Two weeks ago, Sherri and I shared with some of our favorite people in the world (Church180), that we are preparing to transition out of our role as a civilian pastor and move into a new role... active Army Chaplain (I wrote about it here). As we prepare to do this, there are a lot … Continue reading Entry #1: Transitioning
life as a pastor
Guiding principles for students of Scripture
Today, I am working on material for a teaching series that I am going to give at Church180. We are going to be studying a letter that St. Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossae around 60 A.D. As I am working on this material, I keep thinking about basic principles that guide my approach … Continue reading Guiding principles for students of Scripture
Stop worrying about your clothes
Right now I'm really busy. This weekend I will officiate at a wedding, preach a sermon, and then carry out my pastoral duties at a funeral... the funeral of a friend. This busy weekend comes right in the middle of a teaching series I am doing at church called, "Making Space." As I am preparing to … Continue reading Stop worrying about your clothes
Why pastors don’t always preach
This past weekend I didn't preach at the church I love! I LOVE to preach, but I don't always preach. Sometimes people wonder why preachers don't preach every Sunday. They may even wonder what they do when they're not preaching. Those are fair questions. Here are the reasons I don't preach every Sunday: Family Vacation. … Continue reading Why pastors don’t always preach
Ten things I love about Church180
I am a deeply fulfilled man. I am a pastor and a personal trainer (in addition to my other roles of man, husband, father). I absolutely love what I get to do every day. I often tell people that "I love our church!" Today I thought it would be cool to list out some reasons … Continue reading Ten things I love about Church180
Be someone (#plantwhatyouwanttopick)
Here is a sampling of the conversations I had last week with people who are experiencing tough times... A man who survived multiple affairs and is working to put his marriage back together. A lady who is going to die any day now. A dad whose young son has cancer. A man whose wife wants to leave … Continue reading Be someone (#plantwhatyouwanttopick)
Death and marriage
Sunday night Sherri and I sat with a couple and planned out their wedding. They were excited... and a little nervous. There was laughter and hope as we discussed the beginning of "happily ever after." Monday morning Sherri and I sat with a mom and her daughter and planned out the mom's funeral. There were some tears; … Continue reading Death and marriage
We might not be communicating
For the last several years I have made an effort to make friends who don't look/believe/act like I do. From racial to sexual to theological differences... I have made a lot of great friends. I've spent a lot of time drinking coffee, eating sushi, and lifting weights with my friends. I've listened... and from time … Continue reading We might not be communicating
Thoughts on another pastor’s fall
Yesterday I learned that David Yonggi Cho is going to prison. Here's the scoop: David Yonggi Cho, the 78-year-old leader of the world’s largest Pentecostal mega church, was recently convicted of embezzling $12 million and sentenced to serve three years in prison. (You can read the entire story here). The following are my unfiltered soul … Continue reading Thoughts on another pastor’s fall
How do preachers come up with sermons?
Well, I can't answer this question for everyone, but I can tell you how I figure out what I'm going to teach (aka preach) at Church180. I find it helpful to plan what I'm going to teach 9-12 months ahead of time. This gives me time to pray, study, think, and apply whatever it is … Continue reading How do preachers come up with sermons?
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