Rivendell, an Elven realm in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, is a beautiful haven of rest – a place protected from the dangers plaguing Middle Earth. In the Fellowship of the Ring, Tolkien describes the peace that Frodo and his companions experience in Rivendell after narrowly escaping the evil forces bent on destroying […]
Understanding God’s call on our lives is an important part of living fulfilled and productive lives as Christians. Of course, Scripture describes God’s moral calling for every Christian. Biblical principles guide us as to how we should live. Yet, it would seem that God also has a more specific calling for each person – a […]
When I first created my personal timeline, I experienced affirmation, healing, and a greater sense of God’s movement in my life. At times, I felt sad over missed opportunities or painful situations. Yet, I also rejoiced, as I saw God mixing the defining moments and seasons into something good. In the Old Testament, the Israelites […]
Over the centuries, Christians have used a Rule of Life to support their spiritual growth. A Rule of Life is an intentional plan to deepen our relationship with God and to receive more from Him (e.g. strength, wisdom) so that we can love and serve Him more effectively. Just like a grape vine needs a […]
Whether it’s with a ministry team at church or with our own families, we regularly find ourselves trying to discern God’s will with others. In this blog, I will outline ten principles for helping us find God’s way together. Principle #1 – Encourage spiritual growth It’s important that we recognize that what people bring into […]
As a seminary professor, church leader and former pastor, I am keenly aware that many Christians have a very negative view of “church politics.” Church leaders often feel confused or even paralyzed by the power dynamics at play in their churches. Those same leaders are often ill-equipped to use and help others use power in […]
Church leaders sometimes ask me, “How do we develop a discipleship strategy in our church?” To begin to answer this question, we need to define two important terms and address some other questions first. What is Discipleship? Discipleship is both relational and transformational. A disciple of Jesus is in a growing relationship with Jesus. Transformation […]
