"Whether counseling, preaching, witnessing, or parenting, all Christian ministry ought to be done with profound dependence on God. We desperately need supernatural power. Understanding this changes everything." Jake serves in the church’s counseling ministry. He meets weekly with a young man who has a porn problem. They read Scripture and pray together. The counselee feels…
How To's
10 Mistakes Novice Preachers Make
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…
Sometimes It’s OK to Let a Church Die
A lot of energy and money can go into keeping a church on life support. But what if it would be better to let that church experience death with dignity so that it can have a lasting legacy? A dying church doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a failing church. Should you let a church die?…
Technology: Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should
I’m fascinated as I watch folks using technology across the social spectrum. I see folks at the airport fumbling with getting their boarding pass on their phone, I see folks at the checkout line trying to use Apple Pay, I see folks at the gas station trying to get the pump to accept their payment…
Does Your Church Plant Need Cyber Liability Insurance?
Many churches, ministries, and non-profits are starting to wrestle with the need for any kind of cyber liability insurance. This is a good thing to wrestle with and often generates more questions than answers. To be clear, I’m a tech guy, not a lawyer or an insurance representative but I am often asked about the…
Three Types of People in Every Church – Who Should You Embrace?
In Judson Edward’s book, The Leadership Labyrinth, he describes 21 paradoxes in ministry. He defines the ‘relationship paradox’ in this way: the people who like you the most will be the ones you try least to please. He then writes that these three kinds of people fill every church. His insights are quite helpful. The energizers: their very…
