma. My wife hates my extended gravitas. So at the risk of being flippant, allow me to label some different types of church members. Understandably, every church is unique, as is every member, but there are some commonalities I’ve noticed. Remember, pastors, you must lead and shepherd all types—that’s what God Read more [...]

Sometimes It is Difficult to Know How to Pray

February 11, 2011

Sometimes it is difficult to know how to pray. The apostle Paul struggled with how to pray while sitting in jail waiting on his potential execution. Would God spare him for fruitful ministry? Would God bless him with eternal worship? In Philippians 1 he writes, “I don’t know which one I should choose.” On Thursday February 3rd my family received difficult news. My brother’s unborn son had a rare disorder which created a dangerous situation for his wife and child. Jess and Rachel were devastated. Read more [...]