Tips and Templates for Performing a Wedding
One of the joys in my pastoral ministry has been to prepare people for marriage and then stand at the end of the isle with them as they make their vow for a life of love. Weddings are special. Each one is full of life-long memorable moments. Every wedding I have done has been as unique as the couple that...
The Only Way to Survive Change: Perspective
“Life has a way of stepping on its own toes," one of my professors said in college and I had no idea how right he was. “Life has a way of getting in the way of life.” This has proven true the longer I've lived. Change is Inevitable, Perspective is Everything I consider myself a change junkie. I am the kind of...
How Do I Resolve Conflict Biblically?
Not all passages in the Bible are easy to apply to our life, especially when we've been hurt. Here is one that has hit me right between the eyes many times before: Proverbs 10:12 says, “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all wrongs” (NIV). When we've been hurt, it can be easy to harbor bitterness or fuel hate. But this...
Learning to Trust God to Keep His Word
There is a storm that envelops all storms No matter the crisis we find ourselves in, God has His eyes on us. He has wrath toward us because of our own disobedience and sin. Yet, he is also compassionate and our hope. He will uphold His grace and mercy as He upholds his justice and wrath. I've been studying what it...
4 Main Types of Life Trials
"Somehow this has become routine. The reporting is routine. My response here at this podium ends up being routine, the conversation in the aftermath of it ... We have become numb to this." President Obama said this statement Thursday night after the shooting in Oregon. Once again lives of innocent students were taken from us—all of which where young...
Duke Student Refuses to Read Graphic Memoir by LGBTQ Author
Freshman year can be awkward enough, but Brian Grasso wasn't afraid of awkward. The summer reading list came out for Duke students months ago. It was an optional reading list designed to create a common experience between the over 1,750 incoming freshmen. "Fun Home" was on the list. Amazon explains this book as a "groundbreaking, bestselling graphic memoir." The author tells...
Is Donald Trump a Christian?
The Bible never said that we should keep our faith "personal" and to yourself. Donald Trump is doing just that, I wish he would stop. Trump claims to be a Christian and part of the Presbyterian Church. He has said that he is "very proud" of his faith. He also stated, "Believe me, if I run and I win, I...
Jake Weidmann: Master Penman and Master Brother
"Dude, is this your cousin?!" Over the last few weeks, people have been asking me if I know or am related to Jake Weidmann. Yes, I do know Him. Yes, I am related to Him. he is not just anyone to me, he is my brother. Jake Weidmann is not your average artist. He is uniquely gifted and we've known it...
Unraveling the Confusion Around Church Ministry
Many people today claim to be Christians but are not on mission for God. They attend church as if it is a social activity. Sadly, the church has moved into entertaining Christians, rather than mobilizing Christ followers to fulfill God’s designed purpose for their lives. This has happened for several reasons: We have a lost view of the biblical purpose of ministry. We...
3 Questions To Ask at Every Meeting
Meetings have become a regular part of my life. I spend most of my day in meetings with other people. I spend a lot of time meeting with my staff or elders. I also meet with people in the church who have (1) concerns that they would like to share, (2) hopes that they would like to express, or (3)...
Focus: The Secret Weapon of Every Leader
I used to want to be skilled at everything. That was maddening. As time as passed and I've matured, I realize that being the jack-of-all-trades is not that glamorous. It is better to be masterful at a few things than proficient at everything. As a leader, it is important for me to "do only what only I can do"—Andy Stanley said...
A Leader’s Powerful Role of Inquisition
Questions are more than just a way to make conversation. As I start my new role as the Senior Pastor of Grace Chapel, I have been asking a lot of questions. From the very first day, I was asking questions like "where's the bathroom?" or "where do we keep the staples?" But as a leader I also have asked deeper questions,...