Over the next weeks/months I'm going to be answering a lot of questions I've been asked or that or that have been implied regarding our decision to conclude our church planting effort. This has potential to be a huge learning experience for all of us (particularly church planters). Why do this? The truth is that … Continue reading So why did you guys pull the plug on the church plant
Church planting
Some Walls Down Waddup
Hey guys! This is the toughest "waddup" I've ever written. Several years ago God began to stir a desire for something new in my heart. After exploring it through prayer, long conversations with my bride, consultation with mentors and friends, and deep thought, I concluded that God was calling us to start a church. We … Continue reading Some Walls Down Waddup
Confidence and humility
Reading from Tim Keller's book Reason for God I came across these words that quite adequately describe my experience (all bolding is my own). When my own personal grasp of the gospel was very weak, my self-view swung wildly between two poles. When I was performing up to my standards - in academic work, professional … Continue reading Confidence and humility
Take it all away
I used to say, "Sometimes God will leave you with nothing so that you have to trust Him for everything." I would say that and then go back to my world of "everything" (job security, nice income, prestigious position, and on and on and on). In other words, I was teaching something that I believed … Continue reading Take it all away
Money isn’t everything
John Wesley had just taken up a "large sum of money" for the Indian schools in America. After collecting the offering he reflected in his journal: "A large sum of money is now collected; but will money convert Heathens? Find preachers of David Brainerd's spirit, and nothing can stand before them; but without this, what … Continue reading Money isn’t everything
Starting something new…
There's a high value on transparency these days... or so we say. Often though, transparency is one of two extremes: 1) I suck and here's a list of things I suck at..." or 2) I'm a roaring success and here's a list of my wins." In my mind, transparency is genuine when we can talk … Continue reading Starting something new…
Honest confessions of a church planter
Today I am a bit overwhelmed for multiple reasons. Today I want to rest in green pastures beside peaceful streams... but the ground is covered with ice and the grass is brown. A metaphor? Yes, but it is highly indicative of current reality. Today I look back at the days when I was senior pastor … Continue reading Honest confessions of a church planter
I need to be creative
Right now I'm reading one of the most exciting, engaging books I've read in a long time - A Whack on the Side of the Head by Roger von Oech. He brilliantly makes creativity exciting and doable! I can hardly put this book down! By nature I am not very creative. Normally, I want to … Continue reading I need to be creative
How to make a friend
Yesterday I grabbed a cup of Starbucks and saw this great quote: I used to feel so alone in the city. All those gazillions of people and then me, on the outside. Because how do you meet a new person? I was very stumped by this for many years. And then I realized, you just … Continue reading How to make a friend
My friend Jeff Murphy
I am so proud of my friend Jeff Murphy. Jeff and I went through the churchplanters.com church-planting residency at Mountain Lake Church together. This past Sunday he and his team started My Church. The defining characteristics of My Church are "Live Big, Love Big, and Give Big." No one models these values better than Jeff … Continue reading My friend Jeff Murphy
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