Church
Why Every Small Decision Matters For My Integrity
I recently did the grocery shopping for our family. It took an hour longer than expected, but the journey was well worth it. When I finished, the lady behind the register told me I had saved $43.49. She circled the savings on my receipt and I left the store with a smile. The whole drive home I couldn’t stop thinking...
How to write good content daily: 1000 words by 10:00 AM
A few days ago I had a conversation with my writer and editor friend about the pace at which I can write in order to stay productive towards my calling to author material. At one point in the conversation he asked “how many word today do you think you can write?" Little did he know that I'd been contemplating...
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,...
5 Essential Things to Consider When Planning Communion
Communion services are one of the most important services we have the opportunity to lead our churches in on a regular basis. Communion should never be something that becomes so routine that it loses it impact, it should also be something that is done regularly and with great intentionality. When planning a communion service, here are five things to keep...
Gap Management: Making the Most of Every Moment
There is no such thing as a spare moment. Every minute I've been given must account for something, whether I like it or not. Even the "down time" that is incorporated in my life is not "spare" or "wasted" but intentional and celebrated. Recently I was on a call with my assistant (the world's greatest, I am sure if it)....
Why I Stopped Looking at the Analytics
For over a year now I have not known quite what to do with my online ministry. I’ve been blogging since 2006, but it has come with its seasons of high productivity and seasons of, “What in the world should I type next?” It was time for a change. With the help of my good friend, Mike Ruman, I decided to...
What is the Local Church?
And why are the reforming markers of the church (preaching and ordinances) so crucial for understanding what the church is? The church is a group of Christians (those partaking in the New Covenant with God by believing in Jesus Christ) who, together, identify themselves and others as followers of Jesus through regularly gathering in His name, preaching the Gospel, and...
3 Tips to Help You Fulfill Your Dreams
We need you to dream! Many of us have things we'd like to accomplish, but too often we push those dreams aside. We don't dare to do the difficult things. When this happens, we forfeit having great impact on other people's lives. In this video, I share about the importance of dreaming big dreams for God. SO HOW DO YOU PURSUE...
The Blessed Command to Rest
As you know, life is complex – it is full of so many different tasks, relationships and goals we have to be mindful of every single day. Maybe you have had days like me when you finally find your bed and as you lay there you wonder—did I do anything that really mattered today? In the midst of the chaos,...
6 Strategic Initiatives for Discipleship
We have no greater mission as followers of Christ, or as His bride, the Church, than to see people come into a relationship with Christ AND live out their faith by observing all that Jesus has commanded. At Mission Hills, we will live out our cause to call people to greater Disciples of Christ by being intentional not only...
Who I am Drives What I Do (Not The Other Way Around)
When I used to be involved in Gospel magic, I remember a highly acclaimed magician getting up at one of our national conferences and explaining that what he does is not who he is. At first I didn't quite understand what he meant. You're a magician, that's who you are! Are you telling us you are resigning as a magician?! I...
Get Control of Your Time When Others Demand It
You want to make today great... at least better than yesterday. But you know that it will probably full of the same old chaos. You dread driving home with disappointment. You hate the feeling of being out of control of your own life. What if this could change? What would it look like for this day to be more productive...