I just realized in my 41st year of life, in my 21st year of intentionally following Jesus, and in my 11th year as a lead pastor of a church that…I am Nicodemus. And I’m not alone. Here’s the familiar story: Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of theContinue reading “Are You a Nicodemus?”
Category Archives: discipline
Work While It Is Day
The Gospel of John records a remarkable event, as Jesus heals a man who had been born blind. In John’s retelling, one of the statements Jesus makes is that “we must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4).Continue reading “Work While It Is Day”
Abused – Addicted – Free
Trudy Makepeace was a mess until she met Jesus, having experienced a painful childhood under the shadow of abuse, only to grow up and spend years as an adult trapped in a destructive cycle of drug abuse, prostitution, homelessness and prison. But the evangelist and outreach worker says that God has now turned her messContinue reading “Abused – Addicted – Free”
My Mother’s Typewriter
As a child, I often woke to the sound of my mother typing. I’d hear a spatter of sound, a pause, a tentative tap or two, some silence, then more taps. With the staccato music of the typewriter coming through the wall as the first light brightened my window, it was as if my motherContinue reading “My Mother’s Typewriter”
2 Questions
If you work on the staff where I preach, you are subjected to several requirements and expectations. They are all written down and given to you during your on-boarding process. Most are what you would expect of any church staff position. For instance, all of your relationships should reflect the love and grace of JesusContinue reading “2 Questions”
Lies That Lead to Lazy
Come, follow closely, and gaze for a moment upon a rare creature in his native habitat. There he is, drooling upon his pillow an hour before lunchtime, creaking over the bedsprings like a door on its hinges. “How long will you lie there? When will you arise from your sleep?” his mother shouts from theContinue reading “Lies That Lead to Lazy”
We Say We Pray for Our Leaders
I attended a local city council meeting for the first time in July. Our city council was considering a controversial decision, and I sat for hours as concerned citizens on both sides of the issue voiced their opinions. During the meeting, some of my fellow citizens raised their voices. Others talked about those they disagreedContinue reading “We Say We Pray for Our Leaders”
The Right Words at the Right Time
My husband and I (Cheryl) sped down the highway to reach our long-time friends as quickly as possible. A few minutes earlier during our Sunday morning worship service, I had received a text asking me to call right away. Hurrying out to the church patio, I made the call and learned that our dear friends’Continue reading “The Right Words at the Right Time”
Men. You Need to Confess.
I don’t like the word accountability. I don’t like the category of accountability. At times, it opens the door for men to be pressured, cornered, and coerced into admitting what they really don’t want to admit. But I would rather speak in terms of transparency because that’s mutual. We share transparency. It’s biblical—when I’m withContinue reading “Men. You Need to Confess.”
A Little Bit Further Along
No church can survive solely upon the labors of its pastors. No church can thrive when the expectation is that all ministry must be formal and must originate from the front of the room. No church can remain healthy when it falls to the elders to give and the members to consume. Rather, the workContinue reading “A Little Bit Further Along”
