Over the years I’ve coached dozens of novice preachers. It usually takes years of development and practice to become a really good preacher. Along the way, there are numerous mistakes to overcome. The following is a list of the top ten mistakes that, in my observation, are the most common. If you’re struggling with any…
Jesus is not a private savior because sin is not a private problem. Sin is a communal problem, so we need a communal solution. Because salvation isn’t done in secret. Salvation is a public event, drawing the attention of those still held captive so that they too can call on Jesus. Because when our story…
Preaching is the art of provoking hearts and minds toward Jesus and his kingdom. I believe it’s an art because I’m convinced it’s similar to painting or composing music. You can take a class on painting and learn the basic mechanics of brush strokes, but that’s way different than being Monet. Good preaching takes a…
Most of us have taken down our Christmas decorations. I heard a survey that said 14% of people leave them up through Valentine’s. Go for it. But most of us, at least in the church world, are beginning to think about our next big season – Easter 2020. It’s been said the early bird gets…
Use this free sermon kit to be ready for one of the biggest movie debuts of 2020. On March 13 the movie “I Still Believe,” the real-life story of chart-topping singer Jeremy Camp is coming to theaters. The film, made by the creators of the movie “I Can Only Imagine,” is a powerful reminder that in the midst of…
Today is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the United States. Everyone reveres the prophet after he’s dead. Whoever the prophet might be, in his day the prophet is rejected, ridiculed, scorned, misunderstood, misquoted, vilified, and in some cases shot in the head. In predictable Biblical tradition we in the U.S. have honored…
The Holy Spirit is doing so many things--in so many places! The crucial question is: can we see it? In some places his power is knocking people down. In other places his power is making people stand tall and strong. In some places the Holy Spirit is giving people loud voices. In other places he’s causing…
I've learned by experience there are two important questions every leader needs to ask. Recently, I’ve sat in several meetings or talked with different leaders, and the same situation has been repeating itself. Imagine this scenario. A team or church feels like they need to hire someone or add someone to the team, so they…
Friends, let me tell you: the struggle is real. We all go through challenges. Because you’ve chosen to step in, or move into, the position of a leader, you’re experiencing more struggle than the average person. Not only do you have the weight of your personal life on your shoulders, but you also have the…
Here are the funniest questions I received as a church planter: “When are you going to build a church?” I always thought, “Well, that’s what we are doing now meeting in this high school.” (Oh, you mean a building, but, of course, you’d agree the church is not the building, right? ) “Are you going to…
